Category: Health and Nutrition
FODMAP Content in Soy: High or Low?
Understanding foods’ FODMAP* content isn’t always obvious. One of the foods that many people are confused about is soy. This confusion is partly due to the fact many different products are derived from it (tofu in all its forms, milk, tempeh, edamame, etc.). Indeed, some of them are high in FODMAPS, while others are low […]
Should you Worry About Gluten in Ground Spices and Dried Herbs?
This is a frequently asked question, especially after the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) published its report on gluten in ground spices in 2011. According to this report, it is prohibited to add gluten in pre-packaged ground spices and these shouldn’t include any other ingredients (according to the Food and Drug Regulations (FDR)). If gluten […]
Blood Thinners and Greens: A Mix to Avoid?
You might have heard that if you take an anticoagulant (blood thinner), like Coumadin (warfarin), you should stop eating, or at least eat fewer, green vegetables, because they contain too much Vitamin K. But is this really the case?
Choosing the Best Supplement for Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis
Many people affected by an inflammatory bowel disease turn to supplements. Indeed, those affected by Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis can feel helpless in the face of numerous medical treatments and turn towards alternative treatments.
Top 5 Ways a Hockey Player can Keep Energy High During Busy Times
Back-to-school means back to the busy season. Eating right and making good food choices can help keep your and your hockey players energised through the most hectic schedules. Here are 5 great ways to keep you energy up even during the busiest time.
Five Reasons to Disregard Food Sensitivity Tests
For the past four years, I have wanted to request CBC Marketplace do an expose on the increasingly popular, “food sensitivity tests”. These blood tests cost around $500-$700 and screen over 250 different foods to determine which foods you are “sensitive” to. Awareness needs to be raised as millions of well-intentioned consumers are being swindled by […]
Nanoparticles in our Food
You’ve probably already heard about nanoparticles, because they are trendy and are used in various sectors—tires, cosmetics, solar panels, clothes, etc. But you probably don’t know they’re also found on our plates. Is there reason to worry?
Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Diets
As promised in my last article on inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis), I’m going to compare the different diets you may have been recommended if you suffer from IBD: the low-FODMAP* diet, the specific carbohydrate diet, the anti-inflammatory diet for IBD, the paleo diet and the hypotoxic diet.
B12 Deficiency Anemia
Normally, the body’s reserves of vitamin B12 surpass daily requirements, but in certain cases, a deficiency can occur. In the case of vitamin B12 deficiency, the symptoms can be subtle or even non-existent. Diarrhea, constipation, fatigue, loss of appetite and pale skin are some of the symptoms associated with this condition.
All About Food Allergies and Allergens
An allergen is a substance which can cause an allergic reaction. Food is one of the most common allergens, but in actual fact it is specific food components (proteins) that are recognized by the immune system and could set off such a reaction. These allergenic proteins are usually very stable even when heated (exceptions exist), […]
FODMAPs, Endurance Sports, and Runner’s Diarrhea
We’re in full jogging and marathon season. There’s therefore no better time to talk about…. Runner’s diarrhea. Not a very glamorous subject, admittedly, but did you know that between 30 to 50% of endurance athletes suffer from gastrointestinal symptoms during or just after sporting events? This percentage is even higher for those who already suffer […]
Eating Well with Crohn’s and Colitis
Contrary to what you may think, diet does not cause inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Also, diet is not the cause of these conditions’ flare-ups. However, diet can play a role in managing the symptoms and improve quality of life, as much in the active phases of the condition […]