More Nutrition Trends Mom Should Know About

By now you have probably heard all about a gluten free diet. This means excluding gluten, a protein that is found in grains such as bread, pasta and cereal from your diet. This is a specialized diet for people who have celiac disease or who are allergic to gluten or have a gluten intolerance. Since the word “diet” is synonymous with losing weight, some people mistakenly think that it’s a weight-loss plan, but it isn’t intended to be that. A gluten-free diet excludes many common dietary staples so you should follow it under the supervision of a doctor or dietitian.

When it comes to your gut and your kid's guts you have also probably heard a lot about Probiotics. Probiotics promote good digestion, strengthen your immune system and protect against disease-causing “bad” bacteria. They are also handy for treating diarrhea and urinary tract infections. Certain

Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains may help reduce the duration and severity of a cold. You should consume probiotics when you take antibiotics; they will replace the good bacteria that the antibiotics have killed. There are many different strains of probiotics and each one offers a different health benefit.

Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum, for example, may help boost your immunity. There are other strains and combinations that may help prevent colds and urinary tract infections, and help with lactose intolerance. Talk to a health-care professional to determine which type will best meet your needs. Probiotics are found in yogurts and fermented products.

By now you have also probably heard about Stevia. natural sweetener that’s 200 to 300 times sweeter than sugar and extracted from the stevia shrub, which is native to Paraguay. Stevia sweetens like sugar, but has no calories. Stevia has been safely used as a sweetener for hundreds of years in South America, but there aren’t any clinical studies on its safety.

Adults are best to stick to no more than 280 milligrams a day of stevia leaf powder. Liquid and spoonable stevia powders are available in health food stores. In Canada, stevia is not permitted as 
a food additive for widespread use because of the lack of research. It can be found in some natural health products that have a natural product number on them. This means they are government regulated and must list a dosage amount on the package.

Stay away from any nutrition trend that is not government regulated. It is quite simply bad for your health.

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Nutrition Trends Mom Should Know About

There are a lot of buzzwords flying around when it comes to nutrition lately. For instance take a look at antioxidants. Have you ever wondered just what they are.

Antioxidants are powerful substances that protect us against free radicals, which are harmful molecules in our bodies. Don’t panic. Free radicals come from pesticides, toxins and smoking, but they also are a part of aging that is not easily reversed.

Free radicals can also damage your body’s cells and can lead to early aging, diabetes, cancer and heart disease. Antioxidants from the vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals in food help stop free radicals from attacking and damaging cells. They are found in colorful veggies and fruits, black and red beans and fruit. The best source is leafy green vegetables.

Nutritionists have also been talking a lot about Vitamin D lately. Studies show that getting enough vitamin D may help decrease your risk of heart disease, multiple sclerosis, cancer and flu. This vitamin is also vital for promoting normal bone growth, reducing inflammation and helping your immune system stay in top shape. However, up to 66 per cent of us don’t get enough vitamin D for disease prevention.

Vitamin D is found in only a few foods, such as milk, margarine, fish and eggs. That’s why supplements are a good option to discuss with your doctor.

These recommendations from Health Canada. Children should get 200 international units (IU) a day; adults, 400 to 600 IU a day. The Canadian Cancer Society encourages adults to take 1,000 IU a day in the fall and winter to reduce the risk of colorectal, breast and prostate cancers.

Another buzz word is prebiotics. Prebiotics are a type of not digestible fiber that helps probiotics grow and thrive in your gut. An extract of chicory called inulin is a popular prebiotic fibre that’s added to packaged foods such as cheese, yogurt, pasta and beverages. Look for it on the ingredient panel of foods; it’s listed 
as “inulin” or “chicory root extract.” It is good for you and your kids.

Most of us consume one to four grams of prebiotics per day from the foods we eat. To up your intake, choose these foods more often: chicory, onions, garlic, soy, dandelion greens, Jerusalem artichokes, whole grain wheat, barley, and foods enriched with inulin, such as cheese, pasta, yogurt and bread.

I will get into more nutrition buzz words in my next blog.

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