FIGS

I love keeping my food local as much as I can, but there are a few things I haven't been able to replace. One of them being figs. Dried figs. Fresh figs. I love it all, and I'll pay whatever price for the perfect one.

So the other night when I was in California, a bunch of pals and I were finishing dinner in their backyard which backs onto some wild land. Raccoons catch my eye as they are dining on something on the other side of the fence. On investigation the next morning I find it is a Kadota fig tree! It was so tasty.

Figs (Ficus) are an excellent source of soluble fibre, and are rich in minerals including potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron and copper, and vitamins A, E and K.

Soluble fibre binds to cholesterol in the digestive tract which helps to reduce cholesterol and prevent heart disease. Its slow absorption in the digestive tract also minimizes spikes in blood sugar levels, making it useful in the management of diabetes and weight.

I’m a big believer that food is our medicine. By focusing on the sourcing of our food and how we build our meals, reliance on supplementation can be minimized and your health optimized. Conditions like cardiovascular disease and diabetes can be significantly, if not entirely managed through your diet.

Want to learn more about how your diet can be modified to optimize your health? Or tired of taking too many supplements and want to get it from your food? Feel free to reach out or book an appointment if you are located in Toronto or with your local naturopathic doctor.

Dr. Cristina Allen ND
Naturopathic Doctor