Human Feed: what it is and what it is for

Human food is the name popularly given to the product made from a mixture of whole grains, flour, bran and other components. It is rich in antioxidants, protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals that are not normally found in regular food and can easily be included in the main meals of the day with the aim of increasing the benefits to the body.

This mixture is basically composed of: oats, brown sugar, cocoa powder, wheat fiber, soy powder, sesame, guarana, brewer’s yeast, linseed, quinoa and gelatin powder. It received this name in reference to animal feed, which is also obtained through a nutritious mixture of different foods.

Human food can be sold with the indication of replacing one or more daily meals, however, since 2011 ANVISA has warned that it is not recommended to replace a meal with human food, as even though it is a compound rich in several nutrients , it cannot meet all of the body’s nutritional needs. It is recommended to take it as a snack or with breakfast.

What is it for

Human food serves to enrich meals and promote healthier eating. Due to the large amount of whole grains and fiber present in the compound, the consumption of human food has several benefits, such as: weight control, improved bowel function, protection of heart health and control of menopausal symptoms.

1. Helps with weight control

The large amount of soluble fiber, mainly contained in oats, helps reduce gastric emptying, increasing satiety and reducing appetite. Other components of human food also help to speed up metabolism and stimulate digestion, such as cocoa powder, guarana powder, quinoa and linseed, for example.

Find out more simple tips on how to lose weight.

2. Helps regulate the intestine

Human food also contains a mix of cereals that are sources of insoluble fiber, mainly present in wheat fiber, flaxseed and quinoa. Insoluble fiber prevents constipation by increasing fecal volume and promoting bowel movements. The daily fiber recommendation is approximately 30g/day, which is difficult to achieve with a diet low in whole grains.

3. Helps control menopause

Among the components of human food are soy and flaxseed, two foods rich in isoflavones. Isoflavones are substances called phytoestrogens, as they are structurally very similar to the hormone estrogen and their consumption helps to reduce and regulate the symptoms caused by menopause. Learn more about menopause symptoms.

4. Reduces the risk of heart disease

Because it has a large amount of nutrients that have antioxidant activity and polyunsaturated fatty acids such as omega 3 and 6, for example, human food becomes a powerful protector of cardiovascular health, as it is possible to promote the regulation of cholesterol levels in the blood. , reduce triglyceride levels and help control blood pressure. Furthermore, antioxidants also prevent the emergence of chronic non-communicable diseases, such as obesity, hypertension and diabetes.

Where to buy

There are several versions and brands of human food, which differ in terms of the proportion and types of ingredients, preparation method and forms of consumption. Generally this type of product can be found in dietetics and some online stores.

However, it is possible to make human food at home, purchasing the ingredients separately.

How to make human food at home

To make human food at home is very simple, just follow the recommendations:

Ingredients:

• 250 g of wheat fiber;
• 125 g of soy milk powder;
• 125 g of brown flaxseed;
• 100 g of brown sugar;
• 100 g of rolled oats;
• 100 g of unpeeled sesame;
• 75 g of wheat germ;
• 50 g of unflavored gelatin;
• 25 g of guarana powder;
• 25 g of brewer’s yeast;
• 25 g of cocoa powder.

Preparation mode:

Mix all the recipe ingredients well, place in an airtight container, and store in the refrigerator. This recipe will yield 1kg.

This mixture can be added to meals or used to enrich fruit smoothies.

How to make fruit smoothies with human food

Ingredients

• 250 ml of skimmed milk or soy milk;
• 2 tablespoons of homemade compost;
• 1 cup (tea) of some chopped fruit.

Preparation mode:

Blend all ingredients in a blender, sweeten to taste with honey.