• Foods and Fatigue

    Fatigue is something we all experience, though can be defined in many different ways – including lack of energy, lack of motivation, or other terms such as exhaustion, malaise, run down, and more. When you think of fatigue, it’s usually something that we contribute to having long, tiresome days, or not getting enough sleep at night (insomnia.) However, did you know that fatigue can also be caused by certain foods you’re eating? Having a healthy diet is important. Failing to eat the right or adequate amount of foods can not only lead to feeling tired, but it can also contribute to a high risk of developing other health problems, such…

  • Why Grapefruit and Medication Might Not Mix

    Grapefruits, which come from the citrus family (also consisting of oranges, tangerines, mandarins, lemons and limes), are packed with vitamin C and can give your immune system the boost that it needs. Along with vitamin C, it’s also rich in other nutrients like vitamin A, potassium, magnesium, thiamine, folate, fibre and protein. Additionally, grapefruit also has the ability to reduce your risk of heart disease as well and can even help you maintain a healthy weight given that they are low in calories (a medium-sized grapefruit usually contains around 50 calories.) If you’re someone who is at risk of developing diabetes, then eating grapefruit regularly may help in preventing that…

  • How Milk Benefits Your Health

    Milk and milk products (which are also known as dairy products) are an important part of a healthy, well balanced diet and are one of the food groups that Canada’s Food Guide recommends incorporating into your diet as it is a great source of nutrients that are vital to your health, including calcium, potassium, protein, iodine, and vitamins B2 and B12. As for how these aforementioned nutrients benefit your health, there are many ways. CALCIUM: • Normal growth, development and maintenance of bones and teeth • Muscle function • Neurotransmission • Cell division • Blood clotting POTASSIUM: • Normal functioning of the nervous system • Muscle function • Maintenance of…

  • Healthy Eating Tips

    Whether you’re looking to lose weight or not, healthy eating is something that we all need to do. To ensure your diet is as healthy as it can be, it should consist of the following: Protein (found in things like meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, eggs, beans and nuts), fat (also found in animals and dairy products, nuts, as well as oils), and complex carbohydrates (found in whole grains, seeds, fruits and vegetables.) You also need vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, B, C, D, E and K, as well as calcium, iron and potassium. Water is also something you should drink more of, as it keeps you hydrated and…

  • Metabolic Syndrome and the Vitamin D Link

    Metabolic Syndrome is characterized as a variety of different health conditions, including obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood), and low HDL levels (also known as the “good” cholesterol.) Combined, these conditions put you at an increased risk of developing diabetes and can also significantly increase your risk of suffering a stroke or heart attack, which can be fatal. As for what causes metabolic syndrome, the number one cause is living an unhealthy lifestyle. For example, if you consume too many calories or eat foods that are high in sugar, refined carbohydrates and sodium, if you’re not getting regular physical activity,…

  • Magnesium and the Vital Role it Plays in Your Health

    In order to achieve optimal health, the body needs minerals. One of the most important minerals that you can give the body is a macro-mineral known as magnesium. Unlike trace minerals (such as iron and zinc) which are only required in small amounts, macro-minerals like magnesium are required in larger doses. Unfortunately, more than 60% of individuals get less than the required daily dose of magnesium. While much of the minerals that our bodies need can be obtained from the foods we eat, there are also instances where you may need to take a mineral supplement – especially if you are mineral-deficient. Below is a more in-depth look at magnesium,…

  • How Certain Foods Can Benefit Your Health

    Healthy eating isn’t necessarily a difficult thing to do once you get the hang of it, but are you aware of all the different ways in which certain foods can actually benefit your health? Below we take a look at the four main groups (vegetables and fruit, grain products, milk and alternatives, and meat and alternatives) and break down which foods within those groups are considered to be some of the healthiest, along with the many ways in which they can help you achieve an overall better quality of life. Vegetables and Fruit: In the old Food Guide, it was recommended that we get anywhere between 7 and 10 servings…

  • Going Gluten-Free

    There are three main sources of gluten: Wheat (which is commonly found in breads, baked goods, pasta, cereals, soups, sauces and salad dressings), barley (which is commonly found in malt – including malted barley flour, malt extract, malt syrup, and malt vinegar, brewer’s yeast, beer, and food colouring), and rye (commonly found in rye breads like pumpernickel, cereals, and rye beer.) Additionally, triticale and oats are also two other sources of gluten. While these foods can pose no problem to some, they can be problematic for others, which is why going gluten-free is considered much more than just a fad diet. Of course, when it comes to going gluten-free, you…

  • Pregnancy and Nutrition

    It’s important that we all strive to have healthy, well-balanced diets no matter what – because the healthier you eat, the better your quality of life will be (i.e. you reduce the risk of things like obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.) Healthy eating is even more important when you are pregnant, as the foods you eat are what provide your baby with the nutrients it needs, which will affect its health as well as ensure you have the healthiest pregnancy possible. During pregnancy you have increased nutritional needs and will require more macronutrients (such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats) and micronutrients (such as vitamins and minerals.) When it comes to…

  • How to Fight Bad Breath

    Bad breath (also known as halitosis or fetor oris) is something that a lot of people fear. Knowing you have bad breath can cause significant anxiety and embarrassment, but it’s actually more common than you might realize as it affects an estimated 1 in 4 people worldwide. While there are many reasons why someone might develop bad breath, the biggest cause is due to poor oral hygiene – such as lack of brushing and flossing the teeth. Aside from oral hygiene, you can also develop bad breath as a result of the foods you eat. Poor lifestyle habits, such as smoking or chewing tobacco, can also contribute to your breath…