Week 14: The Fiber Dilemma This month as part of the 52 Weeks of Wellness program we are discussing real sources of fiber, and why it’s crucial to our diet. Last week we learned what fiber is specifically and how it aids the body.  We also discussed increasing fiber intake for optimal health and I cautioned against popping the fiber supplements as a quick fix to fiber deficiencies. The absolute best way to go about increasing fiber intake is through consumption of plant foods.  Fruits, vegetables (don't forget green leafys), whole grains, nuts and seeds because they often contain both types of beneficial fiber. However, fiber isn't the only…

Week 13: Are You Fiber Deficient? This month as part of the 52 Weeks of Wellness program we’ll discuss what fiber is, real sources of fiber, and why it’s crucial to our diet. What is Fiber? Fiber is an indigestible substance that is found mainly in the outer layers of plants. Fiber is a special type of carbohydrate that passes through the human digestive system virtually unchanged, without being broken down (digested) into nutrients. Carbohydrates constitute the main source of energy for all body functions. Fiber keeps things moving in the large intestine, promoting regularity, cleansing the intestinal tract and removing toxins. It binds and/or absorbs certain harmful materials…

Week 12: Kick Those Hydrogenated Fats to The Curb - 52 Weeks of Wellness Last week we learned about what makes hydrogenated products bad for you. It isn't necessarily because they are fatty. Fats aren't really the problem, rather the processing and chemical alterations of the fats are the issue. The health dangers of hydrogenated products (trans fats) include: They are free radicals. They not only raise LDL (bad) cholesterol, they lower protective HDL (good) cholesterol level. They decrease `good' prostaglandin formation (more on that later). They are suspected of being a major contributing factor to cancers and heart disease. They increase body weight. They alter numerous reactions…

Week 10: Getting Enough Essential Fatty Acids is Easy – 52 Weeks of Wellness In week 9 of the 52 weeks of wellness program we learned about the importance of essential fatty acids and started trying to identify fact contain foods in our diets. Essential fatty acids must be supplied through our diet because our bodies cannot supply these for us. Humans evolved eating fish and seafood but now the majority of us are deficient in essential fatty acids and our health is suffering. There are two solutions, essential fatty acid supplements or diet modifications. The good news is essential fatty acids are present in a wide variety…

Week 9: You Need Fats to Thrive – 52 Weeks of Wellness Most people, especially women, look at me like I have two heads when I tell them they need to eat more fat.  We've been led to believe that fats (like carbohydrates) are bad and some of them are. The problem is, we can’t live without the good fats. Simply swearing off fat doesn't solve health problems, it often creates them.  The key is knowing which fats are good and which are bad so you can eat accordingly. This week as part of my 52 Weeks of Wellness Program we are focusing on learning about good fats.…

Week 8: The truth about sugar free sweeteners - 52 Weeks of Wellness Week 8 of our 52 Weeks of wellness entails the big three sugar free/ chemical sweeteners to avoid which are: aspartame (Nutrasweet), sucralose (Splenda) and high fructose corn syrup. These may be calorie free but they are NOT healthy or SAFE.  All are derived from chemicals which adds more toxins to the body. Combine the chemicals, additives, preservatives, hormones, antibiotics, over-the counter meds and pharmaceutical drugs that we subject our body to and we wonder why we don't have energy, have stomach issues or other chronic disease.  Because disease is just that, an accumulation of…

Week 7: Enjoy safe sweeteners kick the chemical ones - 52 Weeks of Wellness This week I want to focus on safer options for sweeteners. Have you ever considered why so many people have a bad perception of sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup? Further more, why is sugar thought to be so bad when it occurs naturally in many "good for you" foods like fruits? Believe it or not, natural sugar isn't bad. The problem lies in the amount of it we consume and also in finding the truly naturally occurring sugars INSTEAD of the chemical ones. Natural Sugars to Try: Raw agave (cactus nectar), coconut nectar…