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Understanding the 3 NEW MyWW Weight Watchers Reimagined Freestyle ZeroPoint Foods LISTS

Understanding the 3 NEW MyWW Weight Watchers Reimagined Freestyle ZeroPoint Foods LISTS

myWW ZeroPoint Foods

ZeroPoint foods are super-flexible and can be used in lots of delicious (and unexpected) ways! These foods form the foundation of a healthy eating pattern, so they don’t need to be measured or tracked. The new myWW is the groundbreaking, most customized program ever offered. On myWW, each plan has different items that are designated as ZeroPoint foods. If you are not familiar with ZeroPoint foods, be sure to check out this post where I explain what they are.

When it comes to losing weight, everyone’s needs are different. What works well for one person may not work as well for you. While Weight Watchers (Reimagined) has always offered a personalized SmartPoints Budget based on age, weight, height, and sex, now you have the option of three unique ways to experience the WW journey. And if you find that your plan is no longer working for your life, you have the ability to switch to one of the other plans! I love that all three plans are equally flexible, simple, and effective when it comes to losing weight. Each one just helps you get there in a different way.

Each food plan has a unique balance of SmartPoints and ZeroPoint™ foods.

With myWW Green you’ve got the largest number of SmartPoints to spend on any food you choose, and 100+ ZeroPoint foods (fruits and non-starchy veggies) that are zero!

GREEN ZEROPOINT LIST

FRUITS

Apples

Applesauce, unsweetened

Apricots, fresh

Bananas

Blackberries

Blueberries

Cantaloupe

Cherries

Clementines

Cranberries, fresh

Dragon fruit

Figs, fresh

Frozen mixed berries, unsweetened

Fruit cocktail, unsweetened

Fruit salad, unsweetened

Grapefruit

Grapes

Guava

Honeydew

Kiwi

Kumquats

Lemons

Limes

Mangoes

Meyer lemons

Nectarines

Oranges

Papayas

Peaches

Pears

Persimmons

Pineapples

Plums

Pomegranates

Pomelo

Raspberries

Star fruit

Strawberries

Tangerines

Watermelon

VEGETABLES (NON-STARCHY)

Acorn squash

Artichoke hearts, no oil

Artichokes

Arugula

Asparagus

Baby corn

Bamboo shoots

Basil

Beet greens

Beets

Bok choy

Broccoli

Broccoli rabe

Broccoli slaw

Brussels sprouts

Butter/Bibb lettuce

Butternut squash

Cabbage

Canned pimientos

Carrots

Cauliflower

Cauliflower rice

Celery

Chives

Cilantro

Coleslaw mix

Collard greens

Cucumber

Eggplant

Endive

Escarole

Fennel

Frozen stir-fry vegetables, no sauce

Garlic

Ginger

Green leaf lettuce

Hearts of palm

Iceberg lettuce

Jicama

Kale

Kohlrabi

Leeks

Mint

Mixed greens

Mushrooms

Mustard greens

Napa cabbage

Nori (seaweed)

Oakleaf lettuce

Okra

Onions

Oregano

Parsley

Pea shoots

Peppers

Pickles, unsweetened

Pico de gallo

Pumpkin

Pumpkin puree

Radishes

Red leaf lettuce

Romaine lettuce

Rosemary

Rutabaga

Salsa, fat-free

Sauerkraut

Scallions

Shallots

Spaghetti squash

Spinach

String beans

Summer squash

Swiss chard

Tarragon

Thyme

Tomatillos

Tomato puree, canned

Tomato sauce, canned

Tomatoes

Turnips

Water chestnuts

Wax beans

Zucchini

With myWW Blue you’ve got a moderate amount of SmartPoints to spend on any food you choose, and 200+ fruits, veggies, lean proteins, and more that are zero points!

BLUE ZEROPOINT LIST
INCLUDES EVERYTHING ON THE GREEN LIST PLUS

VEGETABLES (STARCHY)

Canned corn

Corn

Green peas

Parsnips

Peas

Split peas

Succotash

BEANS & LEGUMES

Adzuki beans

Alfalfa sprouts

Bean sprouts

Black beans

Black-eyed peas

Cannellini beans

Chickpeas

Edamame

Fava beans

Great Northern beans

Hominy

Kidney beans

Lentils

Lima beans

Lupini beans

Navy beans

Pinto beans

Refried beans, canned, fat-free

Soy beans

CHICKEN & TURKEY BREAST

Ground chicken breast

Ground turkey, 98% fat-free

Ground turkey breast

Skinless chicken breast

Skinless turkey breast

EGGS

Egg substitute

Egg whites

Egg yolks

Eggs

FISH/SHELLFISH

Abalone

Alaskan king crab

Anchovies, in water

Arctic char

Bluefish

Branzino

Butterfish

Canned tuna, in water

Carp

Catfish

Caviar

Clams

Cod

Crabmeat, lump

Crayfish

Cuttlefish

Dungeness crab

Eel

Fish roe

Flounder

Grouper

Haddock

Halibut

Herring

Lobster

Mahi mahi

Monkfish

Mussels

Octopus

Orange roughy

Oysters

Perch

Pike

Pollock

Pompano

Salmon

Sardines, canned in water or sauce

Sashimi

Scallops

Sea bass

Sea cucumber

Sea urchin

Shrimp

Smelt

Smoked haddock

Smoked salmon

Smoked sturgeon

Smoked trout

Smoked whitefish

Snails

Snapper

Sole

Squid

Steelhead trout

Striped bass

Sturgeon

Swordfish

Tilapia

Trout

Tuna

Turbot

Wahoo

Whitefish

TOFU & TEMPEH

Firm tofu

Silken tofu

Smoked tofu

Soft tofu

Tempeh

 

With myWW Purple you’ve got a small number of SmartPoints to spend on any food you choose and 300+ ZeroPoint foods that are zero!

PURPLE ZEROPOINT  LIST
INCLUDES EVERYTHING ON THE GREEN AND BLUE LISTS PLUS

POTATOES & SWEET POTATOES

Baby potatoes

Baked potatoes

Baked sweet potatoes

Canned sweet potato, unsweetened

Cassava

Fingerling potatoes

Frozen potatoes, prepared without fat

Idaho potatoes

Japanese sweet potato

Mashed potatoes, plain

Mashed sweet potatoes, plain

New potatoes

Oven-roasted potato wedges, without oil

Oven-roasted sweet potato fries, without oil

Purple potatoes

Red potatoes

Roasted potatoes, without oil

Roasted sweet potatoes, without oil

Russet potatoes

Sweet potatoes

Taro

White potatoes

Yams

Yellow potatoes

Yucca

Yukon gold potatoes

WHOLE-WHEAT PASTA & GRAINS

Air-popped popcorn, no oil or sugar

Air-popped popcorn, no oil or sugar, with salt and/or spices

Amaranth

Ancient grain mix, no seeds

Barley

Black bean pasta

Brown basmati rice

Brown rice

Brown rice cereal, 100%

Brown rice noodles

Brown rice pasta

Brown rice–quinoa blend

Buckwheat

Buckwheat soba noodles

Bulgur

Chickpea pasta

Corn pasta

Edamame pasta

Farro

Freekeh

Instant brown rice

Instant oatmeal, plain

Kamut

Kasha

Lentil pasta

Millet

Oatmeal, plain

Oats

Pea pasta

Popcorn kernels for at-home popping

Quick-cooking barley

Quick-cooking brown rice

Quick-cooking regular oats

Quick-cooking steel-cut oats

Quinoa

Quinoa pasta

Red quinoa

Rolled oats

Rye berries

Shirataki noodles

Sorghum

Soybean pasta

Spelt

Spelt berries

Steel-cut oats

Teff

Thai brown rice

Tri-color quinoa

Wheat berries

Whole-grain pasta

Whole-grain sorghum

Whole-wheat couscous

Whole-wheat pasta

Wild rice

Wild rice–brown rice blend

My Weight Watchers Freestyle Journey Has Begun! + FREE Online SmartPoints Calculator Get a FREE month!

Alphabetical List of 200 Weight Watchers Reimagined Freestyle Zero Point Foods

ZeroPoint Foods

I want to take a few minutes to explain what ZeroPoint Foods are for those who are not familiar with them. For many years one of the main features of the Weight Watchers program has been their point system. All foods are given a points value and your goal is to stay within your daily points allowance. Now with the Weight Watchers Freestyle program, many foods such as lean proteins, eggs, beans, lentils, tofu, nonfat plain yogurt, veggies, and fruit are called ZeroPoint Foods. The foods on this list form the foundation of a healthy eating pattern, so you don’t need to weigh, measure, or track any of them. They are a great way to stay within your daily points budget. 

ZeroPoint Vegetables – You can enjoy most non-starchy vegetables for zero points on the plan. You will have to count any oil or butter the vegetables are cooked with. This includes fresh, frozen, and canned vegetables as long as they aren’t packed with any additional oil, sugars, or fats. There are a few vegetables that are not zero points including potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams, parsnips, cassava, mushy peas, yuca, and olives.

ZeroPoint Fruits –  Almost all fruits are zero points but they should be eaten in moderation since they can quickly add up and slow your weight loss. This includes fresh fruit as well as frozen, canned, or jarred fruit as long as it doesn’t have added sugar. However, avocados, plantains, and any fruit that is made into a drink or smoothie are not ZeroPoint foods. This is because a smoothie contains much more fruit than you would normally eat in one sitting. For example, you would not normally eat several whole fruits, a cup berries, and some pineapple in one sitting but is common to have all this and more in a large smoothie.

ZeroPoint Condiments, Flavor Enhancers, and Spices – The WWFreestyle program also includes as ZeroPoint Foods spices, low calorie, low sugar condiments, and many of the things that we use to enhance the flavor of foods. Some of them are vinegars, broth, fresh and dried spices and rubs, mustard, hot sauce, capers, and salsa. Note: These are zero points when used in small amounts but if you are using more in a recipe you may have to count the points.

Alphabetical List of ZeroPoint Foods

A
  • Apples
  • Applesauce, unsweetened
  • Apricots
  • Arrowroot
  • Artichoke hearts
  • Artichokes
  • Arugula
  • Asparagus
B
  • Bamboo shoots
  • Banana
  • Beans, including adzuki, black, broad (fava), butter, cannellini, cranberry (Roman), green, garbanzo (chickpeas), great northern, kidney, lima, lupini, mung, navy, pink, small white, snap, soy, string, wax, white
  • Beans, refried, fat-free, canned
  • Beets
  • Berries, mixed
  • Blackberries
  • Blueberries
  • Broccoli
  • Broccoli rabe
  • Broccoli slaw
  • Broccolini
  • Brussels sprouts
C
  • Cabbage, all varieties including Chinese (bok choy), Japanese, green, red, napa, savory, pickled
  • Calamari, grilled
  • Cantaloupe
  • Carrots
  • Cauliflower
  • Caviar
  • Celery
  • Swiss chard
  • Cherries
  • Chicken breast, ground, 98% fat-free
  • Chicken breast or tenderloin, skinless, boneless or with bone
  • Clementines
  • Coleslaw mix (shredded cabbage and carrots), packaged
  • Collards
  • Corn, baby (ears), white, yellow, kernels, on the cob
  • Cranberries
  • Cucumber
D
  • Daikon
  • Dates, fresh
  • Dragon fruit
E
  • Edamame, in pods or shelled
  • Egg substitutes
  • Egg whites
  • Eggplant
  • Eggs, whole, including yolks
  • Endive
  • Escarole
F
  • Fennel (anise, sweet anise, or finocchio)
  • Figs
  • Fish: anchovies, arctic char, bluefish, branzino (sea bass), butterfish, carp, catfish, cod, drum, eel, flounder, grouper, haddock, halibut, herring, mackerel, mahimahi (dolphinfish), monkfish, orange roughy, perch, pike, pollack, pompano, rainbow trout (steelhead), rockfish, roe, sablefish (including smoked), salmon (all varieties), salmon, smoked (lox), sardines, sea bass, smelt, snapper, sole, striped bass, striped mullet, sturgeon (including smoked); white sucker, sunfish (pumpkinseed), swordfish, tilapia, tilefish, tuna (all varieties), turbot, whitefish (including smoked), whitefish and pike (store-bought), whiting
  • Fish fillet, grilled with lemon pepper
  • Fruit cocktail
  • Fruit cup, unsweetened
  • Fruit salad
  • Fruit, unsweetened
 
G
  • Garlic
  • Ginger root
  • Grapefruit
  • Grapes
  • Greens: beet, collard, dandelion, kale, mustard, turnip
  • Greens, mixed baby
  • Guavas
  • Guavas, strawberry

 

H
  • Hearts of palm (palmetto)
  • Honeydew melon
 
J
  • Jackfruit
  • Jerk chicken breast
  • Jerusalem artichokes (sunchokes)
  • Jicama (yam bean)
K
  • Kiwifruit
  • Kohlrabi
  • Kumquats
L
  • Leeks
  • Lemon
  • Lemon zest
  • Lentils
  • Lettuce, all varieties
  • Lime
  • Lime zest
  • Litchis (lychees)
M
  • Mangoes
  • Melon balls
  • Mung bean sprouts
  • Mung dal
  • Mushroom caps
  • Mushrooms, all varieties including brown, button, crimini, Italian, portabello, shiitake
N
  • Nectarine
  • Nori seaweed
 
O
  • Okra
  • Onions
  • Oranges, all varieties including blood
P
  • Papayas
  • Parsley
  • Passion fruit
  • Pea shoots
  • Peaches
  • Peapods, black-eye
  • Pears
  • Peas and carrots
  • Peas: black-eyed, chickpeas (garbanzo), cowpeas (blackeyes, crowder, southern), young pods with seeds, green, pigeon, snow (Chinese pea pods); split, sugar snap
  • Peppers, all varieties
  • Pepperoncini
  • Persimmons
  • Pickles, unsweetened
  • Pico de gallo
  • Pimientos, canned
  • Pineapple
  • Plumcots (pluots)
  • Plums
  • Pomegranate seeds
  • Pomegranates
  • Pomelo (pummelo)
  • Pumpkin
  • Pumpkin puree
R
  • Radicchio
  • Radishes
  • Raspberries
  • Rutabagas
S
  • Salad, mixed greens
  • Salad, side, without dressing, fast food
  • Salad, three-bean
  • Salad, tossed, without dressing
  • Salsa verde
  • Salsa, fat free
  • Salsa, fat free; gluten-free
  • Sashimi
  • Satay, chicken, without peanut sauce
  • Satsuma mandarin
  • Sauerkraut
  • Scallions
  • Seaweed
  • Shallots
  • Shellfish: abalone, clams, crab (including Alaska king, blue, dungeness, lump crabmeat, queen) crayfish, cuttlefish, lobster (including spiny lobster), mussels, octopus, oysters, scallops, shrimp, squid
  • Spinach
  • Sprouts, including alfalfa, bean, lentil
  • Squash, summer (all varieties including zucchini)
  • Squash, winter (all varieties including spaghetti)
  • Starfruit (carambola)
  • Strawberries
  • Succotash
T
  • Tangelo
  • Tangerine
  • Taro leaves and shoots
  • Tofu, all varieties
  • Tofu, smoked
  • Tomatillos
  • Tomato puree
  • Tomato sauce
  • Tomatoes, all varieties including plum, grape, cherry
  • Turkey breast, ground, 98% fat-free
  • Turkey breast or tenderloin, skinless, boneless or with bone
  • Turkey breast, skinless, smoked
  • Turnips
V
  • Vegetable sticks
  • Vegetables, mixed
  • Vegetables, stir fry, without sauce
W
  • Water chestnuts
  • Watercress
  • Watermelon
Y
  • Yogurt, Greek, plain, nonfat, unsweetened
  • Yogurt, plain, nonfat, unsweetened
  • Yogurt, soy, plain
 

ZeroPoint Foods List by Category 

ZeroPoint Dairy

  • Yogurt, Greek, plain, nonfat, unsweetened
  • Yogurt, plain, nonfat, unsweetened
  • Yogurt, soy, plan

ZeroPoint Beans and Legumes

  • Beans (refried, fat-free-canned)
  • Beans (adzuki, black, broad/fava, butter, cannellini, cranberry, green, garbanzo, great northern, kidney, lima, lupini, mung, navy, pink, small white, snap, soy, string, wax, white)
  • Chickpeas (garbanzo)
  • Edamame
  • Lentils
  • Mung dal
  • Salad, three-bean
  • Succotash

ZeroPoint Fruits

  • Apples
  • Apricots
  • Banana
  • Beets
  • Berries, mixed
  • Blackberries
  • Blueberries
  • Cherries
  • Cantaloupe
  • Clementines
  • Cranberries
  • Figs
  • Guavas
  • Grapes
  • Grapefruit
  • Kumquats
  • Melon
  • Honeydew
  • Jackfruit
  • Kiwifruit
  • Lemon
  • Lime
  • Litchis
  • Mangoes
  • Melon balls
  • Nectarine
  • Oranges
  • Papayas
  • Passion fruit
  • Peaches
  • Pears
  • Persimmons
  • Pineapple
  • Plumcots
  • Plums
  • Pomegranate seeds
  • Pomegranates
  • Pomelo
  • Pumpkin
  • Raspberries
  • Satsuma mandarin
  • Starfruit
  • Strawberries
  • Tangelo
  • Tangerine
  • Watermelon

ZeroPoint Proteins

  • Chicken breast, ground 98% fat-free
  • Chicken breast or tenderloin (skinless, boneless or with bone)
  • Egg substitutes
  • Eggs
  • Jerk chicken breast
  • Satay, chicken, without peanut sauce
  • Tofu, all varieties
  • Turkey breast, ground, 98% fat-free
  • Turkey breast or tenderloin, skinless, boneless or on the bone
  • Turkey breast, skinless, smoked
  • ZeroPoint Seafood
  • Calamari (grilled)
  • Caviar
  • Fish (anchovies, arctic char, bluefish, branzino ((sea bass)), butterfish, carp, catfish, cod, drum, eel, flounder, grouper, haddock, halibut, herring, mackerel, mahimahi ((dolphinfish)), monkfish, orange roughy, perch, pike, pollack, pompano, rainbow trout ((steelhead)), rockfish, roe, sablefish ((including smoked)), salmon ((all varieties)), salmon, smoked ((lox)), sardines, sea bass, smelt, snapper, sole, striped bass, striped mullet, sturgeon ((including smoked)); white sucker, sunfish ((pumpkinseed)), swordfish, tilapia, tilefish, tuna ((all varieties)), turbot, whitefish ((including smoked)), whitefish and pike ((store-bought)), whiting)
  • Shellfish: abalone, clams, crab (including Alaska king, blue, dungeness, lump crabmeat, queen) crayfish, cuttlefish, lobster (including spiny lobster), mussels, octopus, oysters, scallops, shrimp, squid
  • Sashimi

ZeroPoint Sauces and Condiments

  • Lemon zest
  • Lime zest
  • Pico de gallo
  • Pumpkin puree
  • Salsa, verde
  • Salsa, fat free
  • Sauerkraut
  • Tomato puree
  • Tomato sauce

Note: There are plenty of other spices and seasonings that have a 0 SmartPoints value but aren’t considered ZeroPoint foods. Only foods that form the building blocks of healthy habits are included in the ZeroPoint foods list. 

ZeroPoint Vegetables

  • Arrowroot 
  • Artichoke Hearts
  • Arugula
  • Artichokes
  • Artichoke Hearts
  • Bamboo Shoot
  • Beets
  • Broccoli
  • Broccoli rabe
  • Broccoli slaw
  • Broccolini
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Bok choy
  • Cabbage
  • Carrots
  • Cauliflower
  • Celery 
  • Corn (baby, white, yellow, kernels, on the cob)
  • Collards
  • Coleslaw mix
  • Eggplant
  • Escarole
  • Endive
  • Fennel
  • Garlic 
  • Ginger root 
  • Greens: beet, collard, dandelion, kale, mustard, turnip
  • Greens, mixed baby
  • Hearts of palm 
  • Jerusalem artichoke (sunchoke)
  • Jicama
  • Kohlrabi
  • Leeks
  • Lettuce
  • Mung bean sprouts
  • Mushroom caps
  • Mushrooms (all varieties)
  • Okra
  • Onions
  • Parsley
  • Pea shoots
  • Peapods
  • Peas and carrots
  • Peas (black-eyed, cowpeas (blackeyes, crowder, southern), young pods with seeds, green, pigeon, snow (Chinese pea pods); split, sugar snap)
  • Peppers
  • Pepperoncini
  • Pickles
  • Pimientos
  • Radishes
  • Radicchio
  • Rutabagas
  • Salad, mixed greens
  • Salad, without dressing
  • Scallions
  • Seaweed/ Nori seaweed
  • Shallots
  • Spinach
  • Sprouts
  • Squash, summer (all varieties)
  • Squad, winter (all varieties)
  • Swiss chard
  • Taro leaves and shoots
  • Tomatoes, all varieties
  • Turnips
  • Vegetable sticks
  • Vegetables, mixed
  • Vegetables, stir fry, without sauce
  • Water chestnuts
  • Watercress

Some fruits and vegetables contain SmartPoints values. These include: 

  • Avocados
  • Cassava/Yuca/Plantains
  • Olives
  • Parsnips
  • Potatoes
  • Sweet potato
  • Yams

My Weight Watchers Freestyle Journey Has Begun! + FREE Online SmartPoints Calculator Get a FREE month!

This Bold Coffee Sampler Offers So Much Delicious Coffee Flavor!

Bold Coffee Sampler
So Much Delicious Coffee Flavor!

Light, medium, and dark roast coffees can be very different in taste, flavor, body, and complexity because different amounts of roasting produce distinct characteristics. Which has more caffeine? If you measure your coffee by scoops, light roasted coffee will have more caffeine. Given the beans are denser than a darker roast. However, if you weigh out your scoops, darker roasts will have more caffeine, because there is less mass. So the big difference between the roasts is in taste, not the amount of caffeine kick!

Marcus, who loves dark roast coffee, was pleased to learn that he doesn’t have to sacrifice the big flavor that he enjoys to get the caffeine he wants! If like Marcus, you also prefer the richer and more robust flavors that come from the extra coffee in a bold single serve k-cup, this sampler box with its variety of multilayered, full-bodied medium and dark roast coffees is the perfect match for you. Yes, it’s true! Each cup in this pack has slightly more coffee than regular single serve cups; making it a stronger brewed coffee.

What They Say About This Bold Coffee Sampler

Two Rivers Coffee manufactures over a hundred different coffees made with 100% Arabica beans that are roasted to perfection. Two Rivers sampler packs are a great way to find your perfect cup of coffee.

  • The Two Rivers Bold Roast Coffee Variety Pack sampler allows you to enjoy a wide selection of coffees without buying different boxes.
  • Perfect for lovers of good strong coffee.
  • Variety pack brands: Brooklyn Bean Roastery, Hamilton Mills, Java Factory, Workaholics, Realtree, Broad Street Roasters, Pier 3, and Fevo Italia.
  • Coffee Variety pack sampler has 40 pods of Extra Bold Coffees in Dark and Medium Roasts. 
  • Two Rivers Coffee pods are Compatible with 2.0 Keurig K-Cup Brewers.

It’s a Sad Day for Gilbert Gum Tree When He Runs Out Of Coffee!

Our thoughts on this Bold Coffee Sampler

It’s always exciting for us to receive coffee at our house, especially sampler boxes. Over the years we have tried many of Two Rivers Coffee Sampler Packs and every time we try one of their sampler packs we discover at least one new coffee that one of us becomes a huge fan of. Often these are coffees that neither of us would have tried otherwise. This box was no exception! We loved the diversity that greeted us in this 40-count single serve box from Two Rivers Coffee, a company near and dear to our caffeinated hearts. This box was full of quality tasting brews.

From Realtree, there was their double caffeinated coffee, Max. We found Heritage blend k-cups from Hamilton Mills. Java Factory didn’t disappoint with its Dark and Handsome and Da Bomb cups. Brooklyn Bean Roastery made the biggest showing in our box with a variety of Express-o, Cyclone, Pardon My French Roast, Fuhgeddaboutit, and Corner Donut Shop cups. Fevo Italia was represented with the inclusion of their Firenze and Trino cups. Broad Street Roasters single origin Brazil was included in the variety sampler. And, last but not least we found some Pier 3 Dark Premium coffee to try.

After trying the plethora of caffeinated wonder in this box, what’s our new love? At the risk of sounding bias, we’ve decided that we love them all. And yes, even I, have now fallen in love with the smooth burst of flavor that many of the coffees in this sampler deliver. 

We are very happy with the variety of assorted brands that were included in this sampler pack. Each one offers a complex flavor that is multilayered with notes that are unique to its origin. It will definitely be on our wishlist for future occasions.

You can purchase this Two Rivers Bold Coffee Sampler Box on Amazon.

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The Best Tea for Digestion – Ease Your Stomach with These Teas

Are you feeling bloated? Having stomach pains?
Some teas are particularly soothing and healing for the digestive system.

Sometimes black, green, and herbal teas can be a simple, natural solution that is gentle for your system and easy to incorporate in your daily routine. Plus a warm cup of tea not only soothes your stomach, it also gives you an overall feeling of wellbeing.

Tea: An Ancient Solution to Today’s Common Ailments

Ginger Tea

Offering a variety of health benefits and healing compounds to alleviate upset stomach, ginger tea has been used for thousands of years as a cure for nausea and digestive problems. While many people reach for the ginger ale when they have stomach pain or nausea, ginger tea contains higher concentrations of the compounds that alleviate these digestive issues. This makes it a better choice if you want to feel better faster.

Peppermint Tea

Peppermint has been shown to inhibit pain receptors originating in the colon that lead to severe pain in the stomach muscles. Tea made from peppermint leaves not only helps alleviate pain associated with menstrual cramps and nausea — it’s one of the best teas to settle your stomach. Peppermint tea is the tea to drink when you are nauseated and are suffering from stomach pains and cramps.

Holy Basil Tea

Holy Basil tea is not made with the same type of basil that you put in your spaghetti sauce. This tea is made from the plant commonly known as tulsi tea, Ocimum tenuflorum. It is used widely in Indian medicine and Ayurveda. Studies have shown holy basil tea has the ability to decrease stomach acid. And, to increase and extend the life of mucous cells, the surface cells that line the digestive tract and protect it from disease. Tulsi tea is often used to treat anxiety, adrenal fatigue, hypothyroidism, acne, blood sugar, and hair loss.

Anise Tea

Aside from the legendary aphrodisiac powers attributed to it in Ancient Rome, anise tea helps improve digestion, alleviate cramps, and reduce nausea. Anise can also help regulate menstruation, boost lactation, and can be used to relieve a toothache It has an expectorant effect on the respiratory system when congested.

Chamomile Tea

Made using the buds of chamomile flowers, chamomile tea is known worldwide as a soothing, relaxing brew. It is also one of the best home remedies for abdominal pain. This tea offers carminative properties, which help to reduce feelings of gas and bloating that can cause an upset stomach. By reducing abdominal gas, it helps alleviate pain caused by stomach cramps. This tea also contains anti-inflammatory properties which can help with irritable bowel syndrome.

Black Tea

Thanks to the presence of tannins and other chemicals that have a positive and relaxing effect on the digestive system of the body, black tea can help to relieve an upset stomach and diarrhea. Diarrhea occurs when the intestinal lining is inflamed and black tea helps reduce this inflammation. Since black tea reduces inflammation in the digestive tract, it is highly beneficial to anyone with acid reflux or ulcer issues. Depending on your caffeine tolerance, drink 1 or 2 cups per day.

Senna Tea

Senna tea is a powerful laxative tea that can help you deal with painful constipation. The leaves, flowers, and fruits of the senna plant have been used in tea as a laxative or stimulant for centuries. Be careful! It is recommended that you do not use senna for longer than 2 weeks at a time. It can also make birth control less effective, making it more likely for an accidental pregnancy to occur.

Papaya Leaf Tea

Papaya tea helps with your indigestion problems, especially excessive acid reflux. It also helps with weight control through the healthy effective elimination process. According to research, papaya leaf tea may also be a benefit for gastric ulcers. This tea is often described as very smooth, with a subtle bitterness that can be very stimulating. Additionally, papaya leaf tea is a natural energy drink, providing special protein-digesting enzymes papain and chymopapain that aid in healthy digestion. 

Green Tea

Green tea has been widely researched for its health benefits. Research has shown that it can help stimulate the production of gastric juices including bile, which can help to break down food more efficiently leading to fewer incidences of bloating and gas. Since green tea contains catechins including EGCG, which help to reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms of pain it can help to alleviate colitis and chronic gastritis. These two ailments are caused by inflammation and irritation in the stomach; which can affect digestion. It is recommended that you consume 2 to 3 cups of green tea per day to help improve digestion. You should drink it after each meal and not on an empty stomach as this can actually increase stomach problems. 

Lemongrass Tea

It has been shown that lemongrass tea works wonderfully as an alternative remedy for stomach cramping, upset stomach, and other digestive issues. In fact, several studies have shown that lemongrass tea can help relieve abdominal issues such as stomach cramps and pain. Studies have also shown that lemongrass can be effective in treating gastric ulcers. Lemongrass tea can also be used to help treat oral infections and cavities, thanks to its antimicrobial properties.

Fennel Tea

Fennel has long been associated with digestive and metabolic health. A cup of fennel tea, made from the seeds, fresh leaves, or the bulb, after a meal can treat digestive issues like heartburn, flatulence, bloating, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. Thanks to its estrogen-like chemicals, this tea can reduce menstrual cramps and symptoms of menopause. It may also increase lactation. Fennel tea tastes a little like licorice, with a relaxing scent and slightly bitter aftertaste. I must mention that some people are allergic to fennel. Make a cup (find directions here) and give it a smell, if it smells good then try it. If it doesn’t, Integrative Nutritionist Kimberly Lackey says to trust your nose and avoid it.

Many teas soothe symptoms of nausea, pain and excess gas while treating chronic diseases such as acid reflux and chronic gastritis. When you think of all the Chinese sages who’ve ingested probably thousands of cups of tea in their lifetimes, it’s no surprise that drinking tea can even help you live a long happy life. The protective role of tea consumption is not limited to a particular type of tea. Whether you want to cure nausea in a hurry or treat and prevent stomach ulcers, there’s a tea that’s right for you. So to boost your health from your brain down to your gut, drink high-quality tea every day.

If you know of a beneficial tea not included in this post, please share it with us! We are always excited to learn more about what our readers are using.


2 Weight Watchers Smartpoints Healthy Berry Probiotic Kefir Popsicles Recipe

Healthy Berry Probiotic Kefir Popsicles
 Looking for a great dessert or special treat? These make-ahead popsicles will disappear quickly. Learn how to make these healthy Kefir popsicles today.
 
We all know eating ice cream all the time isn’t the smartest option when it comes to being conscious about our food choices. If you happen to have a weak spot for ice cream or popsicles but don’t want all the yucky stuff that is found in most of them, these popsicles are a great alternative to satisfy that craving. Plus, these healthy Kefir popsicles are a great way to incorporate kefir’s probiotic health benefits into our diet. And sweet or tart, you can adjust the honey to suit your taste.
 

What you need for this recipe

3 C. Plain Unsweetened Kefir Cultured Milk Smoothie
1/2 – 3/4 C. Raw Honey
1 tsp. vanilla (optional) 
1 C. Fruit

How to make this recipe  
  • Place fruit into popsicle molds.
  • Blend kefir, vanilla, and honey in blender or ninja until smooth.
  • Pour into popsicle molds, insert sticks, and place in the freezer until frozen.
  • To unmold the popsicles, hold the mold under lukewarm water for a few seconds until the popsicles release.

Recipe Tips

You’ll need to scale the ingredient amounts to the size of your popsicle molds. The basic formula you’ll want to follow is 2/3 base + 1/3 fruit to fill each mold.

Always taste your mixture before freezing to make sure it’s a little sweeter than what you like. Remember that things are not as sweet to your taste buds when frozen.

I had fresh blackberries, raspberries, and pomergranate so that is what I put in these pops. You can use any fresh or frozen fruit that you enjoy. 

I used the smoothie cup that came with my Ninja to blend the kefir mixture. It makes just the right amount to fill my 6 molds.

If the pops aren’t completely frozen, they may break or may not come out of the molds completely.

Make Red, White, and Blue Popsicles: Place 1 pound strawberries, hulled and chopped, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons honey in blender and puree until smooth. Fill the into popsicle molds 1/3 full with the strawberry purée and freeze until it’s firm, about 2 hours. Next, whisk two tablespoons honey into 1 cup Plain Unsweetened Kefir Cultured Milk Smoothie until well-combined. Remove the popsicles from the freezer and create the middle layer by evenly spooning the sweetened kefir into each of the popsicles. Gently push blueberries into the middle layer leaving enough room in the mold for the final puree layer. Place back into the freezer and freeze until firm but still soft enough to be able to put the sticks in. For the final layer finish filling each mold with the remaining strawberry puree. Insert sticks and return to the freezer until all layers are set, preferably overnight.

Fun mix-ins: crushed peanut butter cup pieces, peanut butter poweder and chocolate chips, 2-3 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder per cup of kefir, add a pureed banana to the kefir mixture, crushed oreos, replace 1/3 the kefir with chopped mango, strawberries, peaches, or your favorite fruit for a fruity popsicle base, 

Make them fancy:  Pour melted chocolate into a tall, narrow glass, or something that fits the popsicle with just a little room around and dip your pop into it. Place in freezer on a baking sheet lined with parchment and then dip the next one. Repeat until you have dipped all the pops 3 – 4 times and there is a solid coating of chocolate on your popsicles. On the final dipping, gently roll your popsicle in your topping of choice. Chopped nuts, coconut, tiny candies, sprinkles, or dried fruit bits all make great toppings.

We have been using YS Eco Bee Farms Raw Honey for the last several years because we have found that it offers the maximum level of antioxidants and healing agents. This company is a pioneer in organic bee farming so their honey does not contain any pesticides, herbicides or pollutants. Two places that I know you can find it are on Amazon and Kroger Ship.

What is Kefir? Pronounced like Kee-fer Sutherland or Keh-fer that rhymes with Heifer, it is an amazing yogurt-like drink that has tons of health benefits. One of them being that it is loaded with probiotics that can boost our immune system.

In addition to these great popsicles, I’ve also been doing protein shakes. Have you started using protein powder? Do you know how many scoops you should be using a day? If you’ve got questions about adding protein powder into your diet, you gotta check out this informative post: https://totalshape.com/supplements/how-many-scoops-of-protein-powder/