Written by Evita Basilio BSc Nutrition
Reviewed by Andrea Miller MHSc, RD
The Science of Our Gut
Humans are hosts to huge numbers of bacteria ~100 trillion all through our body. The gut flora is our largest organ of immunity. The composition of each person’s microflora is as unique as your fingerprint and what we feed our flora determines which bacteria are found in our gut.
Written by Hilary Rock BSc, Nutrition
Reviewed by Andrea Miller MHSc, RD
Warmer weather, longer nights, barbeque season has arrived! Summer is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors and start using the grill more. This summer think beyond the typical steaks, hamburgers, sausages, and hot dogs. Try grilling fish, fresh fruit, and even tofu for a change! First things first, remember to heat up that grill for 20 to 30 minutes before cooking to kill off bacteria and other pathogens leftover from past grill sessions to reduce the chances of foodborne illness. Below are ten tips to remember to make this barbeque season a healthy one:
Written by Erika Martin BSc, Nutrition Candidate
Reviewed by Andrea Miller MHSc, RD
We would like to welcome one of our new Nutrition undergraduate volunteer students, to our practice. This is Erika’s first blog post, for us.
Canada’s Food Guide states that half of our daily servings of grains should be whole grains. Whole grains provide us with more fiber, vitamins and minerals, than refined grain products. It is important to understand the difference between whole grain and whole wheat.
Written by Hilary Rock BSc, Nutrition
Reviewed by Andrea Miller MHSc, RD
These days, consumers are paying closer attention to ways to improve their health and prevent disease. At the same time that interest in health is growing, so is the ease of which consumers can access health-related information to support self-care, online. The Canadian Council of Food and Nutrition Tracking Nutrition Trends survey revealed that 46% of Canadians use the Internet to find food and nutrition information; 76% use magazines, newspapers and books; friends, relatives and colleagues are the source for 66%. In other words, many of the most common methods for obtaining food, nutrition and health-related information are not necessarily science-based and may not be reliable. One area of current popular interest where misinformation abounds is detoxification (detox) and cleansing diets and other procedures supposedly designed to rid the body of toxins. Detox diets are popular strategies that claim to facilitate toxin elimination and weight loss, thereby promoting health and well-being.
Written by Evita Basilio BSc, Nutrition
Reviewed by Andrea Miller MHSc, RD
Four years ago, my family moved from Dubai, U.A.E. to North America. My brother and I are now in Canada and my parents in the States. We have grown accustomed to the North American culture but blend in our Indian traditions, particularly around food. The holidays bring the family together, as well as old friends and new. Our annual holiday dinner is the main event taking inspiration from different parts of India, while keeping elements of a traditional turkey dinner.
Written by Hilary Rock BSc, Nutrition
Reviewed by Andrea Miller MHSc, RD
Just because the summer season is coming to an end does not mean that there isn’t any more delicious local produce available. From September to November the autumn harvest brings a variety of healthful and delicious produce from pumpkins to pears. Fresh local food has a shorter time between harvest and your table and buying in-season produce helps sustain the environment and local economy. So why not dig into the following local produce this fall season:
By: Dianna Yanchis, BSc (Nutrition)
Reviewed by Andrea Miller MHSc, RD
“Going gluten free” appears to be a diet trend that has grown in popularity over the past several years. Grocery stores devote entire aisles to gluten free foods and celebrities and fitness enthusiasts promote its’ “health benefits.” Health claims that are associated with a gluten-free diet include weight loss, a reduction in bloating, improving skin tone, increasing alertness, and many others. Is a gluten free diet as beneficial as it is made out to be? What exactly is a gluten-free diet?
By Maysam Youssef, RD
Smoothies can be a healthy choice or they may be little more than sugary water (not much different than soft drinks or fruit punch). Smoothies, made from whole, fresh or frozen fruit have higher vitamin, mineral, photochemical and fibre content, than juices and they can be a healthy choice. But beware of added ingredients such as fruit syrups, whipped cream or flavoured drizzles- these add on’s can turn your smart smoothie into a glorified milkshake, complete with 400 or more calories!
By: Dianna Yanchis BSc (Nutrition) Candidate
Reviewed by Andrea Miller MHSc, RD
Grain products, one of the four food groups, are foods that are made or derived from barley, cornmeal, oats, rice, wheat, or any other cereal grain. Grains are often the seeds of certain plants. The bran, the endosperm and the germ are the three main parts of the seed, or kernel. All three parts contain valuable nutrients that play an important role in the diet.
