Nutrition

Subterms

    More stories

    • 113 Shares

      in diet and nutrition

      28 Easy Food Swaps That’ll Help You Lose Weight

      by

      There’s a simple hack that can boost your weight loss, leave you feeling fuller for longer and have you feeling more regular. It’s called fibre and this often-overlooked food can deliver major benefits to your body. Not only does it keep your system nice and clean, fibre has a genius move in its arsenal: the ability to keep you feeling fuller for longer, boosting satiety. That feeling of fullness is a major key in weight loss, prompting you to eat less instead of more. These genius food swaps find the high-fibre substitutes of other foods, which are often healthier, too.
      Why you need to switch up your food
      We all know our bodies need calcium for bones, vitamin C to fend off colds and chocolate to save relationships. But when it comes to losing weight, the nutritional information is a little more confusing. The mighty trilogy of nutrients – protein, carbohydrates and fat – garners most of the food industry’s attention, but it’s becoming increasingly clear that fibre needs to be the fourth leg of the dietary table.
      Study after study shows that not only does fibre help lower your risk of cancer, heart attack and high blood pressure, it also keeps you full and helps you decrease the total amount of kilojoules you consume every day. Trouble is, most of us think that getting the recommended 30g of fibre a day means eating cereal that tastes like the box it comes in. But that isn’t the case. You can sneak fibre into your diet anywhere…
      Food Swaps At Breakfast
      1. Spice up your eggs: A third of a cup of chopped onion and one clove of garlic will add one gram of fibre to scrambled eggs.
      2. Drop a whole orange into the blender to flavour your morning smoothie. One peeled orange has nearly three grams more fibre than even the pulpiest orange juice.
      3. Make your own fruit juice. Blend peeled, sliced and cored or pitted fresh fruit with a little cold water in a food processor. Drink immediately for the best nutritional value. A 250ml glass has more than one gram of fibre.
      4. Cook a bowl of oat bran instead of oats; it has nearly two grams more fibre. Add even more flavour and fibre by stirring in a quarter of a cup of raisins or chopped dates before popping it into the microwave.
      5. Sprinkle ground flaxseeds over your favourite cold cereal or stir a few spoonfuls into a cup of yoghurt. Two tablespoons of ground flaxseeds deliver almost an extra two grams of fibre.
      6. Grab an Asian pear. Similar in taste to other pears, the red-coloured Asian variety has an apple-like crispness and shape and, at four grams a pear, it delivers significantly more fibre.
      7. Buy spreadable fibre, like peanut butter, for your wholewheat toast. Two level tablespoons add three grams of fibre, along with a healthy dose of heart-protecting fats and nutrients like vitamin E.
      8. Make a smoothie using fruit or oats, as these contain at least two grams more fibre than blends that aren’t fruit-based or don’t include oats.
      READ MORE: 5 Ways To Measure Healthy Portion Sizes Without A Scale
      At lunch
      9. Try rye bread if you don’t like wholewheat for your sandwich. One slice has almost two grams of fibre – twice the amount found in white bread.
      10. Opt for quinoa instead of white rice and you’ll get six times more fibre per serving. Mixing in half a cup of lentils with the quinoa will add a nutty flavour, another six grams of fibre and a boost of folate and manganese.
      11. Stow a tin of microwavable soup in your desk for when you need to work through lunch. Woolworths’ Chunky Vegetable Soup packs as much as five grams of fibre per 400g portion.
      12. Shower your pasta with origanum or basil. A teaspoon of either chopped herb adds one gram of fibre. Order it with mushrooms and you’ll get an extra gram.
      13. Build your burger with a sesame-seed roll instead of the plain variety. Sesame seeds add half a gram of fibre per roll.
      14. Order your boerie roll with tomato-and-onion relish Every quarter-cup of the relish you pile on adds up to two grams of fibre to your meal, and having a wholewheat roll tops that up with another three grams.
      READ MORE: 3 Meal Prep Hacks That Will Make It Way Easier To Eat Healthily
      In the afternoon
      15. Drink chocolate milk, not plain milk. The combination of chocolate and the compounds needed to keep it suspended in the milk provides a gram of fibre in every 250ml serving.
      16. Pop a pack of reduced-oil popcorn instead of popping open a bag of potato chips. There are eight grams of fibre in every bag of popcorn.
      17. Enjoy a tomato juice and its two grams of fibre per 200ml tin. Go with the plain juice and avoid the cocktail version, which is high in sodium from the added salt and Worcester sauce.
      18. Graze on trail mix instead of a granola bar. Most granola bars have only one gram of fibre, while trail mix with dried fruit has nearly three grams.
      READ MORE: ‘Keto Crotch’ Might Be A Surprising Side Effect Of A Low-Carb Diet
      At dinner
      19. Toss half a cup of chickpeas into a pot of your favourite soup. They’ll absorb the flavour of the soup and tack six grams of fibre onto your bottom line.
      20. Swap a sweet potato for your standard spud. Sweet potatoes have two grams more fibre per tuber than the typical variety. Not a fan? At least eat the skin of the regular potato – that alone contains one gram of fibre.
      21. Go wild when you make rice. Cup for cup, wild rice has three times more fibre than white.
      22. Add some green to your red sauce. Doctor your favourite pasta sauce with half a cup of chopped spinach. The spinach will take on the flavour of the sauce and pad your fibre count by more than two grams.
      23. Cook wholewheat or spinach pasta instead of the usual semolina kind. A cup of either contains five grams of fibre.
      24. Cook broccoli, cauliflower and carrots and you’ll take in three to five grams of fibre per serving – nearly twice what you’ll get out of them if you eat them raw, as heat makes fibre more available.
      25. Add beans to give your bolognese a fibre boost. Substitute one part chopped, cooked beans for one part lean-beef mince. Cook both together to allow the beans to absorb the juices and seasoning. For every 100g of cooked beans, you get seven grams of fibre.
      READ MORE: Calories Vs Nutrients: What You Need To Know About Losing Weight
      For dessert
      26. Say nuts to chocolate bars. Bars with nuts, like Cadbury’s Whole Nut chocolate bar and Lunch Bars, have up to two grams of fibre – almost twice the fibre content of bars without nuts.
      27. Top a bowl of ice cream with sliced fresh berries in lieu of a chocolate topping. Half a cup of raspberries provides four grams of fibre; strawberries and blueberries pack half that amount.
      28. Try a slice of apple tart or a bowl of fresh fruit salad and you’ll add at least an extra three to five grams of fibre. Cake doesn’t have nearly as much. More

    • 163 Shares

      in health and weelbeing

      The Diet Culture Myths We Still Believe That Dietitians Say To Ditch ASAP

      by

      Editor’s Note: This essay discusses disordered eating and diet culture. Please take care of yourself if those topics could be triggering.
      Many of us feel like we want to change our bodies instead of love them. We may want to be smaller, taller, leaner, or more toned—anything deemed worthy or acceptable in the eyes of a culture obsessed with appearance. And while changing your body is a personal decision (as it should be), there are often underlying factors at play. Enter: diet culture. But we can each work to actively step away from diet culture and embrace a kinder, gentler way to be in our bodies and take up space in the world.
      To pull away the curtain from some of the subtler ways diet culture shows up in our lives, I tapped a few dietitians with plenty of insights to share. Read on for the diet culture myths they say to drop ASAP and the healthier habits to pick up instead.

      What is diet culture?
      Diet culture promotes a world view where looking a certain way affords you a certain level of acceptance. It’s the social expectations that say we have to fit into the right boxes to deserve X, Y, and Z (and in a world where anti-fat bias runs rampant, that tends to mean healthcare, employment, and respect). More troubling news: In a recent article, The Cut cited evidence via renewed interest in celebrities’ smaller bodies and clothing brands’ inability to deliver on promises of inclusive sizing as concerning proof that thin could be, as the writer puts it, “in again.”
      Diet culture–and thinness as an ideal–has infiltrated much of our world, and it’s a challenge to step away from it completely. Even if you haven’t experienced disordered eating, you’re probably familiar with phrases like “clean eating” or doing a detox after the holidays. While on the surface, these might fall into the category of what we’ve been sold as wellness, these myths are meant to keep us focused on appearance. If that makes you angry and ready to take action, you’re in good company. So let’s separate the fact from fiction, and start ditching diet culture today.

      Myth #1: Food is either good or bad
      Vegetables, good. Sugar, bad. Smoothies, good. Ice cream, bad. Fruit, good or bad? We’ve learned to categorize food in this way—dividing what we eat into buckets of judgment. Erin Reeves, a registered dietitian at Equip, called this “an incredibly harmful mindset.” She explained that because this habit is so deeply ingrained, it can create a sense of shame, anxiety, and guilt around food, as well as lead to other eating disorder behaviors. 
      “What we need to understand is that our self-worth is not dependent on the food we eat,” said Reeves. She offered a key reminder that health is relative, and we all have different needs that make us feel our best. Rather than thinking of food as black or white, it’s important to understand that different foods nourish us in different ways, nutritional value aside. Reeves encouraged us to release the shame, and embrace the fuel, connection, and pleasure that food provides.

      Myth #2: Detox diets cause weight loss
      Alyssa Wilson, a registered and licensed dietitian and metabolic success coach for Signos Health, wants us to ditch the dangerous pattern of detox diets and cleanses. The reality? They may lead to weight loss, but only in the short term. In fact, “Detox diets can actually do more harm than good.” Instead of going all in on a detox or following a restrictive cleanse, Wilson suggested just filling your diet with whole grains, fruits and veggies, lean proteins, and healthy fats (which will help support your body and its natural ability to detox, all on its own).

      Myth #3: Avoid or limit carbs
      I remember just about every rom-com from the mid-aughts contained a protagonist who swore off carbs. It was always with a desire to fit into a smaller dress or prep for a high school reunion—a belief driven by the myth that carbs lead to weight gain. Reeves explained that our bodies need at least 50% of daily calorie intake to come from carbs. “So if someone is cutting carbs from their diet, they might lose weight only since they are excluding their body’s basic needs,” she said. But that can be dangerous water to tread. Reeves noted that this may lead to weight “gain” as the body rehydrates and replenishes its carbohydrate stores.
      What’s more–and this applies to any food group we might cut out–this all-or-nothing behavior leads to a binge-restrict cycle where we may begin to fear some foods and feel out of control around them. Reeves’ short answer? “Carbs are awesome and every single person on this earth should be incorporating them daily.”

      Myth #4: Fast food is bad
      Though convenient, tasty, and capable of satisfying your late-night cravings, fast food has been demonized in our culture for years. Wendy Lord, a registered dietitian and medical content author at Health Reporter, admitted that while fast food doesn’t contain as much nutritional value as other foods, eating it on occasion won’t ruin your health or make you gain weight. Similar to the food-is-good-or-bad divide, if we try to restrict fast food, we can cause intense cravings. Instead, by learning to adopt a more accepting view of fast food (the All Foods Fit model is great inspiration), we can see fast food—and all its deliciousness—in an entirely different light.

      Myth #5: Intuitive eating is easy and everyone should practice it
      While I once believed intuitive eating was the solution to saying goodbye to diet culture once and for all, I’ve since learned that it’s not that simple. We may have been told plain and simple that we can learn to eat when we’re hungry and stop when we’re full, but Reeves cited many other factors, such as beliefs, culture, habits, and medical histories, that add complexity to the mix. Reeves noted that intuitive eating isn’t something we can develop overnight. In fact, it’s a process that can take years for people to develop. 
      Reeves encouraged getting to the truth of why you’re turning to intuitive eating. For example, if you want to try intuitive eating to move away from diet culture, reduce anxiety and shame around food, or improve your relationship with food, go ahead and practice eating intuitively. But Reeves cautioned that intuitive eating can be disguised as a weight loss plan. Even if you have the best intentions, intuitive eating can take years to achieve. You may need to work with a specialized nutritionist, therapist, or doctor to help you get back to a place of trusting your hunger cues, needs, and body. Bottom line: There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach to diet.

      Is the ‘What I Eat in a Day’ Trend Helpful or Harmful? More

    • 125 Shares

      in diet and nutrition

      5 Ways To Measure Healthy Portion Sizes Without A Scale

      by

      The Association for Dietetics (ADSA)  in South Africa held a Twitter Talk on #HealthyNutrition4All, which highlighted how South Africans are becoming one of the most obese populations in the world! Some of that is attributed to unhealthy lifestyle habits, but a hefty portion can contribute a lot to the statistic. Here, dietitians, The Heart & Stroke Foundation SA, FoodBank SA, Soil For Life and the Department of Health share tips on measuring your meal’s healthy portion sizes – without a scale.
      Use The Plate Model
      The Heart Foundation recommends using a plate to estimate how much starch, meat and vegetables you should eat. Half your plate should be veggies, a quarter starch and the rest protein.
      READ MORE: 5 Portion Control Tips You’ve Probably Never Heard Before
      Use Your Hands
      Dietician Maryke Gallagher advises that you should measure food with your fist. One portion of fruit should be the size of your fist. Also use your palm to measure how much protein, etc. you should be eating. A palm is the size estimate of your protein portion, your fist is the size of a starch portion and your full hand (or more) is the size of a veg portion.
      Know When You’re Full
      Dietician, Karlien Duvenhage, believes it’s important to be in tune with your body and start learning when you are hungry or full.
      READ MORE: What Really Happens To Your Body (And Brain) On A Detox Diet?
      Go Mini
      The Heart Foundation suggests you eat out of a small bowl, with smaller utensils and cups to make the meal appear ‘fuller’. Use a smaller bowl for rice and noodle dishes instead of a giant one; try eating your regular meals from side plates instead of full-size plates. This tricks your brain into thinking you’re eating a bigger meal and also makes you feel more satisfied with what you’ve eaten if it looks like a large portion of food, when really it’s a healthy portion.
      Your Portion Size Go-To Guide
      Meat should be the size of a deck of cards; carbohydrate portions (rice, bread, noodles and spaghetti) the size of a tennis ball; fat (bacon rind, oil, mayonnaise), the size your thumb; and veg is a free for all, according to dietician Jade Seeliger.
      READ MORE: Here’s Exactly How To Start Working Out Again, After A Winter Hibernating More

    • 100 Shares

      in health and weelbeing

      An Inside Look at Kat Jamieson’s Morning Routine

      by

      Welcome to The Everygirl Podcast. Whether you’re looking for insider secrets from successful women that have your dream job, are interested in expert advice to transform your health and feel your best, or just want to be entertained and laugh along with us on your commute, we’ve got you covered.

      We love an OG blogger, and it doesn’t get any more ~blueprint~ OG than Kat Jamieson, also known as the voice behind the lifestyle blog With Love From Kat. But Kat is so much more than just a stunning aesthetic (speaking of, check out her iconic California home tour here and her glam Manhattan apartment here). Since starting her blog in 2011, she has been on a transformative wellness journey, and this week on The Everygirl Podcast she’s spilling all of the tea (or green juice) on how she got to where she is with health and wellness. Plus, Kat shares all of the details about her first book, Blended, which incorporates cooking, entertaining, and living well holistically. Read on for Kat’s four-step morning routine, and listen to this week’s episode of The Everygirl Podcast for more tips.

      1. Sip hot water with lemon
      Kat’s caffeine of choice is a matcha with coconut milk, but before she drinks anything caffeinated, she always sips on hot water with lemon. She loves starting her morning off with this ritual because it keeps her digestion regular, wakes her up, and gives her a boost of vitamin C. Kat knows that the first thing that she puts into her body is going to set the tone for the rest of her day, so she recommends drinking hot lemon water before any caffeine to boost hydration and stabilize digestion.
       
      2. Meditate
      Kat is a huge advocate for meditation, but she knows it’s unrealistic to “clear your brain” in the way that most of us expect to when we meditate. Instead of putting pressure on herself to have a completely “clear mind,” Kat sees meditation as a strategy session. “I use it as time to go through my to-do list, or check in with how I’m feeling about a certain relationship in my life, something I’m stressed about, or something I’m excited about,” Kat said. “I get some of my best ideas and creative thoughts during that time.”
      But meditation doesn’t just offer mental benefits–Kat also credits meditation to helping heal gut symptoms and help with digestion, by helping to relax stomach muscles. She’s felt the benefits of daily meditation in her alertness, mental health, social life, and physical well-being.

      Source: @katjamieson_

      3. Drink a green juice every morning
      Kat swears by her daily green juice so much that she got her husband onto the habit too. For years, Kat tried to get her husband to drink green juice in the mornings, and she consistently received the response that he was more of an eggs-for-breakfast person. But once he finally listened and gave Kat’s advice a try, he started to feel so much better. Green juice isn’t for everyone, but Kat herself is obsessed with the digestive benefits of drinking it every morning.

      4. Get outside for natural sunlight
      Before she starts the rest of her day, Kat loves to go outside and soak up some sunlight to feel energized and awake for the rest of the day. She loves to get outside and walk her dog, and–now that she lives in the suburbs–she’ll even walk barefoot in the grass to do some grounding. “There’s something about walking barefoot in the grass or sand that kind of recalibrates and really calms you down. I notice a huge difference when I do that,” she said. More

    • 175 Shares

      in health and weelbeing

      This Powerful Ingredient Is Everywhere, and Experts Say It’s the Secret to Immune Health

      by

      Remember when chlorophyll water or sea moss gel was all the rage? Well now it’s time for bee products to have their turn in the spotlight. Whether it’s a honey face mask, bee pollen, or propolis throat spray, it seems like everywhere you turn, there’s a new bee product to try. I’m all for a new wellness trend, so I had to investigate bee products for myself. Spoiler alert: I became a huge fan. Bee products have been shown to have many health benefits, namely improved immunity. But in order to fully understand the different types of bee products out there, their benefits, and how to consume them, I turned to the experts. Ahead, the lowdown on what they had to say.

      In this article

      What are the different types of bee products?
      Today, there are tons of bee products available, but three of the most popular types are superfood honey, propolis, and bee pollen. As you probably already know, honey is the liquid processed by bees–but what may surprise you is the difference between the honey you find in your local grocery store and superfood honey. Dr. Mahmud Kara, MD, a doctor at the Cleveland Clinic and Founder of KaraMD, shared that most honey found in stores have undergone manufacturing and refining processes that rob honey of its beneficial nutrients and compounds. Superfood honey, on the other hand, has not undergone these processes and retains all its benefits. 
      Propolis is referred to as the “glue” or sticky substances that bees pick up from various plants to create their hives. It can be consumed in a variety of ways, whether it’s in the form of capsules, a liquid extract, or a throat spray, and can be found at many health food stores. Lastly, there’s bee pollen, which Dr. Kara said is the combination of plant pollen or residue and secretions that honeybees make while building hives and creating honey. The best way to buy bee pollen is in its 100% raw form. It is usually sold in jars and looks like small, yellow beads (available in some supermarkets and most health food stores). I find the best way to consume bee pollen is sprinkling some into smoothies, yogurt, or a salad.

      What are the benefits of bee products?
      Superfood honey, propolis, and bee pollen all provide immunity to the body in various ways. Kelly Springer, a registered dietician and nutrition ambassador at Wedderspoon, shared that superfood honey includes trace amounts of amino acids, vitamin B, vitamin C, minerals, and antioxidants. She added that including superfood honey in your diet can be extremely beneficial during cold and flu season, as well as before or after a workout. As an added bonus, superfood honey can also be very good for your gut microbiome, which impacts every part of the body, from your brain to your heart. Another perk of superfood honey is its benefits for the skin. Springer suggested making a DIY honey face mask, which can help support healthy and supple skin (adding to my skincare routine as we speak). 
      According to a 2017 study, propolis has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties. In other words, adding it into your diet can help reduce inflammation, Dr. Karr confirmed. My favorite way to consume propolis? Using Beekeepers Natural’s Throat Spray. Every time I use it, I immediately feel the effects. As for bee pollen, similar to superfood honey and propolis, it’s packed with numerous vitamins and minerals. Recent studies have even shown that bee pollen can help reduce the risk of disease, blood sugar regulation, cardiovascular protection, and immunity. The health benefits of bee products are extensive, but like adding any new product to your routine, there are some factors to be aware of.

      What to know before consuming bee products
      A large percentage of the population is allergic to bees and bee-based products, so talk to your doctor before adding any bee products into your diet. If you get the green light and decide to try a bee product, it’s important to consider where you buy it from. Choosing brands that are transparent about their sourcing, ingredients, and dosage instructions, ensures you get exactly what you are looking for when buying a bee product. 
      Bee products have been consumed by humans since ancient times as a natural remedy for illness and other ailments. Whether you take a spoonful of superfood honey to help fight a cold, add bee pollen to your smoothie for better gut health, or use a propolis throat spray for stronger immunity, bee products (when consulted by a doctor) can be a great aid in better overall health. 

      Here’s What I Learned From a Week on Athletic Greens More

    • 100 Shares

      in diet and nutrition

      3 Smashing Pumpkin Recipes That Go Beyond Halloween

      by

      Just because we don’t really celebrate Halloween doesn’t mean we can’t reap the benefits of healthy pumpkins! These pumpkin recipes will bewitch you with their perfect flavour pairings and warmth.
      Pumpkin Risotto With Crispy Sage
      Prep Time: 10 minutesCooking Time: 35 minutesIngredients– 5 cups low-sodium chicken broth– 1/4 cup olive oil– 8 sage leaves, plus 2 tsp minced fresh sage– 1/2 cup finely chopped shallots– 1 cup arborio rice– 1 cup sliced shiitake mushroom caps– 1/2 cup dry white wine– 3/4 cup canned pure pumpkin puree or pumpkin cooked and blended into puree– 3/4 cup plus 4 tsp shredded Parmesan– 1/2 tsp salt– 1/4 tsp freshly ground pepperMethodHeat broth in a saucepan until boiling, then keep at a simmer on the stove top.Heat olive oil in a saute pan until hot but not smoking. Add sage leaves and fry until crispy, 10 to 15 seconds. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.Transfer 1 tablespoon of the sage oil to a saucepan and discard the rest of the oil. Heat oil over medium-high heat. Add shallots and cook, stirring, until translucent but not browned, 5 to 6 minutes.Add rice and cook, stirring, until rice is glistening and coated with oil, 2 minutes. Add mushrooms and wine; cook, stirring, until most of the liquid is evaporated, 2 to 3 minutes.Add 1 cup broth and cook, stirring, until most of the liquid is evaporated, 2 to 3 minutes. Continue to add broth 1/2 cup at a time, stirring, until liquid is evaporated after each addition and until rice swells but is still al dente, 17 to 18 minutes.Add pumpkin puree, 3/4 cup cheese, salt, and pepper; cook, stirring, until incorporated, 1 to 2 minutes.Divide risotto among 4 bowls and garnish each with 2 fried sage leaves and 1 teaspoon cheese.Makes 4 Servings: Per serving: 1008 kJ, 7 g fat (2 g sat), 34g carbs, 680mg sodium, 3g fibre, 9g protein.
      READ MORE: Mindful Drinking: How More And More People Are Becoming ‘Sober Curious’
      Roasted Pumpkin And Pomegranate Salad
      Prep Time: 15 minutesCooking Time: 30 minutesIngredients– 3 cups pumpkin, cut into cubes– 2 tsp extra-virgin olive oil– 1/4 tsp salt– 1/4 tsp pepper– 6 cups mixed winter salad greens– 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds– 8 tsp lightly toasted pumpkin seeds– 1/4 cup crumbled goat cheeseVinaigrette (makes 1/2 cup)– 3 Tbsp pure pumpkin-seed oil (available in health-food stores and specialty markets)– 2 Tbsp champagne vinegar– 3 Tbsp orange juice– 1 tsp Dijon mustard– 1 small chopped shallot (1 Tbsp)– 1 tsp honey– 1/4 tsp salt– 1/4 tsp pepperMethodPreheat oven to 200 degrees. Toss pumpkin with olive oil, salt, and pepper and arrange in one layer on a lipped baking sheet. Roast until pumpkin is tender-firm and edges are caramelised, about 30 minutes.Remove from oven and let cool completely. Combine all vinaigrette ingredients in a small jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake until dressing emulsifies and has a creamy appearance.Divide the greens evenly among 4 salad plates. Scatter 1/2 cup roasted pumpkin, 1 tablespoon pomegranate seeds, 2 teaspoons pumpkin seeds, and 1 tablespoon goat cheese on top of each plate of greens.Drizzle with 2 tablespoons vinaigrette.Makes 4 Servings: Per serving: 1260 kJ, 21g fat (7 g sat), 23g carbs, 410mg sodium, 4g fibre, 9g protein
      READ MORE: 9 Breakfast Ideas That’ll Give You A Better Boost Than Coffee
      Creamy Pumpkin-Peanut Soup
      Prep Time: 10 minutesCooking Time: 20 minutesIngredients– 2 tsp vegetable oil– 1 small onion, chopped (1 1/4 cups)– 3 cloves garlic, smashed– 1/4 tsp ground turmeric– 1/2 tsp paprika– 1/2 tsp chilli pepper flakes– Pumpkin puree– 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth– 1 jar roasted red peppers, drained, 1 tablespoon chopped and reserved for garnish– 1/3 cup smooth reduced-fat natural peanut butter– 1 tsp sugar– 1/2 tsp salt– 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper– 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice– 1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream– 2 Tbsp chopped roasted peanuts– 2 Tbsp chopped spring onionsMethodHeat oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook, stirring, until golden, about 10 minutes. Add garlic and cook an additional 2 minutes. Add turmeric, paprika, and chilli flakes; stir.Add pumpkin puree, broth, peppers, and peanut butter; whisk to incorporate and bring to a boil.Reduce heat, simmer for 5 minutes, then stir in sugar, salt, pepper, and lemon juice.Transfer to a blender or food processor and puree until smooth. Divide among 4 bowls and garnish with sour cream, peanuts, reserved chopped peppers, and green onions.Makes 4 Servings: Per serving: 1134 kJ, 18g fat (4g sat), 22g carbs, 450mg sodium, 4g fibre, 10g protein.
      READ MORE: These Banana Muffins Actually Alleviate PMS And Cramping More

    • 163 Shares

      in health and weelbeing

      All Foods Fit in a Healthy Diet–Here’s How This Mindset Changed My Life

      by

      Editor’s Note: This essay discusses eating disorders and eating disorder recovery. Please take care of yourself if those topics could be triggering.
      Disclaimer: I’m writing this story while sipping on a cup of hot chocolate. No, it’s not because I’m throwing all caution to the wind when it comes to nutrition. It’s also not because I’ve run out of coffee. It’s not even because my sugar cravings have gotten the better of me. I’m drinking hot chocolate because there’s a crisp chill in the Chicago air and my entire being wants to be wrapped in the comforting warmth of a cozy, chocolatey bev. In the past, I would’ve considered it an indulgence. Partaking in it would’ve been met with negative self-talk and criticism. I would’ve convinced myself to feel guilty for not opting for green tea instead.
      But I’ve since been introduced to the “all foods fit” model, and it’s radically changed how I view my eating habits and mindset. I’ve spent years trying to heal my relationship with food. It’s taken the combined efforts of therapy, medication, and educating myself on eating disorders. Yet, there was a missing piece: reframing the judgments and associations I’d made with food.

      What is the “all foods fit” model?
      The “all foods fit” model supports a distinctive view: Every food item can be a part of a person’s daily eating plan and meal prep. It’s no secret we live in a culture where labeling foods as “good,” “bad,” “healthy,” and “unhealthy” is the norm. So, it’s all about removing cultural meanings from foods to listen to what your body wants. You may be thinking, “If I eat what I want, won’t I just eat ‘junk’ food all the time?“ While you might first crave the foods you didn’t let yourself eat previously, I can confirm from experience: Variety will find its way back into your daily eating habits. When you don’t label any food groups off-limits, you’ll begin incorporating a wider array of nutrients into your meals and snacks. 
      Removing restrictions is not just about mental health. It’s beneficial for your physical health, too. By following this model, you’ll begin to trust your hunger cues again. This, in turn, becomes body wisdom. Instead of fixating on limitations, you can lean in and listen to what you need. Sometimes that might be carrots. Other times, it might be a cookie. Beauty exists in ditching the rules and letting your needs lead the way.
      Though I found the “all foods fit” model refreshing, it was hard to let go of my ties with fad and elimination diets. Additionally, it was hard to let go of my habitual need to categorize food as “good” or “off-limits.” Below, I dive into the strategies that helped me integrate this model into my eating patterns. What worked for me may not resonate with you, and that’s OK. Before you begin, remember this: Everything in life is a journey. And when it comes to something as individual as our relationship with food, consult a medical professional if there are changes you’d like to make. 

      Strategies that helped me integrate the “all foods fit” model:

      I reflected on why I wasn’t eating certain foods
      It took years to unpack why I had been a vegetarian for six years. It was more socially acceptable to cut out an entire food group (that my mind labeled “unhealthy”) in lieu of constantly turning down whole meals. With support from my therapist, I was able to see the bigger picture of how this eating pattern—and coming to it for the wrong reasons—built a preoccupation with the foods I was cutting out. What’s more, I felt a certain uneasiness around these foods. I no longer trusted my own innate hunger cues. A seemingly simple label such as “unhealthy” suddenly blew up into a full-blown obsession.
      I had to release the false claim that I was a vegetarian for health reasons to begin to heal my harmful view of meat. And though it’s taken years, I’m now incorporating animal protein sources into my meals a few times a week. I encourage you to take a step back and consider the food rules you’ve made for yourself: Why are you cutting out or avoiding certain foods? Why do you no longer keep certain types of food in the house? If you feel uneasy or unclear about the answer to those or similar questions, it could be time to re-evaluate.

      I focused on balance instead of perfection
      At one point or another, perfection has influenced almost every part of my life—from my workouts to my work to my cleaning habits. So it comes as no surprise I would let perfectionism dictate my eating habits. But I wanted to escape that feeling, and I craved a sense of freedom and ease.
      By working with the “all foods fit” model, I accepted that while nutrition is an important need to address, foods can satisfy us in other ways, too. I began to focus on how sated and energized I felt when I had eggs, greens, and toast for breakfast. And I started to see the truth of my cravings for connection and seasonal comfort when I ate spice cake and cider on the couch with a friend. Incorporating this element of mindfulness into my meals helped me. I ate more nutrient-dense foods and chose sweets and treats that nourished me in other ways. 

      I realized I could determine how I wanted to feel about foods
      I began to look more closely at the critique and virtue I associated with other foods. Additionally, I noticed my language and others’ comments during my meals always seemed to linger with judgment. I was either “good” for opting for a salad or expected to feel guilty because I said “yes” to dessert. It became clear to me that the words we use to describe foods perpetuate the harmful narrative we place on food. 
      I taught myself to look outside the phrases that had been ingrained in me. So, I started to shape a new language regarding food. There was nothing more empowering than realizing that I determine how I feel about what I eat. Food became energizing and soul-soothing. It became a source of connection and conversation. 
      My advice: Little by little, bring awareness to the judgmental thoughts when they come up. Reflect on them and perhaps what they’re trying to tell you. An intuitive eating journal can be supportive here. Of course, it’s not always possible to break out a notebook every time you sit down for a meal. However, it can be an effective way to transform judgments into a more neutral, non-judgmental experience. Focus on how satiating a meal is or the aesthetic joy of diving into a dish as opposed to the caloric content or societal associations of that food. You may find that you start to trust your personal decisions around food—from portion size to hunger cues and everything in between.

      I began to consistently introduce foods my past self would have turned down
      While it took time and support, I managed to work my way up to introducing the packaged and processed foods I once feared. I had Pop-Tarts for snacks on occasion and reclaimed my dormant love of ice cream. Similar to my experience with meat, I began to notice that eating these foods more regularly led to a decrease in cravings. Plus, my bingeing habits subsided, and I trusted myself around foods I previously wouldn’t have. If you notice this is an issue for you, try working with a dietitian or consulting a healthcare provider who can guide you along this challenging journey. Together, you can talk about what strategies will work best for you.

      I accepted that everyone eats differently—and no way is “good” or “bad”
      Our culture has long adopted the belief that what you eat defines who you are. Personally, I cringe at the “you are what you eat” adage. Let’s be clear: Nothing about what’s on your plate represents who you are as a person. Learning to embrace the truth that all foods can be part of your eating habits can help you jump off the fad diet wagon. Remember: Ingrained beliefs about food won’t shift overnight. But little by little, as you practice the tenets of the “all foods fit” model, you’ll start to feel food freedom for yourself.

      If you are struggling with an eating disorder or with disordered thoughts or behaviors regarding food and eating, please seek help. Call the National Eating Disorders Association Helpline at 1-800-931-2237 for support, reach out to a qualified medical professional, or, for a 24-hour crisis line, text “NEDA” to 741741.

      8 Secrets Healthy Women Always Use When Eating Out More

    • 138 Shares

      in health and weelbeing

      Can’t Live Without PSLs? Here’s How Experts Make Them Super Healthy

      by

      If there’s one thing that epitomizes the fall season, it’s the cult-favorite Pumpkin Spice Latte. It’s the comforting drink we wait for all year because there’s nothing like the cozy hygge vibes we get from sipping on warm, pumpkin-spiced goodness on a crisp autumn day. There’s one caveat: The traditional PSL, as we know and love from a certain green-and-white siren, is flavored with not-so-great-for-you ingredients: added sugar and natural flavors (read: flavoring agents that can be highly processed and contain preservatives and chemical additives), just to name a few.
      The good news is I’ve picked the brains of doctors and dietitians to create the ultimate healthy PSL, whether at home or at your everyday coffee outpost. And if you just can’t part with your beloved Starbucks PSL, I’ve got a tip or two for you, too. Read on for five ways to hack your way to a nutritious, gut-friendly PSL. Spoiler alert: Your PSL will never be the same again—for the better. 

      In this article

      Hacks to make the PSL nutritious

      1. Use 100% real pumpkin puree
      I hate to break it to you: The PSL offered at most coffee retailers contains pumpkin flavoring or syrup (code for sugar-dense syrup or powder artificially made to taste like pumpkin). Instead, reach for canned or fresh pumpkin puree as the main ingredient, which will deliver on the signature pumpkin flavor and some major health benefits, too.
      “Like most veggies and fruits within the red, yellow, and orange hues, pumpkin is rich in vitamin A and lycopene,” explained Dr. Lana Butner, a naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist. “Both of these nutrients are fantastic for eye health due to their antioxidant status, which helps with prevention of cellular degradation. The concentration of fat-soluble vitamins (A, E) in addition to vitamin C, iron potassium, and manganese also make pumpkin a fantastic food for boosting immune function.” Dr. Erin Hendriks, board-certified physician and functional medicine practitioner at Salvo Health, added that pumpkin is packed with fiber, which improves digestion by acting as food for good bacteria in the gut. 

      2. Opt for unsweetened, plant-based milk
      The common base of America’s favorite fall bevvy? Non-organic, processed dairy products, namely condensed milk. “Dairy is a common trigger for gut symptoms, as the lactase enzyme declines with age and most adults have lost at least some ability to digest dairy,” Dr. Hendriks explained. If dairy doesn’t make you feel great, ditch it. Instead, opt for your go-to plant-based option with no sugar added, like almond, cashew, coconut, or pistachio. Whichever you choose, you can still expect the familiar flavor and frothy, creamy texture of the conventional PSL.
      Not all non-dairy alternatives are created equal, though. “Oat milk is higher on the glycemic index, which further disrupts your blood sugar regulation,” warned Dr. Butner. “When blood sugar is dysregulated, it has a negative effect on cortisol production and secretion, which leads to further inflammation within the body.” If nut milk isn’t your thing, try coconut milk, which is high in healthy fats, over Instagram’s favorite oat milk.

      3. Reduce the caffeine 
      Bad news: The pick-me-up most of us can’t function without first thing in the morning can be a trigger for GI symptoms, and it might also interfere with hormones. Therefore, Dr. Hendriks recommended going the decaffeinated route or using less coffee in your PSL if you have gut or hormonal symptoms. But whether you’re going decaf or full-caf, choose a quality brand that is organic and fair trade, as low-quality beans are heavily processed and can be high in toxins. For a coffee kick substitute, Dr. Butner suggested matcha: “One teaspoon of matcha contains 70mg of caffeine in comparison to a cup of coffee which contains roughly 140mg. Matcha is also rich in the polyphenol EGCG, which has potent health protective effects, and L-theanine, which has been shown to improve mood and cognition and reduce stress and anxiety.” (I promise, it still works in your PSL!)

      4. Swap artificial sweeteners for natural alternatives 
      The ingredient that gives the ever-popular Starbucks PSL its signature flavor is the brand’s pumpkin syrup. While they don’t reveal the components of their secret flavoring, Carly Knowles, MS, RDN, LD, PCD, a registered dietitian and cookbook author of The Nutritionist’s Kitchen, let us in on what’s behind the curtain: “These pumped flavorings not only add a significant amount of sugar to your diet, they often contain artificial flavoring and coloring which some have been linked to issues like kidney damage or cognitive problems.” Alternatively, she suggested using a natural sweetener like monk fruit extract, raw honey, or maple syrup to allow you to control the level of sweetness and reduce or eliminate the sugar content entirely, depending on your taste preferences.

      5. Don’t forget the spices 
      The PSL wouldn’t be the PSL without the “S” in it, and luckily, spices also pack powerful health benefits. The usual suspects you’ll find in the PSL are cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. “Go heavy on the herbaceous spices for the extra seasonal flavor, ” advised Dr. Butner. She broke down the benefits of each:   
      Cinnamon: blood sugar-balancing, allows for insulin to escort glucose into the cells to use as energy (as opposed to remaining in the circulating bloodstream for too long, eventually causing damage to tissue and organs)
      Nutmeg: a powerful antioxidant that is great at squelching free radicals, decreasing inflammation in the body, and helping with cerebrovascular circulation
      Ginger: an antimicrobial antioxidant that helps regulate blood glucose levels, and as a potent herb, it also helps to increase circulation
      Clove: an anti-inflammatory antioxidant shown to increase circulation and nerve transduction to the pelvic floor and reproductive organs

      8 oz. freshly-brewed coffee
      1 cup milk of choice
      2-3 tablespoons organic pumpkin puree
      1-2 tablespoons maple syrup (or another sweetener of choice)
      1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
      1 teaspoon vanilla extract

      Instructions: Make coffee and pour it into a glass or mug, and set it aside. Pour milk into a saucepan and heat over medium-low until warm (do not let it come to a boil). Then, transfer milk to a blender, and add pumpkin puree, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla extract. Blend until well combined. Pour the mixture into the glass of coffee and sprinkle with a dash of pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon. Enjoy! 

      Hacks to “healthify” your Starbucks PSL order
      Opt for the “short” or “tall” size 
      Choose decaf instead of regular coffee
      Ask for 1-2 pumps of pumpkin sauce (instead of the usual four)
      Ask for extra foam instead of whipped cream
      Substitute 2% milk for almond or coconut milk
      Add a dash of cinnamon 

      10 Viral TikTok Recipes That Are Healthy, Easy, and Actually Worth Trying More