That's what you may be saying to yourself if you've seen the news recently. Cricket powder has gone mainstream as it hit Canadian shelves this week. The idea of eating bugs may be new to you, but entomophagy (the consumption of insects) is actually a common practice that has been taking place for tens of thousands of years! It's estimated that insects are part of the traditional diets of around 2 billion people. There are more than 1,900 edible insect species and the most commonly eaten bugs are beetles, caterpillars, bees, wasps, ants, grasshoppers and you guessed it, cricket. If you really think about it, it's not even that big of a stretch. Bugs are arthropods (they don't have an internal skeleton) and are closely related to crustaceans* like shrimp, crab, crawfish and lobster. So crustaceans are really just bugs of the ocean. Also, consider the fact that honey only becomes honey after nectar from the flowers is passed mouth-to-mouth from bee to bee. So if you really think about it, you've been an entomophagist most of your life. But seriously, what's so great about cricket powder?
Crickets have a myriad of health and performance benefits, while also being eco-friendly. Let's first look at some of the health and performance benefits:
Consuming insects is also more environmentally friendly. The resources required to produce 10 grams of cricket powder are 12 times less than the resources needed to produce 10 grams of beef protein. Crickets also require less land and water and produce fewer green house gas emissions than traditionally farmed animals. Over the span of a year, if a family of four ate one meal a week using cricket (or insect) protein, they would save the earth 650,000 litres of fresh water. I'm sure what you're really wondering though, is how they taste. Well, I haven't actually summoned up the courage to try cricket powder myself (although it is on my to-do list). I'm told that cricket powder adds a subtle nutty/earthy flavour...so maybe if someone just told me it was a nut I wouldn't even think twice. So, what do you think? Can you get behind these bugs in the grocery aisle? * A word of caution, people who are allergic to crustaceans and shellfish may have an allergic reaction to crickets. Additionally, if you have a pre-disposed allergy to insect bites or stings you should proceed with caution. Writer: Writer: Stephanie MacNeill (RD)
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2017 was a monumental and widely publicized year for feminism with the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements. Making this year’s International Women’s Day theme that much more fitting: #PressforProgress. This year’s theme is aimed at striving for gender parity within society. Although gender parity is a very important aspect of equality and women’s rights, it’s only one aspect. There are many areas we can Press for Progress, within society as a whole and within our personal lives. International Women’s Day should mark the beginning of a year full of pushing for progress for yourself and women everywhere. I challenge you to spend the year following Women’s Day learning to love yourself and your body. Feminism, by definition, is an act of rebellion. It’s the act of rebelling against current societal and patriarchal norms for gender equality. What’s more rebellious than going against everything society tells us about our bodies, and loving who we are? I know firsthand how disheartening looking at any form of media can be to your self-esteem. There are articles and ads everywhere about how to get ready for bikini season, how to make yourself as thin as possible, and how being anything other than in impeccable shape is viewed, each alongside images of scantily clad, unrealistically super fit, modelesque women. On top of it all, cosmetic, supplement, and fitness companies profit from our feelings of poor self-worth. It is in their best interest for us to feel poorly about ourselves. This deserves to change. Here are 4 rebellious acts you can do to Push for Progress and learn to love yourself this Women’s Day: 1. Change how you talk about yourself As women, we have a terrible habit of talking poorly about ourselves and our bodies. We are our own worst critics and we would never say the things we say about ourselves to our friends. They would probably punch us for it. To truly change how we see ourselves, a great first step is to cut out all that negative self-talk. It’s damaging and not beneficial to our self-esteem. Instead, replace those negative comments with things you are proud of doing or skills you possess. 2. Unfollow social media accounts that damage your self-confidence Social media has become a huge part of our lives. We passively consume so much information and images throughout the day because of the amount of time we spend on social media. Because of this, we’re bound to come across accounts or posts that aren’t beneficial to our self-esteem. Whether it be a celebrity that is always posting about the latest diet to lose those extra 5lbs or an account that shames people for being anything other than perfect, you don’t need that in your life. Cut that garbage out of your life and don’t look back. 3. Embrace self-care In the last year, there has been a huge boom for self-care and it’s amazing. Nothing screams love for ourselves and rebellion like providing ourselves with the self-care we deserve. Carve out time in your schedule to unwind and relax by reading, having a bath, knitting, preparing your favourite meal, or ensuring you get enough sleep. Self-care is individualized and non-prescriptive and should include something that’s important to you. Self-care should be a regular part of your lifestyle to help you feel grounded and to realize all you’ve accomplished in a day is worth celebrating. 4. Be proud of your body Our bodies are capable of so many amazing things. It allows us to move the way we want, tells us what it needs, allows us to feel and explore within ourselves, to learn, and our bodies can even bear children. That’s amazing stuff. How we treat our bodies should be a reflection and celebration of all it’s capable of, not punishment for everything it’s been through. Don’t shame your body for showing its age or the scars it bears. We have such unrealistic expectations of how bodies should look and we will go to great lengths to keep it looking young, scar free, flat, toned, and tanned. Why not just be proud of your body for getting you this far? As International Women’s Day is here, I challenge us all to be aware and cognizant of how we can make progress. And I challenge you to think differently about yourself and what your body is capable of. Take part in the rebellion and flex those feminism muscles with me. Happy International Women’s Day. #PressforProgress Jessica Saloman, MAN, RD Sports Dietitian with ESN and Athlete's Care Yonge and Eglinton and Liberty Village nutritionbyjessicard.com Jessica has a unique interest in women’s health, specifically managing hormonal changes, treating PCOS, gut health, and the female athlete triad. She works alongside women to reach their individualized goals in realistic and manageable ways. I'm so excited to be part of this year's Dietitians of Canada Nutrition Month Campaign! We are celebrating Nutrition Month 2018 by helping Canadians unlock the potential of food to fuel, discover, prevent, heal and bring us together. Dietitians all have one thing in common: we love food! Shocking, right? Whether we are counseling a patient recovering from a heart attack, teaching a cooking class or taking students through a tour of a grocery store, we are all passionate about the potential of food and its connection to health. You will learn so much this month about the amazing potential of food! To kick off Nutrition Month, I'm going to discuss foods potential to fuel. Almost half of all Canadians say they find it challenging to eat a balanced diet because they are so busy. They often skip meals and close to 30% of Canadians say they eat of lot of snacks to stay fueled throughout a busy day. Snacks sometimes get a bad rap. To some, snacking means eating when you're not hungry and to others it means loading up on unhealthier foods like chips, cookies and candy. Nutritious snacks, in the right portion sizes can be part of a healthy eating plan and is a great way to get all the nutrients the body needs each day. Five Smart Snacking Tips: Fueling your body with healthy snacks between meals can help maintain stable blood sugar levels and lead to more consistent energy throughout the day. Snacks can also curb your appetite and prevent overeating at meals. Make snacking a piece of cake (okay, maybe that was the wrong analogy here) with these five tips:
Healthy Snack Ideas: Next time you're looking to fuel up between meals, skip the vending machine or coffee shop and give one of these tasty snack suggestions a try:
Visit Cookspiration or download the app for more un'beet'able snack ideas! Writer: Stephanie MacNeill (RD) It’s close to 2 weeks after the one of the best played super bowls in years. Minimal penalties, great plays and a historical win by the Eagles (of which I predicted back in week 4, seriously! Primarily because I love Carson Wentz). The only thing that could have made it better was a surprise throwback to NSYNC with Justin Timberlake at Halftime. Aside from that, the two teams were relatively evenly matched, except for the quarterbacks and their diets. Now before I go further into this article I should definitely warn you about my bias against Tom Brady. Many of you will regard him as the Greatest Of All Time (GOAT) but in my eyes, it's Peyton Manning. What happened? There was more than 2 minutes left in the fourth and the final possession was with the Pats at roughly the 50 yard line and they needed 8 points. Pats and Brady fans knew the game wasn’t over because he had clutched this kinda thing multiple times before. Furthermore, it was one of Brady’s best statistical Superbowl performances. He threw 505 yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 interceptions but only 28/48 completed attempts (that’s only 58.3% compared to last year at 69.3%!) So, what happened? Well the completion thing isn’t really related to nutrition (or is it?) but his performance was. For those of you that know Brady, you’ll know of his commercialized diet, TB12. Which bases it’s primary principles around a combination of Plant-based and Paleo beliefs. TB 12 is primarily drawn up by a “body coach” (what ever the hell that is), Alex Guerrero, that has been under investigation by his own regulatory body for pretending to be a medical doctor, making false and irresponsible health claims to sell his supplement; of which he claims could cure AIDS and cancer (the book obviously doesn’t mention that). His degree in Chinese-Medicine is from the now defunct Samra University of Oriental Medicine in LA. Here’s the problem, Brady and Peyton (See? I’m being objective!) were never quarterbacks that their nutrition mattered as much as Russel Wilson or Colin Kapernick. The reason why? Brady and Peyton throw the pig skin, they rarely ever run it. To understand why the diet was to a factor let's look at the energy pathways for these Quaterbacks. For quarterbacks that throw they’re primarily using the Phosphocreatine system; this includes Brady and Peyton. The Phosphocreatine system fuels explosive movements that are typically under 10 seconds and takes about a minute to “reload” the creatine in muscles. The nutrient that feeds this pathway is Creatine which is found in animal protein sources or supplements. For Quarterbacks that throw and run the ball they use a combination of the Phosphocreatine and Anaerobic energy metabolism systems, depending on how far they run of course. The Anaerobic system fuels intense physical activity for under 2 minutes and has different “reload” time depending on physical fitness, resting heart rate, mitochondira (the power house of the cell) content in muscle, lactic acid thresholds and of course nutritional intake. Not to mention that carbohydrates are the preferred and most optimal fuel source for the brain. Why is this important? Well for Brady’s Superbowl performance, it starts to explain the final 2 minutes of his game. You see the final 2 minutes is so fast paced to get the final snap before the clock hits 0. Now take what I wrote above and start to think about this. TB12 is primarily plant based and may not be enough Creatine to fuel the Phosphocreatine stores. Does TB12 have carbs? Yup! But the swearing off of quickly absorbed carbohydrates during game time means that we can’t refuel Brady properly between quarters or even between offensive and defensive possessions, which means his fuel tank is empty by the 3rd or 4th. Now let me explain one thing very clearly, I am not saying you need animal protein or fast digesting sugars in your diet but there is one very important distinction here; the difference between optimal sports nutrition and healthy eating. Because I can agree with a lot of what Brady says about the philosophy of nutrition in his TB12 method. There’s obviously some crazy stuff in there like why he doesn’t eat strawberries or nightshade vegetables without providing an actual allergy or intolerance. But messages like eat less sugar, less processed foods, more plant based and quality foods; I can definitely get behind that. The issue I have with TB12 is that it confuses general healthy eating advice with optimal peak performance advice, because those are two very different things. You see, we can think of it this way using a car analogy. Let’s say Tom Brady is a peak performance car (eg Ferarri, Maclaren or Porsche) that’s fueling up with diesel instead of high octane fuel, the car will still run but not optimally. When Tom is playing he needs foods that break down faster so they can get to fuel his performance and his brain to make fast decisions. Re-watch the final 2 minutes of the super bowl, he wasn’t thinking fast enough and his final throw to Gronk was predictable, of which the Eagles defense knew to pull a blitz defense on Gronk. Had Brady been properly fueled to think, he may have chosen a different receiver, like Cooks, that open and may have made the run into the end zone with a 2 point conversion to win or a 1 point kick to push it into overtime. But nope! Brady wasn’t thinking or playing optimally. So yes, Tom Brady’s nutritional choices may have caused him to not function optimally and his diet is a factor because the Pats played really well. Now I’m definitely factoring in the number of sacks he takes and the multiple concussions he gets every season – I’m not even going to get into how PROPER nutrition can help prevent concussions or assist with concussion recovery (Brady had 35 sacks in the 2017 season and Peyton had 16 sacks in his final 2015 season). So Tom, just a piece of advice; get rid of your snake oil peddler just like Belichick did earlier this season by banning his access to games, locker rooms and being available on the sidelines. Get some credible nutrition advice from a Sports Dietitian and learn more about physiology from a physiotherapist or manual therapist. P.S. Ben’s pick is New Orleans Saints for 2018 Superbowl Champs! Unless Brady gets some proper Sports Nutrition and Manual Therapy Ben Sit, RD, Sports Dietitian President of Evolved Sport and Nutrition The Greatest Wealth is Health The word macronutrients or macros for short is a fancy term for nutrients that we as humans need to consume to survive. There are 3 essential macronutrients; carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Each individual food contains different proportions of all three macronutrients. Counting macros has gained popularity recently, replacing traditional calorie counting. Let’s breakdown what each of these essential macronutrients are and where to find them.
Carbohydrates A.K.A. “carbs” Carbs are your bodies main energy source. They provide 4 calories per gram. We need carbohydrates for brain function, muscle recovery and growth, digestion, basically all of the functions to keep us alive. Carbohydrates are found in many plant based foods and processed foods. When you think of carbs, these are foods that are traditionally thought of as sugary or starchy, be it natural or processed. Examples of carbohydrates are: fruit, vegetables (especially potatoes, corn, squash), legumes, grains-based food (rice, pasta, breads, quinoa), dairy (milk, yogurt), and processed items like crackers, granola bars, juices, and candy. Understanding the role of carbohydrates in your diet is essential when it comes to performance and body composition. Fats Fat is another main energy source. It is the most concentrated energy source, providing 9 calories per gram. Fats are needed in many important bodily functions such as energy use and storage, satiety, insulation, and fat-soluble vitamin absorption (Vitamins A, D, E, and K). Fat sources include oils, nuts, seeds, avocados, coconut, butter and margarines, and marbling in meats (found in red meats). The type of fat and timing of intake can influence your hunger levels, workouts, and overall health. Protein Protein has many important roles in the body. It provides 4 calories per gram. Protein breaks down into amino acids in the body and are used for many functions such as maintaining lean muscle mass, skeletal mass, the structural component of all cells in the body, and energy use. Food sources of protein include red meat, fish, poultry, dairy, eggs, soy (tofu, tempeh), legumes, and protein powders. Protein plays a very important role with the development and maintenance of lean muscle mass, and can be maximized with guidance around timing and frequency of intake. Why this approach might work for you For some, taking the focus away from “calories” and instead focusing on getting the right amounts of macronutrients can take away that feeling of restricting. It can encourage a more balanced diet by including a variety of foods that provide all three essential macronutrients. It discourages individuals from thinking a 1500 calorie diet is sustainable on only salads, egg whites and avocados. You may be feeling sluggish (I mean, where are the carbs?!) which impacts the quality of your workouts. For some it takes away the negative thought process of “I can only have” and instead allows for more positive thoughts like “wow I can eat THAT much protein?!” For those that like to plan ahead and meal prep, macro counting makes sense. Many athletes who macro count feel a sense of control over what they are having and feel more knowledgeable and in charge of their nutrition. Why this approach might not work for you As with calorie-restricted diets, it is another form of counting. Trying to stick to your allotted macronutrients can seem like a daunting task, think of Tetris on expert level. It can be very time consuming. Some of the food diary apps are not monitored for accuracy, so certain foods are incorrectly entered. What you think you are consuming might not be true. For example, if you type in “chocolate chip cookie”, you might get a dozen chocolate chip cookie options, all of varying carb, fat, and protein amounts. How do you know which one is most accurate? Measuring and weighing your food is needed to know exactly what you are consuming. This can be quite overwhelming for those who don’t have a lot of time for meal prep, those who don’t make their meals, or those who have little nutrition knowledge. Like calorie restricted diets, macro counting can allow for poor quality food choices, given they fit into one’s macros. It’s easier to count macros off of a nutrition label than it is weighing and measuring your fresh vegetables and lean proteins. To learn more about macro counting and if it would benefit you in your particular sport, speak with Sports Dietitians. Writer: Emilie Trottier (Specialties: Crossfit Nutrition Specialist, Weight Lifting, Mental Health, Chronic Disease Management, Weight Loss, Body Composition Change) “Health at Every Size” is a term you probably have seen all over social media and news. People either embrace it or demonize it. Some claim that it helps with self acceptance, positive body image, while others argue it enables obese people to remain obese, and those suffering with eating disorders to justify their behaviour. But what does it really mean? What is the purpose of the “Health at Every Size” movement.
The term “Health at Every Size” was coined by Linda Bacon, PhD in her very popular book The Surprising Truth about your weight: Health at Every Size released in 2008. According to Linda, the problem with weight is not fat itself, but with dieting. “A society that rejects anyone whose body shape or size doesn’t match an impossible ideal is the problem. A medical establishment that equates thin with healthy is the problem.” Additionally, Linda states, HAES is not a weight loss book, diet book or exercise program. The book is designed to encourage healthy living and support a shift from a client hating their themselves and fighting their body to learning to appreciate their body and their life. There are five main principles to HAES®: Weight Inclusivity
As one can see, the overall principles of HAES®: are positive and meant to support a healthy, well balanced lifestyle. Unfortunately, this term has been skewed by media and persons around the world to support unhealthy lifestyles and lifestyle behaviours including eating disorders, clinical obesity, sedentary behaviours and excessive food consumption. You are probably wondering, can someone be overweight/obese and be healthy. The answer to this is not a simple yes or no. It would depend on the definitions of the terms. Is someone judged overweight/obese based on the BMI alone (an outdated measure of body health); or is it based on weight circumference, body fat percentage? Is healthy based on the numbers found on a laboratory report or how active the person is? Or is it based on how balanced their life is with respect to food, exercise, sleep, social activity, etc.? As you can see, there is no simple answer and there is no single answer that is perfect for everyone. It is individual and specific to each person. What I can tell you, HAES®: is not a means to justify restricting, binging or purging food. Nor is it a justification for living as a couch potato. Engaging in any of these activities is not healthy for the body, mind or soul. So, what can you take away from this. Health comes in many shapes and sizes. The judgement of healthy comes down to more than a number on a scale, miles run, calories burned. Being healthy is about finding balance, acceptance and self-love. It is about being kind to our bodies, respecting our bodies and engaging in thoughts and behaviours that enable a positive lifestyle. Written by: Catherine Rose-Loveless, RD (Registered Dietitian, HAES Practitioner, Yoga Instructor and Wellbeing Coach) For more information on HAES® visit: https://lindabacon.org/health-at-every-size-book/ https://haescommunity.com/ It’s back-to-school season. That means back to routine and (hopefully) some sense of normalcy compared to summer. Regular schedules make it easier to predict mealtimes. However, school commitments can also lead to less free time. What does this mean in terms of healthy eating? Meal planning is key. Many of my clients get so overwhelmed by the idea meal planning they don’t know where to start. Following the steps outlined below will help provide you some guidance.
Step 1: Determine the number of meals you need to plan for Our routines may be predictable, or they may change week-to-week. Consider prep time, food budgets and eating environments when planning meals. For example, perhaps you want to have 3 dinners and 2 lunches planned for the upcoming week. Do your lunches need to be ‘grab-n-go’, or can you heat up food in a microwave? Do you have time to prepare dinners from scratch at home, or should one be a ‘set-and-forget’ meal done in the slow cooker. Write down the number of meals you need to prepare for the week and any necessary details (e.g. packed lunch, quick dinner). Step 2: Plan your menu Balanced meals should contain a variety of whole foods (i.e. food that doesn’t come out of a wrapper or package). Ideally, ½ the plate should be veggies and/or fruit, ¼ of the plate lean proteins and the last ¼ whole grains. Meal inspiration There are many places to find healthy meal ideas and recipes. Cookbooks and food magazines are great resources. But, most of my clients search the internet. I personally use Pinterest to find new recipe inspiration. Just be sure to read ingredients lists and find recipes that align with your nutritional goals. Also look at serving information if you are feeding a family or are planning for leftovers. Family favourites list I encourage my clients to create a list of at least 10 recipes that the whole family enjoys. These meals should also be easy and quick to make. Keep this list on the fridge when you run out of meal inspiration and ensure you are always stocked with the necessary ingredients. Some examples of quick last-minute meals include:
Overlap ingredients & plan for leftovers To save money, time and food waste, plan to make recipes that use similar ingredients. For example, if you want to make a recipe that calls for ½ a red onion, choose a second recipe that also incorporates red onion so that you use it up! The freezer is also a key tool when it comes to saving money and time. You can pretty much freeze anything so plan to cook once and eat twice by making extra recipe servings that you can freeze away for busy weeknight meals. Step 3: Make a grocery shopping list Shop your fridge and pantry first to make note of ingredients you have on hand. Then based on the recipes you’ve planned, create your shopping list. I’m a pen and paper type of person, but there are many apps to help with creating grocery lists (e.g. myShopi). The key is sticking to it! I also advise my clients to stock up on non-perishables as back-ups when they are on sale. Examples of non-perishable food items to keep on hand that make healthy additions to last-minute meals include:
Step 4: Schedule time to shop and prep If you are new to meal planning, set aside 3-4 hours each week to meal plan, write your grocery list, shop, and meal prep. Practice makes perfect. Over time you’ll become faster at every stage of the process. Healthy eating is hard work and meal planning takes effort. But, coming home to a delicious healthy meal, without the stress of figuring things out on the fly, is well worth the time and energy put into meal planning. Writer: Kerry Miller (Private Practice Registered Dietitian & Sport Nutritionist) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerry.millerrd/ Given the recent Mayweather/McGregor fight, a fight with a clear size difference between fighters, I thought I’d explain the art and science of weight-cutting, and how this phenomenon relates to nutrition, health, and performance.
If you didn’t see the fight or weigh-in, a few key facts include:
The fact that McGregor was TKO’d in the 10th round is actually of remarkably little importance here. I’m not usually one to say that winning and losing is not important; it is clearly a performance indicator. But in this case, I really don’t think you can measure his performance on a binary scale given all the other variables (i.e. their existing skill sets and experience in boxing). What I would like to focus on more is that McGregor had what appeared to be a slight size advantage at weigh-ins, become quite a large size advantage on the night of the fight. So how did McGregor put on what looked like 10-20 lbs. of lean mass in 24 hours? Now, I’m speculating here that McGregor followed this standard weight-cutting process I’m about to describe. He was the larger athlete and had a what looked like a drastic increase in size from Weigh-Ins to Fight, but keep in mind that I don’t actually work with him, and don’t actually know what he weighed leading into weigh-ins or on the night of the fight. However, I know this process intimately. I’ve work with athletes on weight management, but more importantly I have personally cut-weight more times than I can count. Near the end of my wrestling career, my weight would bounce from 65kg (143lbs) at weigh-ins, to about 73kg (161lbs) in competition the next morning. Weight-Cutting 101:
It is important to remember that I am not condoning “cutting-weight”, but merely explaining the phenomenon in hopes that a more knowledgeable athlete can make smarter choices. “Cutting-weight” can be very dangerous, and should be done so in a supervised manor, if done at all. Involve coaches in the decision, and speak with a dietitian about it. Think about the potential advantages, and how they weigh against the possible disadvantages and safety concerns of this practice before making any decisions. Writer: Kevin Iwasa-Madge, Sports Dietitian, CSCS Are you an active individual eating a healthy diet and puzzled as to why you can’t take off the last 10-20 pounds? Specializing in sport nutrition and weight loss I see a couple common mishaps. Could a few key “health” foods be kiboshing your weight loss efforts? These 3 come to mind. 1. Granola 2. Nuts and nut butters 3. Salads The common denominator in this list is they are all deemed health foods with a number of nutritional benefits. While this is TRUE, there are some key considerations. 1. Granola Sure Granola can be super nutritious. But don’t be deceived, I’ve had more than one client shed pounds JUST by being mindful of their granola snacking habits! The Good: Points go to the nutritious and fibre rich ingredients, including nuts and seeds, oats, quinoa, coconut, and dried fruits. The Bad: Granola and granola bars, even homemade varieties, use a high volume of sugary ingredients like dates, and honey, providing that desirable crunchy and cohesive cluster. Technically ‘natural’ sweeteners, these are also very concentrated forms of carbohydrate. Furthermore, nuts and seeds, as well as nut butters pack a calorie punch. The Bottom Line: Snacking willy nilly on granola is too easy. And, since it’s deemed healthy, you don’t think twice about it. But with a 1/4 cup of granola being very high in carbohydrate, relatively low protein, and easily hitting upwards of 250 calories, your seemingly harmless, healthy snack habit may be a sugar spiking extravaganza that’s looking more like a meal. Solution: Search recipes for smaller quantities of sweeteners (dates, maple syrup, honey) and nut butters or modify yourself so it fits your needs. Compare recipes that provide nutritional info and serving sizes to give you a sense of what’s coming in. Strategically, using a measuring cup and closing the jar up out of sight can help ensure you don't overdo it. 2. Nuts, Seeds and Nut Butters A convenient addition to snacks, salads, breakfasts and more, nuts, seeds and nut butters are healthful and something I recommend to clients to boost their intake of healthy fats. With an upsurge in paleo, keto, and other low carb diets, nuts and nut butters fill the void. But could it be that your peanut butter habit is sticking to your waist-line? The Good: I’m all for adding fats. Whole nuts, seeds and natural nut butters are a great source of heart healthy fat, high in omega 3s, fibre, and nutrients. They offer some protein and due to their fat content offer some satiety, which is a plus. The Bad: Per gram, fats are more than twice the calories as carbs and proteins. Nuts, seeds and nut butters, being a significant source of fat are thus calorie dense. How many of you measure your nuts or pay attention to how much nut butter you spoon out? Since psychologically 12-15 almonds or a mere tbsp of PB seems pretty meagre, it’s easy to overdo it. The Bottom Line: Including these healthy fats is a definite DO for our diet but portion control is key. For all the low carbers out there, your fat needs are indeed higher, just know that these tasty little bites are not a free for all. Solution: Measure Measure Measure. If you’re a sucker for nuts and nut butters pre pack them in controlled quantities or find them already pre packed in individual sachets (black diamond brand sells these and found at most Costco stores). Avoid mindless snacking on nuts in front of the T.V., or having a nut jar on your desk which could facilitate overdoing it. 3. Salads So you heard it here, salads and raw veggies could be making you fat! No, it’s not the plate of romaine or a few baby carrots that's the problem, but how about the dips and toppings on your greenery? Peruse the nutritional facts on some popular chain restaurant menus and have a look at how your salads could be adding up. The Good: Veggies are very high in water, fibre, vitamins and minerals and the ruffage takes time to chew and digest helping with satiety. The veggies themselves are nutritionally dense NOT calorically dense. Filling your plate with loads of veg is great for preventing hunger, and keeping us super healthy. The Bad: Most don't eat a plain plate of leaves or raw veg unadorned. Tune in to the fancy toppings, adding loads of calories, including bacon bits, shredded cheese, chèvre, dried fruits, nuts and seeds, crispy tortilla bits, and the list goes on. Then add on the dips and dressings poured generously on top. You get the picture. One tablespoon of dressing or dip alone runs you 120 calories or more. I’ve seen restaurant salads racking up to over 600 calories per plate. The Bottom Line: Salads and raw veg are a great choice. Most of us need to be eating more! They don’t have to be bland to be healthy, but added dressings and crunchy bits can add up. When it comes to raw veg, how many times does your carrot hit the dip? The Solution: Compare labels, or make your own dressings and dips that are more healthful; for example replacing oil with greek yogurt and herbs or higher ratios of lemon juice, and vinegar. Measuring out your dressing and asking for it on the side when dining out gives you the most control and can be a significant calorie saver. The message here is that there CAN be too much of a good thing. Sometimes it’s not what you’re eating but how much! Practicing mindful eating and proper portioning with all foods ensures you don’t overdo it. Learning more about food and the nutritional value of your snacks and staples can help you make more educated decisions. Check in with a nutrition expert, compare labels and menu nutrition data, or try out a food app tracker periodically to clue you in. Writer: Debora Sloan (RD, certified personal trainer and Crossfit coach) Everywhere you look, there are social media posts and articles claiming coconut oil to be the magical answer for digestion, dry skin, weight loss, and everything in between. This has people going out to buy buckets of the high fat oil and using it in cooking, baking and whole body care. Unfortunately, the scientific evidence has provided some mixed reviews, which confuses not only the general public, but also some health professionals too! Today, we look at the benefits and cautions of coconut oil and provide an ultimate conclusion to sum up what we currently know about this fad ingredient. Coconut oil comes from extracting and pressing the oil from the flesh of coconuts. There are two different versions available- unrefined and refined. Unrefined, or virgin coconut oil is a stronger tasting and flavourful option, while refined is more processed with a higher smoke point, making it better for cooking. What are the benefits? Flavour First and foremost, if you enjoy the flavour of coconut then this will be the oil for you. As mentioned before, unrefined coconut oil is richer in flavour and may be more pleasing to you for that reason alone. Shelf life Some brands may differ slightly in the shelf life, however; in general, coconut oil can be stored for one to two years. Since the melting point is approximately 24 degrees Celsius, the consistency of the oil will vary depending on the temperature of the storage space. In order to keep your coconut oil in solid form, it is recommended to store it in a cool and dry area. Smoke point The smoke point of oil is important to take into consideration when cooking at high temperatures, such as when frying foods. Exceeding the smoke point (the temperature at which the oil begins to burn and smoke) will create an unpleasant odour and alter the chemical make-up of the oil. Due to the reduction in the amount of nutrients in the oil as well as potentially creating harmful free radicals, it is suggested to avoid overheating oil in general. Luckily, the saturated chemical bonds of coconut oil can withstand some heat before it begins to break down. The smoke point of unrefined/virgin coconut oil is 350 degrees Fahrenheit, while refined is around 400 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. It is still recommended to not use coconut oil for frying foods, as these high temperatures will likely exceed the smoke point. Medium Chain Triglycerides Medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) are a form of saturated fatty acids that largely make up coconut oil and have been the topic of many research studies in the recent years. Evidence has suggested MCTs provide some form of weight loss aide, improvement in insulin sensitivity in Type 2 diabetics, increased HDL (“good”) cholesterol, increased fat oxidation (fat burning), and may play a dietary therapeutic role in the treatment of epilepsy for children. Why should I be cautious with coconut oil? This is where the recommendations get tricky. As you can see, there are some potential benefits to including coconut oil in your diet. However, there is still a need for additional research to assess the long-term health consequences of a diet high in saturated fat/MCT. A number of studies surrounding the benefits of coconut oil were performed on mice, and although this is a common occurrence, translating this information is not as easily done. There are many differences that need to be taken into consideration when applying mice/rat studies to human recommendations, so be aware of this. Conflicting evidence Here is a doozy: coconut oil does not necessarily completely correlate with the MCT researched benefits. Although coconut oil does contain MCTs, the actual amount of and available “benefits” have not yet been identified. Recently, there have also been research papers delving more into the effects of a diet high in MCT, suggesting that there may be an increase in hunger/appetite, which is the opposite of what has been previously understood. Additionally, the American Heart Association released a statement in June of 2017 that read “The advisory, an analysis of more than 100 published research studies dating as far back as the 1950s, reaffirmed that saturated fats raise LDL, or “bad” cholesterol. Tropical vegetable oils such as coconut oil contain high levels of saturated fats, and the authors reported that coconut oil raised LDL cholesterol in seven controlled trials.” Keeping heart health in mind is extremely important with the modern day high fat, highly processed and super-sized culture of North America. Be cautious with the amount of coconut oil, and saturated fat in general you are including in your diet. In summary, there are a lot of mixed messages when it comes to coconut oil. Human research is still needed to provide more applicable and concrete recommendations for the general population to follow. That being said, consuming high amounts of calorically dense fat, WILL set you up for weight gain. If you want to switch up your options for oils, give coconut oil a try in small amounts. Opt for unsaturated fats such as extra virgin olive oil or canola oil more often, as these have been heavily researched and are known for their heart healthy properties. Ashlen Leonard, RD, BASc, PMDip Registered Dietitian leonard.ashlen@gmail.com |
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