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
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
March is Nutrition Month – Simply Cook and Enjoy!
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!
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
Don’t Be Afraid of Fiber: The Benefits Of Fiber And How to Get More In Your Diet
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?
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!
Don’t Be Afraid of Fiber: The Benefits Of Fiber And How to Get More In Your Diet
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?
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!
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
In our current society, more and more people are working at deskjobs. Although these jobs are mostly sedentary, there are inherent stressors that can lead injuries. Here is a brief overview of some physical stressors and ergonomics adjustments that can reduce your chances of developing injuries.
I hope these tips help with reducing your physical stress at work. If you have more ergonomic questions or if you are already feeling symptoms of pain at work, be sure to visit an healthcare professional at Form and Function. We can help relief your pain and address any other ergonomics questions or issues that you may have.
Manni Wong
Registered Physiotherapist
The following recalls have been added to the CFIA’s Food Recall Report
Class 1
Reason for Recall: Health Hazard – Salmonella
Product(s): Ova Easy brand dried egg product
Recalling Firm: Vanderpol’s Eggs Ltd.
Distribution: National
Product details are available at http://www.inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/newsroom/food-recall-warnings/complete-listing/2014-02-17/eng/1392674639844/1392674648033
Causes of Food Poisoning – http://inspection.gc.ca/food_poisoning
Class 2
Reason for Recall: Allergen – milk
Product(s): Lajkonik brand crackers
Recalling Firm: European Fine Foods
Distribution: Ontario
Product details are available at http://inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/newsroom/food-recall-warnings/complete-listing/2014-02-14-r8605/eng/1392663960145/1392663989974
Class 2
Reason for Recall: Health Hazard – other
Product(s): Various Tillamook Country Smoker brand beef jerky products
Recalling Firm: Crown Star Food Distributors Ltd., Wallace & Carey Ltd.
Distribution: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan
Product details are available at http://inspection.gc.ca/eng/1392692683945/1392692685102
*The above food recalls are from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and brought to you by Anna Gofeld, RD at Form & Function
