Information

Magnesium (Mg)

Did you know that this mineral supports over 300 internal functions of the body? Magnesium is present in every cell of your body. Deficiency of this mineral causes fatigue, muscle weakness, high blood pressure, compromised immune system and hyperactivity.

Magnesium is found in green leafy vegetables, Cacao powder and almonds, pepitas and much more.

Water

Water is a chemical compound with the chemical formula H2O. Water is the most abundant compound on Earth’s surface, covering about 70 percent of the planet. In nature, water exists in liquid, solid, and gaseous states.

Water makes up 2/3 of our body weight. Most chemical reactions that occur in our bodies need water. Water is also needed for our blood to carry nutrients around the body. We should consume anywhere from 1.5-2.5l per day.

Eggs

The inexpensive humble egg is good for you !

Yes they do contain cholesterol and sat fat. The question we need to ask ourselves is how much sat fat are we consuming on a daily basis? It is usually our diet and lifestyle as a whole, contributing to our high cholesterol, not just one component such as eggs. What we should be focusing on is exercise, reducing inflammation and weight loss. Eggs are nutrient rich. They are high in protein and the amino Leucine. They are great for weight loss- A recent study showed that those who ate eggs every second day lost more weight than those who opted for the different option. Cholesterol levels had no increase during the trial of three months. My advice is to include them at least three-four times a week, particularly for breakfast, as they are a great start to the day.

Gluten Free

Gluten is a protein found in grains such as wheat, rye, barley, triticale and oats.

The properly diagnosed autoimmune disease associated with Gluten is known as Celiac disease. People with celiac disease do need to follow a gluten free diet.

Today many people choose to eat a gluten free diet as they believe removing the gluten from their foods allows for a healthier intestinal tract and well being. Whilst that may be true for most, remember there is no one size fits all.

With the increasing varieties of GF products available today, not all of them are as healthy as you think. Some are High GI, highly processed, contain way too much sugar and contain no nutrients to sustain a well balanced diet.

Remember when following fads and trends that are well marketed, make sure you have researched thoroughly in order to make a decision.

Cacao powder

What is it? Chocolate powder. Organic Raw Cacao powder is cold pressed without chemicals resulting in a nutrient preserved product. It therefore contains more antioxidants than regular cocoa.

Cacao has 14 times more anti-oxidants than red wine, 21 times more anti-oxidants than green tea and 7 times more anti-oxidants than dark chocolate. Cacao is a source of phytonutrients ,aminos, zinc, protein, niacin, calcium, iron, copper, potassium and my favourite mineral- magnesium, to name just a few. In my opinion, a great stress reliever and muscle relaxant.

Use Cacao to make your own chocolate, hot chocolate or in recipes to replace cocoa. Found at health food stores only.

Wheat Free

Wheat-free eating is not the same as gluten free eating. Those who have a wheat intolerance may still be able to eat some grains that contain gluten such as rye, oats or barley. Wheat is a grain that does contain gluten.

Wheat is a common food allergen that causes digestive, immune-related, inflammation and weight problems in many. Wheat also contains a starch called amylopectin A, which is quickly converted to blood sugar. This can lead to a high rise in blood sugar and insulin, which contributes to the development of diabetes, weight gain and obesity.

Recent studies and statistics prove a wheat free diet has enormous overall benefits.

Paleo

To eat as our ancestors did? Well, not a bad call actually.

The Paleo way promotes leans meats, lots of vegetables, healthy fats, low carbs and no refined sugars. Principals we should all follow on a daily basis really. Some allow for minimum dairy whilst the paleo advocate will have no dairy at all.

This way of eating if you have tried it, delivers results and sustainability over time.

Paleo, Clean, wheat free, gluten free or a combination of all, is a dedicated way of eating.

Some studies show this way of eating is crucial in order to reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

The fundamentals of Paleo are definitely recommended. As too is limiting processed foods, moving more and eating a combination of plant and animal foods, as it allows for weight management and a balanced nutritious diet.

Remember finding the right balance for you and your body is individual. It should not be dictated by a name, fad or contemporary belief.