Chocolate – the food of the gods

 July 7th was World Chocolate Day, and as we know there are now so many different types of chocolate available, from milk chocolate, white chocolate, chocolate with fruit or other fillings, the list goes on. However, in acknowledging the variety of choice out there it is also important to understand

Staying hydrated through summer

 With the hot weather here to stay, it is so important to make sure that we remain properly hydrated, it especially important for young children, the older population and those with chronic health issues. You may well wonder why is it so important to keep well hydrated? Our bodies are

Get to know healthy sugars and enjoy the sweet things in life

 Are you someone who is trying to cut down on sugar and would love to have a sweet treat, but you are not sure what you can eat? Is the sweet treat aisle of the grocery store daunting because of the labelling of foods? Is the treat with “no added

Watch out for residual sugars in your summer drinks

 Lockdown has resulted in many changes to how we live, one is the blurring of our work with week with the weekend, which was previously marked on Friday evening with friends and a drink. However, these blurred boundaries have the result for some in drinking during the week as well

Choosing the right diet for you

 When working with clients, the question regarding the best diet often comes up. It is not always about the best diet but more about your objectives and health issues and then identifying which diet is most likely to help you achieve your goals, it could also be a blend of

Cow-free milk — favourite non-dairy alternatives

 This week saw World Dairy day look at the value of dairy in our daily lives and health. For those of you that are lactose intolerant or are just looking for other options, then this article is for you. When looking at the world around us, we are some of

Juice up your meals and your health with lemons

 Lemons are often underrated when it comes to the kitchen and our health. They are an amazing fruit packed full of so many properties, that you will want to use more in your recipes. This week, I will discuss the various properties of lemons, some conditions which they can help with,

More than simply a sweet treat: The magic of honey

 The 20th of May was World Bee Day and what better way to honour the work that the busy bees do than to share the many virtues that honey possesses, from helping to heal wounds to using it to relieve coughs and colds. Yet with all its qualities, it is

Low calorie and high fiber: The beauty of beans and legumes

 As we slowly head into spring, I find that the way that we eat starts to change as we are looking for lighter, cooler meals that are easy to digest. It is a time of year when I start to increase my intake of legumes. This week, I will be

Cut through the confusion — get to know carbohydrates

 Last week, we looked at proteins and what they are made of; this week, we are examining carbohydrates: what they are, their role within our body, and our health. What foods are considered carbohydrates, and what is the difference between refined carbohydrates (sometimes referred to as simple carbohydrates) and complex

The vital role protein plays in the health of your body

 During this time when a lot of us are spending more time at home, I have noticed that people are paying more attention to what they are eating and are often looking to improve their nutrition, as we know more and more that nutrition has a huge impact on our

Get nutty for nuts — the health benefits of this superfood

 Growing up, nuts were not really part of my diet other than eating them in a trail mix or at Christmas time. However I have found that in the past few years, I have learned to use them in other ways and really appreciate what they have to offer for

Food for allergy relief – anti-inflammatories and good fats

 Although we are still home and staying safe, one of the things that I find helps to keep me grounded, is seeing that Mother Nature is still on course. Spring is most definitely on its way and with it the allergies that can make our lives quite uncomfortable at times.

Boosting your children’s immunity

 With the world we are living in today it is more important than ever before, that we really start to look after ourselves, not just by staying home but by improving what we eat. If you think about it, no athlete will go into a competition without some sort of

Boosting the immunity of the elderly

 If you or family member have a vulnerable immune system this article is for you. We will be looking at the various ways in which our immune system protects us and how we can very simply support it through lifestyle and nutritional changes. Due to the current circumstances, we hear a

Eating for hydration 

 During the winter months there is a strong tendency to forget about being well hydrated, it is something we think of more during the hot summer months. This week, I will be looking at the ways we lose fluids as well as some subtle signs and symptoms which can be as a result of

It’s all about the veg!

 We’ve all read the articles and heard the news that it is better for our health and well-being, to increase our intake of fresh vegetables. However, do you find that this often feels like just yet another thing you must add to your to-do list? So, here are my few

Sleepy evening snacks

 Let’s talk about sleep first of all. Here are just a few facts to think about: a) sleeping less the 6.5 hours a night could potentially increase body fat by 8.5 per cent, b) the World Health Organization has declared that shift work is a likely carcinogen and considers the

Warming up winter

 During the cold winter months, when the days are short, I find that we are often looking forward to being warm and dry, especially if we have been out skiing, skating or partaking in all the different activities Ottawa has to offer. However, what we often tend to forget, is