April 6, 2009

The summer season is slowly creeping upon us, and with it a bountiful supply of fresh fruits and vegetables! Remember to eat 5-10 servings of vegetables and fruit everyday. Produce in season at this time of year includes: berries, asparagus, rhubarb, avocados, beans, cucumber, broccoli, sweet peppers, spinach, sweet oranges, mango, papaya, peas and turnips!

March 30, 2009

Although diet and exercise are important aspects for treating obesity, they do not work alone. There are many psychological factors that play a role. For instance:

False Hope Syndrome – Dieters place unrealistic expectations about changing aspects of oneself, based on false promises of fast, easy and long-term results conveyed by many diets. These contribute to the failure of the effort, leading to lowered self-esteem and self-image on behalf of the dieter. (Conduit, Winter 2009)

 What-The-Hell Effect – A reaction to overwhelming food stimulus among chronic dieters which causes them to abandon their diet, especially in situations where the dieter has less control over food choices and/or sees others overeating. Feelings of deprivation and hardship exacerbate the urge to eat, and once the diet is broken, a "what-the- hell" attitude leads to binging and further feelings of guilt and failure. (Conduit, Winter 2009)

March 23, 2009

Did you know that 33-40% of adult American women are trying to lose weight at any given time? Despite the fact that "everyone" is dieting, the prevalence of obesity and overweight is still increasing! Why?

March 17, 2009

Obesity is often defined using body mass index ( BMI ), which is a ratio of weight to height. Overweight is classified as a BMI of 25-29.9, whereas obesity is classified as a BMI of over 30 (a normal weight for height range is a BMI of 18.5-24.9). Although BMI is a good indicator for overweight and obesity health risks in most individuals, it is not accurate for children, pregnant women, seniors and athletes.

March 9, 2009

Week: Obesity is more than just a personal health issue. People who are obese are 4X more likely to absent from work than healthy weight individuals, and is related to an increased risk of workplace injury and disability. Obese workers are more likely to feel stressed out from work, and report a lower amount of support from co-workers.

March 2, 2009

Although all meals are equally important for providing you with nutrition, breakfast is often called the most important meal of the day. This could be because eating breakfast sets a standard for the rest of the day. People who eat breakfast tend to perform better at school and work, and are less likely to have energy crashes in the late morning. They are also less likely to overeat on snacks and other meals. To start your day off right, have a healthy breakfast.

February 23, 2009

Oral allergy syndrome is an allergic reaction to certain proteins in a variety of fruits, vegetables and nuts, which develops in some people with pollen allergies. It is referred to as an oral allergy syndrome because it usually affects the mouth and throat. Oral allergy syndrome is nearly always preceded by hay fever and tends to occur most often in older children and adults. It is usually associated with birch-pollen allergies but it can also affect people with allergies to the pollens of grass, ragweed and mugwort.

February 9, 2009

The FTO (Fat mass and obesity associated) gene is found on chromosome 16, and is highly associated with obesity in humans. People with two copies of this gene have a relative risk of 1.67 for obesity compared to people with no copies. This increased risk of obesity results in an increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome, a chronic condition associated with increased insulin resistance and hyperlipidemia.

February 2, 2009

Obesity is a growing problem in Canada, with over 23% of adult Canadians classifying as obese, and another 35% classifying as overweight. The problem of an overweight population comes from a combination of factors: Increasing portion sizes, more processed foods with fewer nutrients and a more sedentary lifestyle. This is of particular concern, as overweight and obesity are associated with increased risk for many chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes and caridiovascular disease.

January 26. 2009

An eating disorder is a compulsion to eat or avoid eating that negatively impacts one's health. The most commonly known eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. A more recently identified eating disorder, Binge Eating Disorder, is a chronic condition that occurs when an individual consumes huge amounts of food during a brief period of time and feels totally out of control and unable to stop their eating. It can lead to serious health conditions such as morbid obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease.

January 19, 2009

Albertan's love their Alberta Beef, but many are weary about choosing this tasty meat as it is higher in saturated fats than some other meats. However, in moderation beef provides many health and nutrition benefits. It is a high quality source of protein, iron, zinc and the B vitamins!

January 12, 2009

Vegetables not only provide us with the vitamins, minerals and fibre that we need to live long and healthy lives, they also help improve satiety. You can eat a high volume of vegetables (providing you with that nice “full” feeling) while still keeping your calories low! This can help prevent you from overeating higher calorie foods. You can increase your vegetable intake by stashing them in soups, stews, pasta sauce, meatloaf and pizza!

January 6, 2009

We are always looking for healthy snack foods, and one very popular one is SPITZ (common brand name for sunflower seeds still in the shell). They are not only a great source of omega 6 fatty acids and phytosterols, but are also rich in fibre, protein, vitamin E, potassium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, selenium, calcium and zinc!

 December 1, 2008

It’s holiday time again, and that means FOOD to a great many of us. A common winter treat, eggnog, is made from cream, eggs, sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon…you can also had a shot of liquor to kick it up a notch (did she really just say that?). Eggnog is great in lattes, as a dessert cocktail, and in milkshakes (something I just recently discovered). As with all holiday treats, just remember not to overdo it!

 November 24, 2008

Do you make a grocery list and follow it when you go grocery shopping? Using a list will help make sure that you buy everything you need to prepare nutritious recipes that you have planned for the week, will help reduce impulse buys of unhealthy foods, and will help save you money!

 November 17, 2008

Cinnamon bark is commonly used as a spice in baking and cooking. Cinnamon has both antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, so is useful in the treatment of illnesses causing oxidative stress, such as diabetes, and in helping to preserve foods.

 November 3, 2008

Canadian Oil, Low Acid, or canola oil, was originally a specialty crop of Canada. This oil is low in saturated fat, high in mono-unsaturated fat and has an excellent omega 3 fatty acid profile. Derived from rapeseed, this versatile cooking oil has well established heart benefits.

 October 27, 2008

"An apple a day keeps the doctor away". Apples are a source of Vitamin C and fibre, as well as several phenolic compounds which have been shown to have antioxidant properties. Apples may help prevent the risk of certain cancers, including colon, prostate and lung. They can also help with weight loss and reducing cholesterol. Don't eat the seeds though, as they are mildly toxic to humans!

 October 20, 2008

Spaghetti Squash is a Chinese Native vegetable that can be served like pasta, but only contains 75 calories for an 8 oz serving! This delicious vegetable is high in folic acid, potassium, vitamin A and beta carotene. It is also gluten free!

 October 13, 2008

October is Celiac Awareness Month! Celiac disease is a genetic autoimmune disorder for which the only treatment is a gluten free diet for LIFE! Since Celiac disease is entirely controlled by the food we eat, I am challenging all NuFSSA members to GO GLUTEN FREE for one day this month. Gluten is a protein found in grain products, including wheat, rye, barley, and derivatives of these grains (such as malt!).

 October 6, 2008

It is Thanksgiving once again! Turkey is a great meat to choose anytime of the year, as it is a good source of protein, and a leaner (lower in fat and saturated fat) choice than most other meats. To lower the fat content of poultry products, you can remove the skin!  Thanksgiving turkey is even more delicious with a scoop of homemade cranberry sauce. Cranberries are an excellent source of anti-oxidants, and can help reduce the risk of chronic disease and inflammation. Try making your cranberry sauce with Splenda this year to reduce the sugar content!

 September 29, 2008

Green tea has many health benefits, and may reduce the risk of certain cancers, heart disease, impaired immune function and infections. The powerful secret of green tea is that it is rich in catechin polyphenols, especially epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a powerful antioxidant. EGCG can help prevent the growth of cancer cells, lower LDL cholesterol and prevent the formation of blood clots!

September 22, 2008

Drinking purple or red grape juice may have the same healthy heart benefits as red wine! Both red wine and grape juice are high in resveratrol, a beneficial chemical found in the skin of dark red and purple grapes. Both are also high in flavonoids, and antioxidant that can help prevent heart disease! If you are looking for the benefits of red wine without the alcohol, consider a glass of grape juice instead!

September 15, 2008

Nearly all fruits and vegetables are low in fat. The only exceptions are AVOCADO and OLIVES. Luckily the fat found in these delicious treats is mono-unsaturated fat, and has many beneficial effects when eaten in moderation!

September 8, 2008

Did you know that potato chips are a significant source of Vitamins C and E?! However, it is much preferred if you get this essential nutrients from sources such as fresh fruit and vegetables, instead of the deep fried versions.