By Dr. J 0 Comments Uncategorised

Food Recalls: Gluten, Milk, Egg

New recalls have been added to the CFIA’s Food Recall Report.

Class 3
Reason for Recall: Allergen – Egg
Product(s): Ganong Delecto brand Seasonal Truffle Assortment
Recalling Firm: Ganong Bros. Ltd.
Distribution: National

Product details are available at http://www.inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/newsroom/food-recall-warnings/complete-listing/2014-03-18-r8700/eng/1395255882990/1395255891963

Class: 3

Reason for Recall: Allergen - gluten, milk
Product(s): Lenovers brand Veggie Burgers
Recalling Firm: Lenovers Quality Meats & Seafoods Ltd.
Distribution: Ontario

Product details are available at: http://inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/newsroom/food-recall-warnings/complete-listing/2014-03-12-r8692/eng/1395151099506/1395151112381

*The above food recalls are from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and brought to you by Arin Taub, RD at Form & Function

By Dr. J 0 Comments Health Tips, Uncategorised

Food Recall: Listeria

New recalls have been added to the CFIA's Food Recall Report.

Class 1
Reason for Recall: Listeria
Product(s): Okanagan's Choice Cheese brand Shredded Cheese Products 
Recalling Firm: Castle Cheese Inc. 
Distribution: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba

Product details are available at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/newsroom/food-recall-warnings/complete-listing/2014-03-13/eng/1394763186626/1394763213149 

Class 1
Reason for Recall: Listeria
Product(s): Dole brand Italian Blend Salad 
Recalling Firm: Dole Fresh Vegetables Inc. 
Distribution: New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec, Possibly National

Product details are available at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/newsroom/food-recall-warnings/complete-listing/2014-03-12/eng/1394692964357/1394692975163

 *The above food recalls are from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and brought to you by Arin Taub, RD at Form & Function
By Dr. J 0 Comments Health Tips, Uncategorised

Food Recall: Packaging Defects

A recall has been added to the CFIA's Food Recall Report. 

Class 3
Reason for Recall: Packaging defects
Product(s): Heinz brand infant food
Recalling Firm: Heinz Canada
Distribution: National

Product details are available at http://www.inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/newsroom/food-recall-warnings/complete-listing/2014-03-09/eng/1394379805526/1394379825591

*The above food recalls are from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and brought to you by Arin Taub, RD at Form & Function
By Dr. J 0 Comments Health Talk, Health Tips

March is Nutrition Month – Simply Cook and Enjoy!

March is Nutrition Month – Simply Cook and Enjoy!

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As many people may know, March is nutrition month with the topic this year being “Simply Cook and Enjoy!”, with the goal of encouraging those all across Canada to eat better and enjoy food that is good for you. As well, this year’s theme focuses on serving up practical advice on cooking and food skills from dietitians, the food and nutrition experts.

Home cooking is an important skill to have for good health. Due to time constraints, people often find it difficult to prepare meals at home and are forced to rely more on processed and prepared meals. Having cooking skills is also essentially important in order to educate others, such as your children, so that they will have these skills and be able to feed themselves when they grow up. Of course, there are long-term implications of a poor diet on health.

Try some of these helpful tips and tools to help you and your family make healthier choices and of course, Simply Cook and Enjoy! These tips are to help you make good use of time and not only improve your ability to have more home cooked meals, but also reduce spending on going out for meals! There are 8 so far for the first eight days of the month:

1. Simplify weekday cooking. Prepare some ingredients in advance.

2. In a hurry? Take a kitchen short cut with healthier convenience foods like pre-cut veggies.

3. Feel sandwiched for time? What could be simpler than a sandwich for supper? http://ow.ly/qkqKE

4. Time-crunched? Good-for-you meals can take less time than take-out! http://ow.ly/qkrkv 

5. Double up! Make a double batch of breakfast on the weekend to enjoy during the week.

6. Cook once. Eat twice. Make weeknight cooking a breeze with planned extras.

7. Make a no-fuss meal with just six simple ingredients or less! http://ow.ly/qkrVe

8. A few good kitchen tools, like sharp knives and a blender, can make cooking a whole lot easier!

 

Additionally, visit dietitians.ca this Nutrition Month for inspiration and information from Registered Dietitians:

• Access eaTracker to review your food and activity choices, analyze your recipes, plan your meals, and more.
• Download free smartphone apps eaTipster for a nutrition tip a day, and Cookspiration to inspire you to cook.
• Watch videos with advice from Registered Dietitians.

Facebook: /dietitiansCAN

Website: www.dietitians.ca/nutritionmonth

Twittier: @dietitiansCAN

For more information and tips on how to adopt healthier eating patterns, Registered Dietitian Arin Taub at Form and Function Health and Wellness Clinic will be happy to help. Do not hesitate to book an appointment at your earliest convenience.

Eat well and stay active!

By Dr. J 0 Comments Health Tips, Uncategorised

Food Recall: Milk Allergy

The following recall has been added to the CFIA’s Food Recall Report

 

Class 1

Reason for Recall: Allergen – milk

Product(s): Chocolat Alprose brand 52% Cacao Premium Dark Chocolate

Recalling Firm: Altra Foods Inc.

Distribution: Ontario, Quebec

 

Product details are available at http://www.inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/newsroom/food-recall-warnings/complete-listing/2014-03-07/eng/1394260286797/1394260313793

 

 

By Dr. J 0 Comments Health Tips

Don’t Be Afraid of Fiber: The Benefits Of Fiber And How to Get More In Your Diet

Don’t Be Afraid of Fiber: The Benefits Of Fiber And How to Get More In Your Dietwhole grains

What is Fiber?

Fiber is a nutrient found in a variety of foods and offers many benefits to all individuals in various ways. Having adequate fiber in your diet can promote regular bowel movements and prevent constipation, especially when paired with exercise, which also provide this benefit. It does so by providing bulk and absorbing water in the gut. Additionally,  fiber might also help prevent and treat various diseases and conditions including cardiovascular diseases, colon cancer and diabetes. Additionally, having fiber in your meal can help you stay full longer and is therefore beneficial for those trying to lose or maintain a healthy weight.

Where Can I Find Fiber?

You can find fiber in a variety of foods in most food groups including fruits and vegetable, grains (whole grain breads and cereals), and meat and alternatives (nuts, seeds and legumes such as dried peas, beans, soy and lentils).

How Much Fiber Is Recommended  Daily?  

The adequate intake of fiber for males aged 18 to 50 years is 38 grams per day and for women of the same age is 25-26 grams per day, according to the Dietary Reference Intakes set out in Canada. (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/nutrition/reference/table/ref_macronutr_tbl-eng.php)

How Can I Change My Diet to Get More Fiber?

  • Add a fruit and/or vegetable to your daily routine (can be fresh or frozen)
  • Choose whole wheat instead of white when selecting breads, pastas and rice.
  • Compare food labels when selecting breads, crackers and cereals to select the option which contains more fiber per serving.
  • Use dried peas, beans and lentils in dishes instead of meat once or twice a week. This can also reduce caloric intake and help with weight loss.
  • Add a serving of nuts or seeds such as almonds as a snack.

For more information and tips on how to add fiber into your diet or if you have a general inquiry about how to adopt healthier eating patterns, Registered Dietitian Arin Taub at Form and Function Health and Wellness Clinic will be happy to help. Do not hesitate to book an appointment at your earliest convenience.

Eat well and stay active!

By Dr. J 0 Comments Health Tips

Don’t Be Afraid of Fiber: The Benefits Of Fiber And How to Get More In Your Diet

Don’t Be Afraid of Fiber: The Benefits Of Fiber And How to Get More In Your Dietwhole grains

What is Fiber?

Fiber is a nutrient found in a variety of foods and offers many benefits to all individuals in various ways. Having adequate fiber in your diet can promote regular bowel movements and prevent constipation, especially when paired with exercise, which also provide this benefit. It does so by providing bulk and absorbing water in the gut. Additionally,  fiber might also help prevent and treat various diseases and conditions including cardiovascular diseases, colon cancer and diabetes. Additionally, having fiber in your meal can help you stay full longer and is therefore beneficial for those trying to lose or maintain a healthy weight.

Where Can I Find Fiber?

You can find fiber in a variety of foods in most food groups including fruits and vegetable, grains (whole grain breads and cereals), and meat and alternatives (nuts, seeds and legumes such as dried peas, beans, soy and lentils).

How Much Fiber Is Recommended  Daily?  

The adequate intake of fiber for males aged 18 to 50 years is 38 grams per day and for women of the same age is 25-26 grams per day, according to the Dietary Reference Intakes set out in Canada. (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/nutrition/reference/table/ref_macronutr_tbl-eng.php)

How Can I Change My Diet to Get More Fiber?

  • Add a fruit and/or vegetable to your daily routine (can be fresh or frozen)
  • Choose whole wheat instead of white when selecting breads, pastas and rice.
  • Compare food labels when selecting breads, crackers and cereals to select the option which contains more fiber per serving.
  • Use dried peas, beans and lentils in dishes instead of meat once or twice a week. This can also reduce caloric intake and help with weight loss.
  • Add a serving of nuts or seeds such as almonds as a snack.

For more information and tips on how to add fiber into your diet or if you have a general inquiry about how to adopt healthier eating patterns, Registered Dietitian Arin Taub at Form and Function Health and Wellness Clinic will be happy to help. Do not hesitate to book an appointment at your earliest convenience.

Eat well and stay active!

By Dr. J 0 Comments Uncategorised

Food Recall: Milk Allergy

The following recalls have been added to the CFIA’s Food Recall Report

Class 1
Reason for Recall: Allergen – milk
Product(s): Elite brand Bittersweet Chocolate
Recalling Firm: Foodfest International 2000 Inc
Distribution: Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec

Product details are available at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/newsroom/food-recall-warnings/complete-listing/2014-02-20/eng/1392945412440/1392945439020

Class 1
Reason for Recall: Allergen – milk
Product(s):  Oh Green brand Black Cereal beverage powder
Recalling Firm: Oh Green Biotech Ltd.
Distribution: British Columbia, Ontario

Product details are available at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/newsroom/food-recall-warnings/complete-listing/2014-02-21/eng/1393022399822/1393022401025

*The above food recalls are from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and brought to you by Anna Gofeld, RD at Form & Function

By Dr. J 0 Comments Health Tips

For the Love of Chocolate

The month of February is often associated with Valentine’s Day, an occasion often celebrated with chocolate. With its historic use as an aphrodisiac, ability to improve mood, and potential heart health benefits, it’s no wonder this dark delight has been strongly linked with the celebration of love.

Eating chocolate releases neurotransmitters in the brain that can help improve mode and libido. As well, its caffeine and threobromine content gives chocolate stimulant properties similar to coffee, which may help to improve alertness. This, in combination with the carbohydrate energy it supplies, makes chocolate a great snack for long romantic evenings.

Other health benefits of chocolate come from its flavonoid content. These antioxidants help repair damaged cells in the body and may reduce the risk of chronic diseases, including heart disease. However, since antioxidant content is not listed in the nutrition facts table, consumers have no way of knowing the flavonoid content of their chocolate and therefore its potential benefit. In general, less processed products—i.e. cocoa powder and dark chocolate—are higher in flavonoid content and potential health benefits. For the greatest benefit, choose dark or unsweetened chocolate that lists 60% or more cocoa solids on the label.

Despite some health benefits of chocolate, it also contains compounds that are detrimental to health. Cocoa butter—a saturated fat that can raise cholesterol—is a popular chocolate additive. As well, all chocolate is high in sugar, fat, and calories, which could all lead to increased weight and associated co-morbidities. Unfortunately, milk chocolate, white chocolate, or chocolates with any sort of additives (nuts, nougat, caramel, etc.) are low in flavonoid content and thereby lower in health benefit.

When weighing out the pros and cons, it is still best to enjoy chocolate in small quantities, particularly since research is insufficient to recommend chocolate for its health benefits. If you do choose to indulge, choose dark chocolate containing >60% of cocoa solids; use cocoa powder in beverages and baking to reduce the fat and calories content. The health benefit of flavonoids can also be reaped from consuming citrus fruits, apples, berries, nuts, grapes, green tea and onions. These foods provide also other nutrients beneficial to overall health and can easily be incorporated into the daily diet without the drawbacks of chocolate.

If you have any questions about healthy eating, weight loss, chocolate or any other foods, Registered Dietitian Anna Gofeld at Form and Function Health and Wellness Clinic will be more than happy to answer them for you.

Live, love, laugh, and eat chocolate in moderation

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