As a Registered Nutritionist, I have clients who come to me with a variety of ailments seeking to restore balance in their body. In this series "Habits for Vitality", I'm going to give you some basic habits to incorporate into your life to help you make the changes necessary to live an Optimal Life.
“What should I eat to be healthy?” I really wish there was one simple answer, but just as we are all unique in our personalities, we are unique in the foods we need to consume. A Ferrari needs high octane fuel and a Honda needs low octane fuel – that’s just the way it is for them to perform optimally. So what fuel do you need to perform optimally? Perhaps the information below will help answer that for you.
Hippocrates 460-377 B.C. once said, "Let thy food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food"
Lucretius, the Roman Healer/Philosopher observed some 2000 years ago, "One Man's food is another man's poison".
Have you ever heard of an elephant hunting down a wildebeest and eating that for lunch, or heard of a lion eating leaves and grass? Of course not. Animals instinctively know what food source their bodies require and eat only that.
As humans we have this instinct as well, the only problem is, we ignore it. The signs and symptoms are all there but due to an overabundance of food at our disposal we choose to eat all that is available without consideration for the affects on our body.
Example 1: you eat some food for dinner and then get wicked heartburn or indigestion.
What is the typical response to this? Take a pill to fix the problem. This seems ridiculous to me.
Why not reflect on the fact that whatever it was you ate is not right for your body and thus causing this uncomfortable reaction? You system is literally trying to regurgitate what it considers to be toxic.
Example 2: you go out for lunch with some friends and 2 hours later you are dopey and desire an afternoon nap.
What is the typical response to this? You grab a coffee or something sweet for a pick-me-up. Now you are setting yourself up to crash again.
Why not reflect on what you ate for lunch and recognize that whatever you had is putting a strain on your digestion – which by the way, requires a lot of energy – and try to figure out the problem. If you had pasta for lunch, try protein next time and see the difference (or vice versa).
Example 3: your girlfriend goes on a diet and loses a ton of weight practically overnight. You give it a try and not only does it not work, but the pounds pile on instead.
What is the typical response to this? you beat yourself up and wonder “what’s wrong with me” and perhaps even go to the health food store looking for a pill to solve the problem
Why not reflect on the fact that your girlfriend is different from you. One size most definitely does not fit all. Think about the foods that make you feel full and satisfied for a long time. Trying eating only protein or only carbs at a meal and note the difference in how long you feel energized.
Keep a food diary – not just what you eat, but how you feel. Consider the following:
Mental Clarity: are you able to sit and read a book and absorb the information or is your mind wandering?
Appetite: are you hungry less than 2 hours after eating or are you satisfied for hours?
Cravings: are you desperately looking for chocolate, sweets or potato chips?
Emotions: are you feeling emotionally stable or are you ready to freak out if anyone so much as says “boo” to you?
Physical: are you feeling any pain, discomfort, allergic reaction, indigestion, headache, etc.?
Sleep: are you able to sleep through the night without waking? If you wake up for a “toilet run” or because of a sound, can you fall back to sleep easily?
Your Metabolic Type is unique and hereditary. Eating the right foods in the right combinations for your Metabolic Type will make you feel great and improve your vitality and general well being.
Metabolic Typing Diet has been around since the mid 1980's when researchers in the US discovered "biochemical individuality". They found that no two individuals are alike on a biochemical or physiological level. Cutting-edge research by Wolcott and Fahey (2000) shows that a 'Metabolic Typing Diet' will enable you to:
• naturally achieve and maintain your ideal weight
• enhance athletic performance
• enjoy sustained energy and endurance
• conquer indigestion, fatigue and allergies
• bolster your immune system
• prevent and reverse diseases
• slow down the aging process
• overcome mood swings and depression
• ultimately improve your whole lifestyle and gain vitality
Each individual has a specific dominant metabolic rate, which is determined via factors such as heredity and environment, (weather, stress, etc). These factors may change over time, but by 'listening' to your body, you can regain and maintain a sense of well being and vitality.
Understanding your MT will lead to increased physical energy enabling you to perform everyday tasks better, control cravings, eliminate hunger between meals and ultimately to increase your sense of well-being.
If you would like to know your Metabolic Type and a list of the foods you should be eating, visit www.myhealthybalance.com, pay for the online test and I will email you the link and then the results when I get them. You will receive a full listing of the foods you should and should not eat and foods that are neutral. If you have specific ailments, there is further intake information we can incorporate to get a more detailed list of foods.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Habits for Vitality #3 “Drink Good Water Daily”
As a Registered Nutritionist, I have clients who come to me with a variety of ailments seeking to restore balance in their body. In this series "Habits for Vitality", I'm going to give you some basic habits to incorporate into your life to help you make the changes necessary to live an Optimal Life.
Most people only consider 3 Macronutrients when looking at their diet: Protein, Carbohydrates and Fats, but there is a fourth Macronutrient: Water.
There are 2 very important questions I ask clients after I have heard their primary goals (e.g. weight loss, pain reduction, allergy issues). The first is how much water they drink on a daily basis and the second is how often they have a bowel movement. The answers will usually tell me if they are adequately clearing toxins out of their body and that is always the best place to start. Most health issues center around digestion (or rather poor digestion) and holding excess toxins in the body. Therefore taking water into account is vital to achieving optimal health.
Water - we take it for granted daily. It's just not big deal to have a shower any time we want, water the lawn, wash the car, etc. It flows abundantly (so it seems) so what's the Big Deal? The reason it is so abundant on the earth is because we need it in abundance in our bodies.
What percentage of your body is water? Have a guess. It's between 55% and 80%. So how important do you feel it is to drink good water?
- Drink at least two glasses of good water as soon as you wake up and take some Probiotics (good bacteria for the intestines that are vital for proper digestion).
- Sip good water throughout the day.
- Drink then wait around 20 minutes before eating.
- Drink 1+ hour after eating.
Try NOT to eat and drink at the same time, this dilutes the HCL (Hydrochloric Acid) in your stomach! What's the color of your Urine? Yellow can mean you're dehydrated, or you've consumed some B complex vitamins!
The Brain, along with all the internal organs and cells rely on water as a crucial substance to allow for proper functioning. Mild dehydration can interfere with concentration and cause headaches. Instead of having a nap in the afternoon, try chugging 2 glasses of water and that sleepy feeling will likely disappear.
If you are trying to lose weight and you are not drinking enough water - Good Luck!!!! You will struggle and isn't that the last thing you want? Converting fat into energy in the body is a very complicated metabolic process which requires a great deal of water. Also waste is produced in this process that must be flushed out of the body. Give yourself a break. Drink more water and watch the weight slip away much more easily.
Clinical and scientific research exposes, for the first time, that recurring "chronic pains" are a signal system of the body indicating severe general or local dehydration. Most of the arthritis pains can be relieved simply by drinking water. Instead, however, the patient often receives costly pharmaceutical medications which treat the symptoms rather than cure the cause.
Most people do not consume enough water on a daily basis. Infants who are breast fed do NOT need to drink water, as they get plenty in the breast milk. If they are not breast fed, they should consume 1.5 ounces of water per pound of body weight. Children should drink an average of 40 ounces a day. Children should EAT fruit and DRINK water as fruit juice is loaded with natural sugars (add sometimes added sugars). Adults should drink at least 48 to 60 ounces a day and more if they are exercising vigorously.
Increase your water consumption by one glass per week until you reach the desired intake of about 8 glasses per day. This way, your body will slowly get accustomed to receiving more water and you won't be running to the toilet every 10 minutes. The ideal situation would be to consume 2 glasses upon rising in the morning then have 1 glass of water every hour until late afternoon. If you have a digital watch, set it to chime every hour as a reminder. If you consume your water in the early part of the day, you won't be waking in the night for trips to the toilet.
Most people only consider 3 Macronutrients when looking at their diet: Protein, Carbohydrates and Fats, but there is a fourth Macronutrient: Water.
There are 2 very important questions I ask clients after I have heard their primary goals (e.g. weight loss, pain reduction, allergy issues). The first is how much water they drink on a daily basis and the second is how often they have a bowel movement. The answers will usually tell me if they are adequately clearing toxins out of their body and that is always the best place to start. Most health issues center around digestion (or rather poor digestion) and holding excess toxins in the body. Therefore taking water into account is vital to achieving optimal health.
Water - we take it for granted daily. It's just not big deal to have a shower any time we want, water the lawn, wash the car, etc. It flows abundantly (so it seems) so what's the Big Deal? The reason it is so abundant on the earth is because we need it in abundance in our bodies.
What percentage of your body is water? Have a guess. It's between 55% and 80%. So how important do you feel it is to drink good water?
- Drink at least two glasses of good water as soon as you wake up and take some Probiotics (good bacteria for the intestines that are vital for proper digestion).
- Sip good water throughout the day.
- Drink then wait around 20 minutes before eating.
- Drink 1+ hour after eating.
Try NOT to eat and drink at the same time, this dilutes the HCL (Hydrochloric Acid) in your stomach! What's the color of your Urine? Yellow can mean you're dehydrated, or you've consumed some B complex vitamins!
The Brain, along with all the internal organs and cells rely on water as a crucial substance to allow for proper functioning. Mild dehydration can interfere with concentration and cause headaches. Instead of having a nap in the afternoon, try chugging 2 glasses of water and that sleepy feeling will likely disappear.
If you are trying to lose weight and you are not drinking enough water - Good Luck!!!! You will struggle and isn't that the last thing you want? Converting fat into energy in the body is a very complicated metabolic process which requires a great deal of water. Also waste is produced in this process that must be flushed out of the body. Give yourself a break. Drink more water and watch the weight slip away much more easily.
Clinical and scientific research exposes, for the first time, that recurring "chronic pains" are a signal system of the body indicating severe general or local dehydration. Most of the arthritis pains can be relieved simply by drinking water. Instead, however, the patient often receives costly pharmaceutical medications which treat the symptoms rather than cure the cause.
Most people do not consume enough water on a daily basis. Infants who are breast fed do NOT need to drink water, as they get plenty in the breast milk. If they are not breast fed, they should consume 1.5 ounces of water per pound of body weight. Children should drink an average of 40 ounces a day. Children should EAT fruit and DRINK water as fruit juice is loaded with natural sugars (add sometimes added sugars). Adults should drink at least 48 to 60 ounces a day and more if they are exercising vigorously.
Increase your water consumption by one glass per week until you reach the desired intake of about 8 glasses per day. This way, your body will slowly get accustomed to receiving more water and you won't be running to the toilet every 10 minutes. The ideal situation would be to consume 2 glasses upon rising in the morning then have 1 glass of water every hour until late afternoon. If you have a digital watch, set it to chime every hour as a reminder. If you consume your water in the early part of the day, you won't be waking in the night for trips to the toilet.
Habit #2 "Remember How To Breathe Like a Baby"
As a Registered Nutritionist, I have clients who come to me with a variety of ailments seeking to restore balance in their body. In this series "Habits for Vitality", I'm going to give you some basic habits to incorporate into your life to help you make the changes necessary to live an Optimal Life.
Stress causes numerous physiological changes, including changes in how we breathe. When we are stressed, our breath becomes shallow usually due to increased blood pressure, then oxygen levels drop and stress increases. A viscous cycle thus begins. One of the most important ways to get stress under control is to slow down our breathe cycle.
Isn't it amazing how our body does things without us even knowing it? Our breath is essential to our survival and we can only last six minutes maximum without breathing in more oxygen.
Did you know that 75% of diseases have been related to poor breathing techniques!
Try this first, stand up straight and put your right hand on your heart (centre of your chest) and your left hand on your stomach. Breathe normally and observe what moves and when. Do not take in more air than you normally do, but rather, quietly observe your breath and notice which hand is doing most of the moving.
Take a moment or two to notice how you breathe. Is it your chest hand or your stomach hand that moves first? Place both your hands on your lower ribcage now. Relax your abdomen, and as you inhale a normal amount of air, feel your ribcage expand all around. Allow the air to come out all by itself. Notice how your spine moves.
How did you breathe? Like a baby or are you a chest breather? Now concentrate on deeply filling your lower lungs first then your upper chest. Empty the lower then your upper chest. Breathing properly utilises more calories, relaxes you and makes you feel phenomenal! Spend at least a few times a day while in your office or while driving, concentrating on your deep breathing techniques. It will relax and reenergise you.
Deep breathing massages all our internal organs including the heart, decompresses our spine, oxygenates each and every cell in our body, and can relax your mind if you breathe deeply. Try having an argument when you are consciously breathing deeply with your respective other or friend. It's impossible; your body is too relaxed. You can't possibly argue and breathe deeply at the same time!
Stress causes numerous physiological changes, including changes in how we breathe. When we are stressed, our breath becomes shallow usually due to increased blood pressure, then oxygen levels drop and stress increases. A viscous cycle thus begins. One of the most important ways to get stress under control is to slow down our breathe cycle.
Isn't it amazing how our body does things without us even knowing it? Our breath is essential to our survival and we can only last six minutes maximum without breathing in more oxygen.
Did you know that 75% of diseases have been related to poor breathing techniques!
Try this first, stand up straight and put your right hand on your heart (centre of your chest) and your left hand on your stomach. Breathe normally and observe what moves and when. Do not take in more air than you normally do, but rather, quietly observe your breath and notice which hand is doing most of the moving.
Take a moment or two to notice how you breathe. Is it your chest hand or your stomach hand that moves first? Place both your hands on your lower ribcage now. Relax your abdomen, and as you inhale a normal amount of air, feel your ribcage expand all around. Allow the air to come out all by itself. Notice how your spine moves.
How did you breathe? Like a baby or are you a chest breather? Now concentrate on deeply filling your lower lungs first then your upper chest. Empty the lower then your upper chest. Breathing properly utilises more calories, relaxes you and makes you feel phenomenal! Spend at least a few times a day while in your office or while driving, concentrating on your deep breathing techniques. It will relax and reenergise you.
Deep breathing massages all our internal organs including the heart, decompresses our spine, oxygenates each and every cell in our body, and can relax your mind if you breathe deeply. Try having an argument when you are consciously breathing deeply with your respective other or friend. It's impossible; your body is too relaxed. You can't possibly argue and breathe deeply at the same time!
Habit for Vitalilty #1. "Create Thoughts That Will Serve You"
As a Registered Nutritionist, I have clients who come to me with a variety of ailments seeking to restore balance in their body. In this series "Habits for Vitality", I'm going to give you some basic habits to incorporate into your life to help you make the changes necessary to live an Optimal Life.
No Matter what the ailment is, a common thread among my clients is often the way they talk and think about themselves. They are angry about the mistakes they have made, discouraged by bad habits, feel unable to change and are generally very hard on themselves. This is an important place to begin. If you don't see yourself as capable of success, then it won't come. Therefore, to have success in the body, we must first start with the mind.
Your Emotional Health directly affects the quality of your. Your emotional wellbeing is the foundation beneath Self Confidence and this allows you to become whatever your heart desires. The cause of all negative emotions is a disruption in the body's energy system. Self-defeating, negative thinking, which often occurs subconsciously Psychological Reversal
One of the most unique things about us are certainly our thoughts... good, bad, ugly, positive, negative... they all make us special and they create our reality. They also have a major bearing on our state of health, now and in the future.
What is the Equation for Success?
Are you generally happy/sad most of the time? How stressed are you throughout the day? Stating the obvious, we are all different and unique; physically, biologically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally, etc.
Have you ever seen the equation T - A = R + ND
Your Thoughts lead to your Actions, which equal your Results + your New Destiny. If you're not happy with your results, no problem! Change your thinking! This will allow your actions and or behaviour to change and this will create your new Results.
"You are what you think having become what you thought" Buddha.
Here's a typical Thought Process many people fall into:
How many people do you know every day that wake up, look in their bathroom mirror and then provide themselves either an affirmation or just a thought like: "God I look awful", "You look like crap", "I'm so fat", etc. Any thought which does NOT serve you or bring you any benefit can be replaced with one that does.
Change the Thought Process:
Thoughts are powerful and have a major bearing on your health. You may feel like the above, however, CHANGE that thought by firstly saying, "Delete" or "Cancel" three times and replace it with one which will transform your life. "I'm so beautiful", "My waist line has reduced", "I'm looking younger every day". These thoughts become more powerful when they are stated out loud. You may find it embarrassing, talking out loud, so state them while you shower, with the door closed! Recognize your feelings when you make these statements. When your feelings are incongruent with your words, you will create a closer connection to "The Law of Attraction". That will be an amazing start to your journey... getting you to where you'd like to be.
My challenge to you is:
Start by making your unconscious thoughts become conscious and over the next week replace those thoughts in your head, which don't get you to where you want to be.
No Matter what the ailment is, a common thread among my clients is often the way they talk and think about themselves. They are angry about the mistakes they have made, discouraged by bad habits, feel unable to change and are generally very hard on themselves. This is an important place to begin. If you don't see yourself as capable of success, then it won't come. Therefore, to have success in the body, we must first start with the mind.
Your Emotional Health directly affects the quality of your. Your emotional wellbeing is the foundation beneath Self Confidence and this allows you to become whatever your heart desires. The cause of all negative emotions is a disruption in the body's energy system. Self-defeating, negative thinking, which often occurs subconsciously Psychological Reversal
One of the most unique things about us are certainly our thoughts... good, bad, ugly, positive, negative... they all make us special and they create our reality. They also have a major bearing on our state of health, now and in the future.
What is the Equation for Success?
Are you generally happy/sad most of the time? How stressed are you throughout the day? Stating the obvious, we are all different and unique; physically, biologically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally, etc.
Have you ever seen the equation T - A = R + ND
Your Thoughts lead to your Actions, which equal your Results + your New Destiny. If you're not happy with your results, no problem! Change your thinking! This will allow your actions and or behaviour to change and this will create your new Results.
"You are what you think having become what you thought" Buddha.
Here's a typical Thought Process many people fall into:
How many people do you know every day that wake up, look in their bathroom mirror and then provide themselves either an affirmation or just a thought like: "God I look awful", "You look like crap", "I'm so fat", etc. Any thought which does NOT serve you or bring you any benefit can be replaced with one that does.
Change the Thought Process:
Thoughts are powerful and have a major bearing on your health. You may feel like the above, however, CHANGE that thought by firstly saying, "Delete" or "Cancel" three times and replace it with one which will transform your life. "I'm so beautiful", "My waist line has reduced", "I'm looking younger every day". These thoughts become more powerful when they are stated out loud. You may find it embarrassing, talking out loud, so state them while you shower, with the door closed! Recognize your feelings when you make these statements. When your feelings are incongruent with your words, you will create a closer connection to "The Law of Attraction". That will be an amazing start to your journey... getting you to where you'd like to be.
My challenge to you is:
Start by making your unconscious thoughts become conscious and over the next week replace those thoughts in your head, which don't get you to where you want to be.
Arthritis: Part 3 – Supplements
As a Registered Nutritionist, I have seen dozens of clients who live constantly with Joint Pain and Arthritis. When I look at their daily diet journal, they are often eating too many of the foods that will aggravate the problem and not enough of the foods that will help alleviate the problem. In part 1 of this 2 part lens on Arthritis, I will give some suggestions on the best supplements to incorporate into your diet to help reduce your daily pain.
FISH OIL: Contains a direct source of omega 3 fatty acids that reduce joint inflammation and promote joint lubrication. (It is better than flax oil – but this is an option for vegetarians). Make sure that the fish oil is molecularly distilled to remove any heavy metals, such as mercury, from the oil. This process makes it more expensive but it is worth it because heavy metals get stored in the brain and liver and can lead to other health problems. Recent research indicates that many Alzheimer’s patients have mercury deposits in the memory section of the brain. Take at least 1.8mg of DHA and 1.2mg of EPA daily
GLUCOSAMINE SULFATE: This is a remedy specific to Osteoarthritis only. It helps to reduce joint pain and rebuild cartilage. Take 1,500mg daily
METHYLSULFONYLMETHANE (MSM): Has natural anti-inflammatory properties and contains the mineral sulfur which is a component of cartilage.
HIGH-QUALITY MULTI-VITAMIN: You get what you pay for. Drug-store variety vitamins are usually very look quality, use sub-optimal ingredients, cannot be assimilated properly in the body and can sometimes cause more harm than good. Take the time to research the best supplements you can afford and use those. You can visit my website www.myhealthybalance.com to see which supplements I recommend.
BETAINE HCL: Hydrochloric Acid (HCL) is required to properly digest proteins in the stomach. People suffering from Arthritis are often chronically low on HCL (see my lens – The Truth About Acid Reflux) and the undigested protein becomes toxic in their system and results in joint pain. Follow directions on the bottle.
BROMELAIN: Bromelain, a proteolytic enzyme, is the key to pineapple's value. Proteolytic means "breaks down protein", which is why pineapple is known to be a digestive aid. It helps the body digest proteins more efficiently. Bromelain is also considered an effective anti-inflammatory.
TURMERIC: Is a powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant. It is important to reduce inflammation in the joint before repair can take place. Turmeric is the main spice used in curry (it provides the bright orange/yellow color), but can also be taken in supplement form.
VITAMIN C: Known as the “healing vitamin”, it is one of the building blocks of collagen, is an anti-inflammatory and helps repair damaged tissue. It is also the only vitamin that tells us when we have had enough through “bowel tolerance”. When you take too much vitamin C, you develop gas and diarrhea. Start with 1000mg per day and add an additional 1000mg everyday until you reach bowel tolerance, then pull back. The amount will be different for everyone and may change throughout the year.
GINGER ROOT: Is a great choice for relief of both inflammation and pain. Pour boiling water over grated ginger root and drink the tea. (You can add some natural honey for flavor if you wish)
GREEN FOODS: Chlorella and spirulina are both super green foods that are high in antioxidants and aid in detoxification.
FISH OIL: Contains a direct source of omega 3 fatty acids that reduce joint inflammation and promote joint lubrication. (It is better than flax oil – but this is an option for vegetarians). Make sure that the fish oil is molecularly distilled to remove any heavy metals, such as mercury, from the oil. This process makes it more expensive but it is worth it because heavy metals get stored in the brain and liver and can lead to other health problems. Recent research indicates that many Alzheimer’s patients have mercury deposits in the memory section of the brain. Take at least 1.8mg of DHA and 1.2mg of EPA daily
GLUCOSAMINE SULFATE: This is a remedy specific to Osteoarthritis only. It helps to reduce joint pain and rebuild cartilage. Take 1,500mg daily
METHYLSULFONYLMETHANE (MSM): Has natural anti-inflammatory properties and contains the mineral sulfur which is a component of cartilage.
HIGH-QUALITY MULTI-VITAMIN: You get what you pay for. Drug-store variety vitamins are usually very look quality, use sub-optimal ingredients, cannot be assimilated properly in the body and can sometimes cause more harm than good. Take the time to research the best supplements you can afford and use those. You can visit my website www.myhealthybalance.com to see which supplements I recommend.
BETAINE HCL: Hydrochloric Acid (HCL) is required to properly digest proteins in the stomach. People suffering from Arthritis are often chronically low on HCL (see my lens – The Truth About Acid Reflux) and the undigested protein becomes toxic in their system and results in joint pain. Follow directions on the bottle.
BROMELAIN: Bromelain, a proteolytic enzyme, is the key to pineapple's value. Proteolytic means "breaks down protein", which is why pineapple is known to be a digestive aid. It helps the body digest proteins more efficiently. Bromelain is also considered an effective anti-inflammatory.
TURMERIC: Is a powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant. It is important to reduce inflammation in the joint before repair can take place. Turmeric is the main spice used in curry (it provides the bright orange/yellow color), but can also be taken in supplement form.
VITAMIN C: Known as the “healing vitamin”, it is one of the building blocks of collagen, is an anti-inflammatory and helps repair damaged tissue. It is also the only vitamin that tells us when we have had enough through “bowel tolerance”. When you take too much vitamin C, you develop gas and diarrhea. Start with 1000mg per day and add an additional 1000mg everyday until you reach bowel tolerance, then pull back. The amount will be different for everyone and may change throughout the year.
GINGER ROOT: Is a great choice for relief of both inflammation and pain. Pour boiling water over grated ginger root and drink the tea. (You can add some natural honey for flavor if you wish)
GREEN FOODS: Chlorella and spirulina are both super green foods that are high in antioxidants and aid in detoxification.
Arthritis: Part 1 – Foods to Eat
As a Registered Nutritionist, I have seen dozens of clients who live constantly with Joint Pain and Arthritis. When I look at their daily diet journal, they are often eating too many of the foods that will aggravate the problem and not enough of the foods that will help alleviate the problem. In part 1 of this 2 part lens on Arthritis, I will give some suggestions on the best foods to incorporate into your diet to help reduce your daily pain.
"You are what you eat!" How often have you heard that expression and really thought about what it means. Next to breathing, there is really nothing that we do more often than eat. Most people eat 5 to 6 times a day, whether it be a full meal or just a snack. But as you eat, are you really considering that this is the fuel on which your body runs.
Here is an analogy for you. If you own a Ferrari and you need to fill up on gas, do you get the cheapest, low octane fuel? Of course not because you will destroy the engine. However, a Honda Civic needs that cheaper fuel and would be damaged by the high octane variety. So what is the real issue here. Is there a problem with either car? No. Is there a problem with either fuel? No. The problem is putting the wrong fuel in the wrong vehicle, or vise versa, putting the right fuel in the right vehicle.
So are you a Ferrari or a Honda? Are you putting the correct fuel in your body? Well if you have chronic pain and/or disease you already have your answer. When it comes to food, just like with engine fuel, “one size does NOT fit all”. So here are some suggested foods to help get your engine running more efficiently.
FLAX SEEDS: are high in essential fatty acids and have anti-inflammatory properties.
COLD WATER FISH: are also high in essential fatty acids and have anti-inflammatory properties. Examples include salmon, mackerel, tuna, trout and herring.
CRUCIFEROUS VEGETABLES: Broccoli and cauliflower have anti-inflammatory properties.
RAW VEGETABLES & WHOLE GRAINS: They are full of fiber which helps to sweep away minerals and acid build up and keep the digestive system free of harmful bacteria.
SULFUR RICH FOODS: sulfur helps to repair cartilage and bones. Examples include asparagus, cabbage, garlic and onions.
RAW PINEAPPLE: has an enzyme called bromelain which has been shown to reduce significantly diminished in patients who increased their water intake to 6 – 8 glasses a day.
CURRY: Turmeric is one of the main spices in curry and it has powerful anti-inflammatory affects as well as being a wonderful antioxidant.
"You are what you eat!" How often have you heard that expression and really thought about what it means. Next to breathing, there is really nothing that we do more often than eat. Most people eat 5 to 6 times a day, whether it be a full meal or just a snack. But as you eat, are you really considering that this is the fuel on which your body runs.
Here is an analogy for you. If you own a Ferrari and you need to fill up on gas, do you get the cheapest, low octane fuel? Of course not because you will destroy the engine. However, a Honda Civic needs that cheaper fuel and would be damaged by the high octane variety. So what is the real issue here. Is there a problem with either car? No. Is there a problem with either fuel? No. The problem is putting the wrong fuel in the wrong vehicle, or vise versa, putting the right fuel in the right vehicle.
So are you a Ferrari or a Honda? Are you putting the correct fuel in your body? Well if you have chronic pain and/or disease you already have your answer. When it comes to food, just like with engine fuel, “one size does NOT fit all”. So here are some suggested foods to help get your engine running more efficiently.
FLAX SEEDS: are high in essential fatty acids and have anti-inflammatory properties.
COLD WATER FISH: are also high in essential fatty acids and have anti-inflammatory properties. Examples include salmon, mackerel, tuna, trout and herring.
CRUCIFEROUS VEGETABLES: Broccoli and cauliflower have anti-inflammatory properties.
RAW VEGETABLES & WHOLE GRAINS: They are full of fiber which helps to sweep away minerals and acid build up and keep the digestive system free of harmful bacteria.
SULFUR RICH FOODS: sulfur helps to repair cartilage and bones. Examples include asparagus, cabbage, garlic and onions.
RAW PINEAPPLE: has an enzyme called bromelain which has been shown to reduce significantly diminished in patients who increased their water intake to 6 – 8 glasses a day.
CURRY: Turmeric is one of the main spices in curry and it has powerful anti-inflammatory affects as well as being a wonderful antioxidant.
Arthritis: Part 2 – Foods to Avoid
As a Registered Nutritionist, I have seen dozens of clients who live constantly with Joint Pain and Arthritis. When I look at their daily diet journal, they are often eating too many of the foods that will aggravate the problem and not enough of the foods that will help alleviate the problem. In part 1 of this 2 part lens on Arthritis, I will give some suggestions on the best foods to incorporate into your diet to help reduce your daily pain.
As I explained in my other Lens about Arthritis: Part I - Foods to Eat, what you put in your body directly affects how it funs.
Here is the analogy again for those of you who missed Part I. If you own a Ferrari and you need to fill up on gas, do you get the cheapest, low octane fuel? Of course not, because you will destroy the engine. However, a Honda Civic needs that cheaper fuel and would be damaged by the high octane variety. So what is the real issue here. Is there a problem with either car? No. Is there a problem with either fuel? No. The problem is putting the wrong fuel in the wrong vehicle, or vise versa, putting the right fuel in the right vehicle.
So are you a Ferrari or a Honda? Are you putting the correct fuel in your body? Well if you have chronic pain and/or disease you already have your answer. When it comes to food, just like with engine fuel, “one size does NOT fit all”. So here are some suggested foods to avoid to help get your engine running more efficiently.
ACID PROMOTING FOODS: too much acid in the body causes inflammation which leads to pain. Avoid the following acid-promoting foods:
- red meat,
- eggs,
- saturated fats,
- fried foods,
- sugar,
- dairy products,
- refined carbohydrates,
- foods high in gluten (breads, pasta, pastries),
- alcohol
- caffeine.
NIGHTSHADE VEGETABLES: these contain a substance called solanine which can trigger allergic responses and pain in some allergy suffers. Try eliminating these foods for 6 weeks and see if there is a difference
- tomatoes,
- potatoes,
- eggplant
- peppers.
As I explained in my other Lens about Arthritis: Part I - Foods to Eat, what you put in your body directly affects how it funs.
Here is the analogy again for those of you who missed Part I. If you own a Ferrari and you need to fill up on gas, do you get the cheapest, low octane fuel? Of course not, because you will destroy the engine. However, a Honda Civic needs that cheaper fuel and would be damaged by the high octane variety. So what is the real issue here. Is there a problem with either car? No. Is there a problem with either fuel? No. The problem is putting the wrong fuel in the wrong vehicle, or vise versa, putting the right fuel in the right vehicle.
So are you a Ferrari or a Honda? Are you putting the correct fuel in your body? Well if you have chronic pain and/or disease you already have your answer. When it comes to food, just like with engine fuel, “one size does NOT fit all”. So here are some suggested foods to avoid to help get your engine running more efficiently.
ACID PROMOTING FOODS: too much acid in the body causes inflammation which leads to pain. Avoid the following acid-promoting foods:
- red meat,
- eggs,
- saturated fats,
- fried foods,
- sugar,
- dairy products,
- refined carbohydrates,
- foods high in gluten (breads, pasta, pastries),
- alcohol
- caffeine.
NIGHTSHADE VEGETABLES: these contain a substance called solanine which can trigger allergic responses and pain in some allergy suffers. Try eliminating these foods for 6 weeks and see if there is a difference
- tomatoes,
- potatoes,
- eggplant
- peppers.
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