A site to house links to external sites providing information on health and well being.
Truth: Today, National Dietitian's Day, is a perfect time to remind consumers to be skeptical when seeking health information. Anyone can have a website, keep a blog or a write book. Someone who doesn't have the proper credentials has the potential to waste your time or money or, even worse, may give recommendations that are detrimental to good health.
Fact: I get questioned about this on a weekly basis – more than any other topic. So I am going to take this opportunity to assure readers that the majority of scientific evidence suggests that soy consumption has health benefits. Soybeans contain isoflavones, weak estrogen-like substances made by plants.
Truth: Nightshades are a botanical grouping of plants, including potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants and all varieties of peppers, which contain a chemical compound blamed for causing joint pain. It is theorized that the glycoalkaloid solanine, a chemical in nightshades that protects these plants from insects or other predators, has inflammatory properties in some individuals.
Truth: Cooking helps children to develop fine motor skills, understand math concepts, and expand their vocabulary and reading skills. The earlier children are exposed to cooking, the more likely they are to try different foods and learn to enjoy a variety of flavours and textures. Cooking is an important skill that encourages children to use simple, healthy ingredients rather than learn to depend on processed foods. The benefits of cooking, which can be enjoyed by children as early as age two, last a lifetime.
Truth: While it is a commonly-held belief, eating fried or greasy food does not cause acne. There is some evidence suggesting a low glycemic index (GI) diet may prevent or treat acne and that high GI foods, prevalent in Western diets, may aggravate acne. Low GI foods are generally less-processed carbohydrates such as whole grains, legumes, vegetables and fruits, while high GI foods contain refined grains and simple sugars.
Fact: Like most superfood claims, coconut oil falls short when it comes to scientific scrutiny. Widely publicized health benefits have been attributed to coconut oil, including enhancing weight loss, preventing heart disease and warding off dementia, but there is currently insufficient evidence to support these claims.
Truth: Eating frequent, small meals has been assumed to burn more calories than a traditional three meal a day pattern. While there is a slight increase in our metabolism each time we eat, the difference in calories burned over the course of a day is insignificant. Overall, research does not support that how frequently a person eats meals or snacks impacts weight gain or loss over time. Does snacking between meals help some people lose weight by preventing extreme hunger that leads to overeating at a meal?
Almost half of all Canadians find it challenging to eat a balanced diet. To help address this, Dietitians of Canada organizes Nutrition Month every March to provide guidance aimed at making it a little easier for people to choose and prepare nourishing, enjoyable meals. This year’s theme is Unlock the Potential of Food.
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