The Top Food Additives to Avoid

Part of leading a healthy and active life style is learning how to buy groceries that do not contain additives. It is best to eat raw, organic and from the farmer’s field whenever possible because additives in foods are very addictive. Furthermore, additives in food can expand your waistline, prevent your body from absorbing minerals and vitamins and encourage a fatty liver and insulin resistance.

Artificial Sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners are combinations of chemicals designed to make food taste sweeter. They are often found in foods that seem healthy or that are labeled hose are combination of chemicals that make food taste sweeter. Beware of finding them in baby foods that are labeled “natural”, “sugar-free” or organic.

These sweeteners cause cravings for more sweeteners and train the brain to mindlessly eat foods full of calories. Most foods that contain artificial sweeteners, like packaged bakery goods are also of poor nutritional quality.

Red dye additives are found in many foods such as Red Velvet Cake

Except for Stevia and Xylitol, that have larger molecules that are not absorbed by the body, it is best to avoid all artificial sweeteners.

Artificial Colors

Artificial colors do not occur in nature. Many are made from coal tar and can contain up to ten parts per million of arsenic or lead and still be met with approval by the FDA.

Here is a list of the worst coloring agents:

Blue #1, found in soft drinks, baked goods, and candy, and soft drinks, has been shown to damage the chromosomes in a cell’s nucleus and lead to irreversible free radical damage

Blue #2, which is found in fruit juices and candy, may cause brain tumours.

Citrus Red #1 is sprayed on green oranges to give them a pleasing orange color and it causes cancer

Citrus Red #2, used to dye the peels of some Florida oranges, can cause cancer.

Red #3 is often added to ice cream, muffins, canned goods and ice cream. Studies have linked this dye to nerve damage and to thyroid cancer.

Red #40 is found in gelatine, soda, candy, pastry, pet food, and it is also used to dye red meat so that it looks fresh in butcher case.

Yellow #5 is the second most widely used colorant, and it contributes to mood changes, and can cause allergic reactions. It is found in gelatine desserts and baked goods.

Yellow #6 can cause tumours in the adrenal glands and kidneys. It is found in baked goods, beverages, meat products, baked goods, candy, and gelatine.[1]


BHA and BHT
These preservatives stop food oils from going rancid. These additives seem may cause insomnia, and have been associated with liver and kidney damage, baldness, behavioural problems, cancer, fatal abnormalities, and premature aging.

Sodium Nitrate and Nitrite

Nitrates preservatives that are added to processed meat products such as bacon, corned beef, ham, hot dogs, lunchmeats, and sausage. They prevent the growth of bacteria in the product. However, hopefully you will be eating organic, grain-fed beef (and not a lot of it) rather than beef strewn with chemical preservatives when you are on the healthy and active program.


For more information about the Healthy & Active Program please visit our website at www.healthy-active.com. You may also call us in Toronto at (41) 440-2217 and ask for Adrienne Wright Bulow or Dr. Michael Rahman or email us at adrienne@healthy-active.com.

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[1] Scotti HHC, Kelly “The Dirty Dozen: 12 Food Additives to Avoid and Why http://fooddemocracy.wordpress.com/2008/01/18/the-dirty-dozen-12-foodsfood-additives-to-avoid-and-why/

Top 5 Vegetables That Offer Maximum Nutrition and Minimum Calories

In this article, we discuss most nutritionally dense vegetarian foods that also have the least calories. This nutritional equation is determined by the ANDI (Aggregate Nutrient Density Index) that rates foods in terms of efficient nourishment.  Foods that equal 1000 points or more are the top diet foods.

Foods have also been chosen for this list if they have low glycemic load. This means that the food must be rated at less than 100 points. The food also made the list if it had a very high Amino Acid profile, meaning that it contains a lot more protein then most vegetables.

These top nourishing foods are also rated according to their ability to reduce inflammation. This is called the Inflammation Factor. Therefore, if a food rates above 50 points it can help relieve the inflammation in your body that might be slowing your metabolism.

The top 10 vegetables that boost weight loss and metabolism are –

#1. Collard Greens. Collards contains no saturated fat or cholesterol. It is 92% a whole food and has a low glycemic load of only 4, which means that it provides you with steady energy. It has an inflammation factor rating of 279 which over five times the target of eating a food with an IF rating of 50. This makes this a very healing food that is ideal for weight loss.

Arugula

#2. Kale. Kale has an ANDI score of 1000 and contains no saturated fat or cholesterol. It is 85% a whole food and has a low glycemic load of only 3, which means it does not cause blood sugar spikes. It has an inflammation factor rating of 257, which makes it about six times more healing to the body then many foods.

#3. Bok Choy. Bok Choy, lost known as Chinese Cabbage, has an ANDI score of 824 and contains no saturated fat or cholesterol. It is 85% a whole food and has a low glycemic load of only 1. It is ideal for those who are diabetic and dieting. It has an inflammation factor rating of 127 that makes it profoundly healing.

#4. Raw Spinach. Raw spinach has an ANDI score of 739. It contains no saturated fat or cholesterol. It is 85% a whole food and is rated as having an astounding low glycemic load of 0. It has an inflammation factor rating of 78 that makes it a moderately anti-inflammatory food.

#5 . Arugula

Arugula has an ANDI score of 559 and is low in saturated fat and super low in cholesterol. It is 90 % a whole food and is rated as having a remarkable glycemic load of 0. It has an inflammation factor rating of 1, which makes it a mildly healing food when it comes to inflammation.

These foods are best eaten raw, but if you want to get into the habit of eating all five at once for a potent hit of antioxidants, protein and nourishment, you can combine them and steam them or lightly braise them in a pan with a bit of healthy oil.

For more information about the Healthy & Active Program please visit our website at www.healthy-active.com. You may also call us in Toronto at (41)440-2217 and ask for Adrienne Wright Bulow or Dr. Micheal Rahman or email us at adrienne@healthy-active.com.

The Metabolism Boosting Properties of Asparagus

Organic asparagus is widely available that is now in season so be sure to take advantage of the supremely nutritious, detoxifying and metabolism boosting properties of this vegetable offers people. It so packed with nutrition it is ideal for those trying to maintain a hormonally balanced and healthy diet.

Asparagus is now widely grown commercial all over the world in the United States, Australia, Peru and China but it is best to by locally from an organic farmer if at all possible.  Steam it until it is soft and then season with salt, pepper and your favorite fruit vinegar.

The Asparagus Story

Asparagus is a common garden vegetable, but exotic versions also grow wild and can be foraged in some areas of the world.   Asparagus has long been recognized for its nutritious qualities and it was served up as delicacy to ancient Greeks and Romans. 

The asparagus is technically a lily that belongs in the illaceae family, which includes daffodils, tulips, but also sulphuric alliums like onion and garlic.  The plant is usually grown from a seedling and when it matures, it can reach feet in height.  The most nutritious edible asparagus spears first appear at the base of the plant in early May and continue growing throughout most of the summer.

White asparagus, by the way, is not really white. These delicate looking spears result when farmers cover emerging shirts with dirt to prevent them from turning green.  This is done because asparagus spears that spend too much in the sun tend to be less tasty and tougher.  When shaded from light the asparagus spear develops a delicate taste that is reminiscent of mushrooms. When young the shoots also tend to be purple or reddish in color.  So when you buy purple asparagus, it is likely that you are buying younger, tender shoots.

 Asparagus is Highly Nutritious

Asparagus has the overall effect of boosting your metabolism because it is such an effective cleanser and body builder.  Here is a quick look at the many benefits of consuming this vegetable.

Asparagus is the ideal diet food. Just 100 grams, or about six medium sized spears, provides just 20 calories while at the same time providing high amounts of vitamin and fibre. 

Asparagus cleans out the digestive and cardiovascular systems.  Asparagus is one of those vegetables that has several beneficial effects to both your heart and stomach because it is super-high in fibre with 2.1 grams per six spears.  Dietary fibre cleans the colon, decreases LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and helps balance blood sugar.

Asparagus is rich in folates and B vitamins. Folates rev the metabolism by helping cell DNA in cells breathe and regenerate themselves and asparagus shoots are one of the few vegetables to contain a complete B-vitamin complex.

Asparagus is also very high in antioxidants.  The shoots provide about 35% of the RDA of Vitamin K and high amounts of the synergistic combination of A, C and E.

Asparagus is high in minerals. The young shoots are especially rich in copper, iron, calcium, potassium, manganese and phosphorus.

Finally, realize that this is an alkaline food that helps balance out the kind of acidosis in your system that can cause disruptions to your metabolism and weight gain. The vegetables fibrous bulk acts like a little broom, sweeping out all debris out of your system so it can operate more efficiently.

Healthy and Active - The Metabolism Program for Weight Loss and Energy, A client perspective

Here is a fantastic testimonial from one of our naturopathic doctors from one of her female clients  in Toronto using the Healthy and Active Program:

I came to ***** Natural Health Centre with an abundance of issues.

I felt tired all the time, had low energy, my joints in my whole body were achy, I suffered from PMS, hot flashes, anxiety, depression, heart palpitations and I didn't sleep well.

My family doctor had gone through all routine checks and had found nothing wrong with me.

In addition, I was about 60lbs overweight. Although I was counting calories and tried to exercise, my weight seemed to increase slowly but steadily.

At *****I was first introduced to the "Healthy and Active Program". Through identifying which foods my body needs and which foods I have to avoid, and changing my diet, I quickly started to recover. I had energy again, my joints stopped aching, hot flashes, anxiety and depression went away, and I could sleep well through the night again. I also lost about 15 lbs over the next three months by just following the "Healthy and Active Program".

To get my weight problems further under control, ******Natural Health suggested the "HCG Protocol". The first round of this program helped me to lose 22 lbs in about four weeks. By following the "Healthy and Active Program" afterwards, I could easily keep the weight off.

I just finished my second round of the "HCG Protocol", which brought my weight down another 26 lbs.

With the two programs ******Natural Health Centre helped me to feel healthy and well again. I could not be happier. "THANKS" to all the wonderful staff at ******Natural Health Centre and the Healthy and Active program

C.F. from Ajax, Ontario, Canada

Now this is one of many, many success stories that let's therapist's know how easy it is to incorporate the Health and Active Program into any medical practice, and for those of us interested in the program for weight loss one woman's story is a source for much inspiration !!

Boost your Metabolism and Loose weight with Juicing

Juicing 101,  tips for getting more fruits and veggies in your diet

There is no doubt that juicing holds the benefits of increasing our fruit and vegetable concentration in the diet not to mention all the great minerals and vitamins it provides; I am always recommending daily smoothies to patients because they are a easy and simple way to up your intake of high quality and nutritious food. They also make you feel positive towards starting your day off with something nutritious and healthy

Which fruits and vegetables should you juice? 

There are no rules on what and what not to juice but there are a few guidelines that are useful to follow. First of all it's better to juice vegetables than it is to juice fruit. This is because fruits are much higher in sugar and when they are juiced the sugar is isolated from the fruit fiber. When isolated sugar is consumed it enters our blood stream much faster because it does not have the fiber to help slow it's absorption. High spikes in blood sugar are not good for our bodies ability to maintain a consistent blood sugar level and can lead to issues such as insulin resistance and diabetes. Stick to juicing fresh vegetables and only add in a few fruits here and there to help make the juice taste a bit sweeter. 

Michael Rahman, N.D. and Jamie Smellie, N.D.