Nutrition

While we may not literally be exactly what we eat, what we consume does have a direct affect on our overall health and how we feel on a day-to-day basis. Eating foods that nourish us physically can also have a positive impact on our emotional state, how we sleep, our memory and mental clarity, how we respond to stress and illness, and more. Government-issued nutrition guidelines, such as the USDA Food Pyramid or Health Canada’s Food Guide – and others like it – give nutritional overviews for the general population, however they do not address individual needs. There is no right plan that’s best for everyone – we must all find our own path in determining what works most effectively for ourselves. And being mindful of what we put into our bodies is a great first step. [more...]

Betterness through nutrition At Choosing Joy, we believe that nutrition is an important part of achieving ‘betterness’. When you honor your body by fuelling it with nutrient-rich foods and beverages, it’s much more likely to respond positively to the demands put on it throughout our busy lives.

Some Quick Food Facts:

The best fat to use for cooking, baking and in dressings is extra virgin olive oil; it’s unsaturated and high in Omega-9s - just remember to use it in moderation.
Cooking flax oil turns what was a great source of Omega-3 into a Trans-fat - tell your friends!
One vegetable serving on the USDA Food Pyramid accounts for a mere 25 calories - chew on that!
The more colorful the vegetable, the more densely packed with nutrients it is - so make it a colorful choice.
Frozen vegetables contain more nutrients than those canned - but fresh is always best!
Recent studies show that the healthiest meals are those with at least equal portions of protein, vegetables and complex carbohydrates - double up on the veggies for optimum health and balance!
More and more studies are showing that sugar and simple carbohydrates (white flour foods) can lead to nutritional deficiencies and chronic disease; make pizza & pop a once-in-a-while treat, not the norm!