This article first appeared in mindbodygreen.com and is written by Maria Benardis

The ancient Greeks introduced the world to the concept of energy and its effects on humans, animals, plants and health. We’re all connected spiritually by energy, whether we choose to believe it or not. We all form a part of the circle of life, which revolves in a circular motion with no beginning and no end, particularly when it comes to cooking, eating and respecting our food and where it comes from.

The ancient Greeks knew that if the food they were cooking had good energy and brought “agapi” (unconditional love), their dishes would be masterpieces and would heal them at the same time.

We’re all made of energy, and we therefore require the consumption of energy in the form of food, air and water for sustenance and good health. We also require thoughts made up of positive vibrational energy. The ancient Greeks would think good thoughts, live life with agapi and practice affirmations to assist with this process.

We can raise our energy vibration and better connect to ourselves, nature and God by eating highly nutritious energetic foods and eliminating unhealthy thoughts and relationships. Eating high-energy foods help us reach higher consciousness and better connect with our higher source.

When eating fresh organic fruits and vegetables off the tree, the vibrational energy benefit of the food is high and rich in nutrients from the sun. Most fast food restaurants, large grocery food chains, and even middle-of-the-road eateries offer food that is of a very low vibrational quality, which doesn’t add any valuable nutrients to the body. Eating high amounts of these foods can result in ill health.

Many rituals from ancient Greece continue to be practiced today to lift the vibrational frequency of food before it’s consumed. There are many songs and dances performed during preparation and cooking time, dishes are kissed and dishes are blessed. Food that’s prepared by loving hands adds to the good energy of the dish. Prepare food slowly, lovingly and peacefully. Above all, the Greeks show gratitude by giving thanks to God for his guidance and for the wonderful food they are about to enjoy. Gratitude, truth and love have the highest energy vibrations.

[cm_ad_changer campaign_id=”1″ debug=”0″]

Foods with high vibrational energy and nutrients include organic nuts, fruit, vegetables and fresh herbs. Keep to a minimum foods such as meat, poultry and sugar, and foods that are highly processed, microwaved, chemically altered, genetically altered (GMO), contain chemical additives or have being mistreated by a person. They have little or no good vibrational energy and nutrition to add to your body. When you eat meat or seafood, thank and bless the ingredients, because they’ve sacrificed their lives for our enjoyment.

To lift the energetic vibration of your food, give thanks and bless your food before eating, and even while preparing and cooking it to decrease the negative energy vibration justify on these ingredients when eating, it’s also important to create an ambience of peacefulness. Think positive thoughts and pour your own agapi energy into what you are eating.

Below is a summary of high- and low-energy foods:

High

Fresh, certified organic fruits and vegetables
Natural supplements, like spirulina
Herbal Teas
Herbs and spices
Pure or filtered water — reverse osmosis or freshly collected spring water are the best choices
Healthy oils, like olive oil and coconut oil
Nuts and seeds
Fermented foods
Raw chocolate
Raw honey and maple syrup
Legumes
Grains such as buckwheat, brown rice, amaranth, and spelt

Low

Genetically modified (GMO) food, and conventional food that’s been treated with chemicals and pesticides
White rice and flours
Sugars, sweeteners (artificial etc.)
Coffee
Sodas
Alcohol
Meat, fish and poultry
Processed, packaged, canned and fast foods
Unhealthy oils, like canola, cottonseed, margarine, and vegetable oils
Frozen foods
Pasteurized cows milk, yogurt and cheese
Cooked foods, deep fried foods and microwaving food

Maria Benardis is an award-winning author, health coach, teacher, chef and founder of Greekalicious, Sydney’s first exclusively Greek cooking school.