Showing posts with label GMOs. Show all posts

Bear Naked


Granola. A health food? This is one item I see many people throw in their shopping carts.  Here is a popular brand that frequents the aisles. If you look closely at the label you will see it contains 7 grams of sugar in a 1/4 cup serving.  The real number you need to look at is the carbohydrates because carbs turn into sugar in the body.  22 grams. Divide this number and divide it by 4.  Why 4? For every 4 grams listed on a food label there is one 1 teaspoon of sugar.  So a 1/4 cup serving of this granola really has 5.5 teaspoons of sugar.  Would you sit down and eat 5.5 teaspoons of sugar out of a sugar bowl? Probably not, but this is how much sugar you are consuming in that tiny amount of granola! 






Another thing to look at on the label is the ingredient list.  The first thing I noticed was the word, "processed." Processed foods are made in a factory and changed from their natural state to something man-made and devoid of enzymes and contain less nutrients.  Do you see the sugars in the ingredient list? There are 4 of them: brown rice syrup, apples (even though this is natural sugar it still contains fructose), sugar, tapioca syrup.  Another ingredient I want to point out is canola oil. Read about the health concerns of canola oil here: http://draxe.com/understanding-the-facts-about-canola-oil/

If you need something crunchy to add into your yogurt add in raw nuts and seeds! 


*This is just one of the many topics I go over during my grocery store tours at the local store where you shop. To find out more information or to schedule a tour please contact me. 712.790.5883 or Jackie@OptimumWellnessMN.com 





Copyright, 2015, Jackie Mart. For further information about this blog, or Optimum Wellness LLC, contact Jackie Mart at 712.790.5883 or Jackie@OptimumWellnessMN.com. As a holistic nutritionist and lifestyle coach, I will support you in taking steps to a healthier and happier you. My goal is to help you create an art of balance in your life. You will also learn how important balance between primary foods (relationships, physical activity, sleep, career and spirituality) and secondary foods (organic food and whole food) is.



More Healthy Apps (for your phone not mouth)



Farmstand- Targets the closest farmers markets in your area. It’s often hard to pin down when a farmers market opens and closes; Farmstand lists times, locations, and shopper reviews.




Fooducate- Use in the grocery store to make healthy choices and avoid chemicals in food.



GoodGuide- Ranks food (and other products, from home goods to apparel) on a health, environment, and society scale of 1 to 10. The app also offers a comprehensive list of certifications awarded to products.



ShopWell- Helps you decide what food products are best for your diet. Based on your personal data (age, weight, gender, and dietary restrictions), the app lists products that will help you meet your goals.




True Foods- Makes it easy for users to search its extensive database of food brands with no genetically modified ingredients. The app also offers tips and tricks on how to avoid G.M. ingredients.

*Want to learn more about how to make healthier choices while shopping? Join my small group grocery store tour Wednesday, January 28th in Uptown Minneapolis. CLICK HERE for more details and to register!   Don't live in the area? CLICK HERE and scroll down to check out the online nutrition packages I offer.



Copyright, 2015, Jackie Mart. For further information about this blog, or Optimum Wellness LLC, contact Jackie Mart at 712.790.5883 or Jackie@OptimumWellnessMN.com. As a holistic nutrition and lifestyle coach, I will support you in taking steps to a healthier and happier you. My goal is to help you create an art of balance in your life. You will also learn how important balance between primary foods (relationships, physical activity, sleep, career and spirituality) and secondary foods (organic food and whole food) is.





Clean Eating Mayo





Even the "natural" section of grocery stores contains products you should not eat! Here are two different mayonnaise jars I scoped out at a local Cub Foods. One is made from canola oil, and the other from soybean oil. 


Why you shouldn’t consume vegetable oils:

  1. Canola, corn, soybean and other vegetable oils are usually made from GMOs.
  2. These oils are HIGHLY processed, unlike coconut oil, olive oil, and real butter. 
  3. Vegetable oils contain HIGH amounts of Omega 6, throwing off the Omega 6 : Omega 3 ratio which should be 1:1.
  4. Veggie oils should not be used in cooking due to high heat causing the oil to oxidize.
  5. Vegetable oils contain high levels of polyunsaturated fats that oxidize in our bodies, which can lead to inflammation in the arteries.  

Healthy Alternative:


Homemade Mayo-Makes a little over 2 cups

Ingredients: (all organic if possible)

2 whole Organic eggs
1 tbsp. Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar
3/4 tsp. Sea salt
2 tsp. Prepared mustard
2 cups Light extra virgin olive oil (not a vegetable blend)

Directions: 

Blend eggs, vinegar, salt, and mustard in food processor. While machine is running, slowly add oil, VERY SLOWLY!! Continue until all of the oil has been added and the eggs and oil have formed an emulsion or mayonnaise. Taste for sea salt and adjust if needed.  Store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

 CLICK HERE for more Clean Eating Recipes!



Copyright, 2014, Jackie Mart. For further information about this blog, or Optimum Wellness LLC, contact Jackie Mart at 712.790.5883 or  Jackie@OptimumWellnessMN.com. As a holistic nutrition and lifestyle coach, I will support you in taking steps to a healthier and happier you. My goal is to help you create an art of balance in your life. You will also learn how important balance between primary foods (relationships, physical activity, sleep, career and spirituality) and secondary foods (organic food and whole food) is.
 
www.optimumwellnessmn.com


 

Gooey and Oh So Good!

I keep seeing caramel apples everywhere! They were one of my favorite snacks when I was younger.  My mom would cut up apples for my brothers and I and sprinkle them with cinnamon and sugar! Here are the typical ingredients used in the store-bought varieties. I took this photo at Cub Foods yesterday. Lots of sugars, hydrogenated oils (trans-fats) and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)! Eek!! 



Healthier Alternative!! 

Caramel Apple Dip

 Ingredients:

1 cup Medjool Dates, pitted (about 8-10)
2 Tbsp Full-Fat Coconut Milk, canned
¼ tsp Sea Salt
½ tsp Pure Vanilla Extract

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor and process until smooth.  
You may need to occasionally scrape down the sides.  If you double the recipe, it will be easier to process if you have a larger capacity food processor.
2. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. 

NOTE: Be sure to use organic apples! They are on the Dirty Dozen list. 


You're Welcome!! :-) 



*Join my Clean Eating Community for more recipes and tips:

Twin Cities Residents: http://www.meetup.com/Twin-Cities-Clean-Eating-Community/events/205845632/







Copyright, 2014, Jackie Mart. For further information about this blog, or Optimum Wellness LLC, contact Jackie Mart at 712.790.5883 or Jackie@OptimumWellnessMN.com. As a holistic nutrition and lifestyle coach, I will support you in taking steps to a healthier and happier you. My goal is to help you create an art of balance in your life. You will also learn how important balance between primary foods (relationships, physical activity, sleep, career and spirituality) and secondary foods (organic food and whole food) is.


www.optimumwellnessmn.com