Spinach or not?

[Randolyn]

Maybe a silly question but is spinach good for making a green smoothie? I have read about it containing a lot of oxalic acid. Does that make it not suitable for a smoothie?

[SamuelWilson]

Spinach is great for making a smoothie. I make a spinach smoothie with peaches that is great. You just mix 3 peaches with a handful of spinach and just enough water to give it the right consistency.

[Rawkinlocs]

If you use baby leaf spinach, it is much lower in oxalic acid than mature spinach. I use it, but try to switch up between that and other greens just to be on the safe-side.

[Angelina]

I buy those bags of baby spinach, throw the whole thing in the blender with some water, a mango and two bananas....YUMMY..... I alternate my greens every day also, for the vitamin/mineral content and also so I don't get bored!!

[tracyinfo]

I agree with Angelina. Alternate your greens, whether it is daily, weekly or monthly. Just do it! Alternate your greens.

Blessings.

[Arky]

I totally agree, and here's a related thread:

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6898


J.

[TimmyC]

I totally agree...yeah spinach, broccoli, kale, and other fun greens.


They rawk, and will keep you healthy and happy!!

Well said everyone!!

[Migrou]

What's the danger with oxalic acid?

Michelle

[Sharon in Colorado]

This may seem like a rant, but it's really meant to look at this issue from another perspective.

It seems that if we are on raw food vs. SAD that we always are better off.

What was in all those hamburgers that we ate for years and years? Those french fries? All that lunch meat?

What was in those twinkies? That cake? Those cookies?

What was in that soda? All that coffee we've had over the years?

What about all the MSG we've been consuming with processed or soy foods?

How is a little oxalic acid from a natural & edible plant going to effect us when we are still getting rid of the toxins from all the unnatural food we ate all these years; the unnatural indoor air we breathe and unnatural pharmaceuticals we've taken?

I'd like to know.

[TimmyC]

http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/Data/Other/oxalic.html (http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/Data/Other/oxalic.html)

Shows how many grams per 100g all these vegetables we eat contain.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002479.htm (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002479.htm)
shows where oxalic acid is found in poisonous quantities:
Where Found


Some bleaches
Some anti-rust products (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002770.htm)
Some metal cleaners
Rhubarb leaves (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002876.htm)


Note: This list may not be all inclusive



some great history info: http://www.rhubarbinfo.com/rhubarb-poison.html (http://www.rhubarbinfo.com/rhubarb-poison.html)

The biodynamic (toxicity) mechanism by which oxalic acid works is somewhat different from organic poisons and is more analogous to heavy metal poisoning. Organic poisons often work through at the biochemical level, e.g. cyanide by interfering with respiration at the cellular level, strychnine by screwing up intersynaptic transmission. There are many molecular substances in foods which offer no nutritional benefit, and must be processed and excreted. Oxalic acid, for example, is excreted in the urine, and its crystals are commonly found in microscopic urinalysis. Too much oxalic acid in the urine will result in kidney or bladder stones. Calcium combines with oxalic acid to form the less soluble salt, calcium oxalate, which is also found in kidney stones. Plant leaves, especially rhubarb, cabbage, spinach, and beet tops, contain oxalic acid. Oxalic acid is also found in potatoes and peas. Vitamin C is metabolized to oxalic acid; it contributes to over-saturation of the urine with crystals and possibly to stone formation.

...it goes on and on about it found in Rhubarb, but it applies informationally to other plants/vegies.

You decide :).

Tim

[lady godiva]

LOL Sharon!!! so, so, so true!!! so what's a little oxalic acid between friends???

everyone else, what greens do you alternate exactly? has anyone had
Calcium Soup with kale and other yummy stuff?

CALCIUM SOUP
10 kale leaves
1 handful of parsley
2 cloves of garlic
1/3 of a red onion
2 lemons
1 avocado
1 tomato
2 yellow bell peppers
1 handful of dulse strips or spirulina flakes
1/2 teaspoon celtic sea salt
1 tablespoon of unpasteurized miso
3 tablespoons flax oil or garlic-chili flax oil
20 pumpkin seeds.

Shave the outer skin of the lemons leaving the white pith intact. While blending all the ingredients, add distilled water to reach a thick, soupy consistency. This is a great raw soup for kids! An excellent way to introduce important heavy minerals and calcium into the diet.

- from David Wolfe's "Sunfood Diet System"

says Hil - it tastes differently than you might think; I was pleasantly surprised.
I don't even like kale but the soup is TOTALLY delicious!

[TimmyC]

I rotate kale, broccoli, and spinich...I really like kale.

[WONDERFULLYWICCAN24]

Hi,

Just Wanted To Let You Know That Eating Spinach If You Think You Have A Bladder Infection Or If You Do Indeed Have On Is Not Good. I Go To A Naturopathic Doctor And Had A Uri, And She Totally Took Me Off The Spinach. She Also Said That The Baby Spinach Is Much, Much Better For Your Overall Health. Just A Bit Of Advice!! :)

[sweetgoddess]

SHaron, GREAT post!!