What Are The Benefits of Wheatgrass?

If you’ve read either of my books or done research on the healing benefits of juicing, or raw and living foods lifestyles, chances are you’ve heard of wheatgrass. It’s definitely a “superfood” that rocks, and has even been dubbed  “The Incredible Superfood”! There are many benefits to wheatgrass so be sure to read on and check out my “7 Mean ‘n’ Green Foods…” downloadable guide too (this info-packed guide is currently free for just signing up at the box on the right!).

History of Wheatgrass

Wheatgrass has been sold in the United States since around the 1930s, but it’s really began taking off and becoming even more popular in the past several years, and can now be found at many juice-bars and healthy lifestyle stores and restaurants.

The credit for the recent popularity actually started in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s, when a woman by the name of Ann Wigmore discovered the healing benefits of living foods – particularly wheatgrass – when she was diagnosed with cancer and was cancer-free within a year! Ann Wigmore woman really changed the world of eating a healthy, plant-based, living-foods lifestyle…with wheatgrass being the pinnacle of her healing regimen. The regular intake of wheatgrass for its healing properties can certainly be attributed to her.

What is Wheatgrass?

Wheatgrass is the “baby form” of wheat as most people know it, however, there is no gluten in wheatgrass. In more traditional diets, wheat is used only when it is fully mature and the seeds have completely formed. Wheatgrass, on the other hand, is freshly sprouted and still green!

Like plants and vegetables, wheatgrass contains chlorophyll – it’s actually 70 percent chlorophyll – yowsa! It also contains 17 amino acids, is rich in protein, is packed with enzymes and phytonutrients, and delivers vitamins A, B-complex, C, E and K. Not too shabby!

So How Do I Take Wheatgrass?

Because of all the valuable nutrients and health benefits, wheatgrass is quickly becoming the powerful force it was meant to be. It is also a powerful way to assist you in getting the recommended 5 to 9 servings of vegetables (not that green juicing doesn’t do this as well!).

When taking fresh wheatgrass, it either has to be juiced or, if you are “brave”, chewed and spit out (masticated). This is because our bodies cannot digest grasses! Once you get on the regimen, your body will start to cleanse itself of the many toxins associated with everyday life.

It is suggested you drink it straight with no other liquid, but for many (me included) this can be a bit difficult. So, you can also take it slightly diluted with your favorite green juice or use green juice as a “chaser.” Wheatgrass can be pretty strong tasting and some of you may experience a little bit of nausea when starting a wheat grass regimen – don’t worry! Sometimes it still upsets my stomach a little bit, but this is normal, because the release of all those toxins is sure to cause a little bit of queasiness. This will generally pass with regular intake of the wheatgrass shots.

So, if you are doing fresh wheatgrass shots, ideally you will drink a 2-ounce shot in the morning on an empty stomach, and it is suggested to do the same in the afternoon.

If you are having any issues with fresh wheatgrass – whether getting the fresh stuff, or being able to drink it completely due to overwhelming nausea or other issues – simply try a good powdered form (these do not seem to cause nausea at all!) – here is a link to my favorite, and one that comes highly recommended: Organic Wheatgrass Juice Powder.

Health Claims of Wheatgrass

In addition to the above nutritional info, wheatgrass is about the best source of chlorophyll you can find and is also a complete protein. Some of its health claims include cleanses and detoxifies the colon; reduces cholesterol, regulates blood sugar; reduces high blood pressure; increases hemoglobin production; enhances your immune system; and is potentially able to cure cancer!

Now that’s sexy!

Wheatgrass Resources

So, now that you know the benefits of wheatgrass, it’s time to give it a try!

Here is the best, affordable manual wheatgrass juicer – I also have this model:

Healthy Juicer – Manual Hand Powered Wheatgrass Juicer – Wheat grass juicer

To check out the best powdered wheatgrass check out this link:

Organic Wheatgrass Juice Powder

To check out Anne Wigmore’s book on wheatgrass check out this link:

The Wheatgrass Book: How to Grow and Use Wheatgrass to Maximize Your Health and Vitality (Avery Health Guides)

So, let me know about your wheatgrass experience! Leave a comment below and also, I would love it if you would share this post by simply clicking on your fav social media buttons right below here…..THANKS!

The Setup…

Let’s talk about your kitchen. The kitchen is often described as the heart of the home, and it’s definitely the heart of your green juicing endeavors. If you don’t have one already, I highly recommend starting a loving relationship with your kitchen…it’s definitely a relationship built to last!

Making your green juice isn’t an overly time-consuming endeavor, but you are going to need a little bit of work space. Designate a specific place for your “juicing station” – preferably close to the sink. You will also need room for your cutting board — I highly recommend a bamboo board dedicated only to raw veggies — and your juicer. Remember, while it is not a requirement to have these items out all the time, I guarantee that you will be more dedicated and therefore more successful on a daily basis — and overall, it will just make it simpler if you have a dedicated spot for everything!

So again, it’s easiest if your juicing station is located near the sink. Reason? Sink-board-juicer is ideal because you can rinse the veggies, chop them and then juice them in an assembly-line-esque manner. I even use an over-the-sink drainer to place my rinsed veggies in so the water mess is minimized and it takes us less space, but you can use any large colander or a towel on the countertop if that works best for you.

If you’re really limited on counter space, I highly recommend the compact Breville juicer, the over-the-sink drainer, and simply put your cutting board away at each day! All set to go!

Lastly, you will need to set up some dedicated space in your refrigerator. The best way to do this, is to clean out the old stuff that you are no longer using! I go through this step more in my 1:1 programs, which you can check out here.

What Else Do I Need?

So what else do you need besides the cutting board, drainer, juicer? You’ll definitely need a great knife — the best one you can afford! I personally have a large chef’s knife from Ikea that was actually not too expensive and I love it! A good knife will definitely speed up the process for you.

Other great things are: Produce bags and/or special refrigerator containers are also a major convenience because they help protect your green goodies from spoiling! Food waste bags to collect your pulp in…put it directly into your juicer pulp-catcher as they help minimize the clean-up and keep your garbage can from getting too “smelly”. Lastly, you may want to keep some canning jars on hand to store your green juice in in the fridge! Why? Because despite that it’s best to drink your juice straight from the juicer, it’s not always convenient with our busy lives. Canning jars have tight-fitting lids and are also convenient drinking cups – double score!

Your Juicing Station will be totally unique to you, but as long as you’ve got a great process and method that works, and you are juicing, that’s all that matters. Really.

Whatever it takes to get you juicing is all you need. Nothing more, nothing less. I am here to help you along the way…

For support and more tips you can pick up my Juice Yourself Healthy book right now or better yet….get the book AND how-to videos, plus some cool bonuses in my online, go-at-your-own-pace program called  The Juicing Experience.