Showing posts with label food labels. Show all posts

Agave Nectar: Sweeter Than Regular Sugar



Mainly produced in Mexico, agave is a syrup that is made from the Agave Tequiliana (Tequila) plant. It is about 1 1/2 times sweeter than regular sugar and contains roughly 60 calories per tablespoon, which is about 20 calories more than the same amount of table sugar. In spite of being more dense in calories, agave manufacturers are directly marketing diabetics because it is supposedly lower on the glycemic index (a number that represents the effect a particular food has on someone’s blood sugar). 

Agave Facts: 

It has a low-glycemic index because it’s largely made of fructose, the single most damaging form of sugar.

It has the highest fructose content of any commercial sweetener on the market.

Compared to the 1:1 fructose/glucose ratio of sugar and high fructose corn syrup, agave nearly has a whopping 2:1 ratio.


Better Alternatives: Stevia or local raw honey (use sparingly). 

*Be sure to read the ingredients on your snack, meal, and protein bars! Most contain agave! 

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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.




How to Utilize a Nutritionist


Here are some things a nutritionist could help you with other than the typical weight loss support or making healthier food choices. 

Meal Planning-How to plan, shop, and prepare meals. 
Grocery Shopping
Accountability-Someone who is supportive and keeps you on track! 
Ways to Increase Energy
How to Overcome Emotional Eating-This is a roadblock for most people. There are many other ways to deal with your emotions than with food. 
Healthy Recipe Suggestions
Food Journal Support
What to Eat When Eating Out-You don't have to avoid social gatherings when eating healthy. There are many tips and tricks to sticking to your food plan! 
Cooking and Kitchen Tips
Vegetarian Diet-How to get all the nutrients you need
Food Intolerances, Sensitivities, and Allergies
Navigating the Grocery Store
Transitioning from Conventional to Organic and Natural Foods
Supplement Questions
Food Label Reading
What is Juicing and How Do I Start?
Clearing Out Toxic Foods from your Kitchen and Cabinets (no temptation)
"Clean" up Your Favorite Recipes to Make Them Healthier






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.








GMO Produce: How Do I Tell?

I give my client this when I do grocery store tours. (Among many other resources) Here is a photo that shows how to tell if your produce item is conventional, genetically modified (GMO), or organic! 




Why avoid GMO's? I talk about this is a previous blog:
post: http://www.jackieamart.blogspot.com/2012/11/gmos-what-you-need-to-know.html


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



Registered Dietitians vs. Holistic Nutritionists

The term “nutritionist” is thrown around these days like a hot potato in a Kindergarten class. One person says this while another person says that, when in reality anyone can call themselves a nutritionist if they really wanted to. Is it wise to believe everything the Average Joe preaches about the topic? Absolutely not. Does he/she know what they’re talking about? Possibly. There are designations, education and guidelines created by governments that deem certain practitioners qualified professionals. Also keeping in mind that the industry keeps growing and developing new  research that one needs to keep on top of.

So you’re seeking advice about food since the last weeks worth of meals you remember have been caloric catastrophes from local restaurant chains and dive bars. The first thing you’ll most likely do after working your butt off in the gym and seeing no results, is hop on your laptop or mobile device and search for a nutritionist that can help you achieve your glorious goal of losing weight. The only problem with that is that you might find yourself caught in a vicious spider web of information from dieticians to nutritionists, The following information was gathered to help you understand the difference between a Holistic Nutritionist and a Registered Dietician so that you can easily decide what method is best for you.


Holistic Nutritionists understand that everybody is different so that there cannot be a “one-size fits all” mentality for overall wellness. They look at the person as a whole including current diet, lifestyle, health problems, as well as any emotional concerns that may be effecting a healthy lifestyle. Dieticians focus more on the USDA Food Guide, since that is where their training sprouted from, and perform a more rigid, scientific approach usually found in a hospital on patients that have already been diagnosed with health issues. Whereas a holistic approach would focus more on organic, natural, whole food diets.

When most people think of Nutritionists, they typically think of Registered Dietitians or RD’s. RD’s are more mainstream and are referred to more often by health professionals. Many of their recommendations will reflect meeting the Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA’s) that you find on nutrition labels and helping patients make healthier dietary substitutions and plan their meals. Their training is best equipped to design menus at cafeterias in school and hospital/skilled nursing settings for example.

Whichever professional you choose be sure to have a consultation with them first to discuss your needs and goals and determine if they would be a good match for you!! Ask them what areas they specialize in and who they have helped in the past and what they can do for you!!

http://evolvingwellness.com/



Copyright, 2012, 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.





Count Chemicals, Not Calories!!!

Earlier this week I was at the YMCA and overheard a woman raving about the "Skinny Cow Ice Cream Treats" and how they "taste the same as regular ice cream sandwiches, but without all the calories!"  I wanted to butt in and same something but bit my tongue since I was eavesdropping...


I decided to do a little research when I got home and this is what I found:

Skinny Cow Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwich Ingredient List
 And only 140 calories and 15 grams of sugar!! Think you are eating something healthy? Think again!! Take a look at the ingredient list. Can you pronounce and name anything on it? Do you know what these ingredients are? Man made chemicals, sugar, food additives, artificial flavors and sweeteners. These are toxins and your body does not know what to do with them when ingested and have adverse affects on your health!!

A lot of health care professionals and popular fitness gurus talk about calories in equals calories out. What are they trying to say?  Regardless of the type of food that you consume, your body will utilize it exactly the same. If you desire to remain the same weight, the amount of calories that you eat should be the amount of calories burned by your body.  If you want to lose weight, cut down on what you eat and exercise more.

The problem with this concept is that all nutrition is not the same and everyone’s body does not burn and utilize the nutrients the same. Hormones in the body and the negative impact of lifestyle, stress and medications play a significant role in efficiency of burning calories.

The advice is to eliminate all processed food choices and eat as fresh, raw and organic as possible. These food choices have been created for consumption and will aid in fueling your body with the right nutrients to balance hormones, reduce chemical food stress and encourage healing in your body!!

Count chemicalsNOT calories for health!!!

Copyright, 2012, Jackie Mart. For further information about this blog, or Optimum Wellness MN, contact Jackie Mart at 712.790.5883 or jackieamart@hotmail.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.

http://www.optimumwellnessmn.com/