By Administrator 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

Un cuore nel cioccolato

By Administrator 0 Comments Health Tips

Food Recalls: Health Hazards and Allergens

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

Class 1
Reason for Recall: Health Hazard – Listeria
Product(s): Wilton Cheese Factory – Old Cheddar Cheese (White)
Recalling Firm: A.M. Jensen Ltd
Distribution: Ontario

Product details are available at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/newsroom/food-recall-warnings/complete-listing/2014-02-07/eng/1391771141778/1391771156482

Causes of Food Poisoning – http://inspection.gc.ca/food_poisoning

Class 1
Reason for Recall: Allergen – milk, wheat, gluten
Product(s): frozen meat pie and poutine products
Recalling Firm: Meat Pies Plus
Distribution: Ontario

Product details are available at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/newsroom/food-recall-warnings/complete-listing/2014-02-05/eng/1391667003185/1391667031405

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

By Administrator 0 Comments Events, Uncategorised, Weight Loss Program

A Sustainable Approach to Weight Loss

Due to popular demand, the Craving Change start date has been pushed back to FEBRUARY 1, 2014. This means that you have an extra week to sign up at the January SPECIAL introductory price of $230. Join Registered Dietitian and Certified Craving Change Facilitator Anna Gofeld as she guides you through 6hrs (3 x 2hrs sessions) on how to change your relationship with food.

-discover your problematic eating triggers

-understand why you eat the way you do

-learn strategies to change your problematic eating for life

-LOSE WEIGHT BY CHANGING YOUR DAILY RELATIONSHIP WITH FOOD

~~DON’T WAIT ANOTHER DAY, SIGN UP TO GET THE CHANGE YOU’RE CRAVING TODAY~~

 craving change Feb 1

By Administrator 0 Comments Events, Uncategorised, Weight Loss Program

Are You CRAVING CHANGE?

Are you Craving to Change your life?

Looking to curb you Cravings or change your relationship with food?

Then CRAVING CHANGE is the program for you!

The Craving Change Approach will help you to:

  1. Understand why it’s hard to change eating habits
  2. Identify personal triggers for problematic eating
  3. Learn to respond to triggers differently
  4. Lose weight
  5. Maintain these changes for life

Sessions start Saturday January 25, 2014 at 12pm

JANUARY SPECIAL: Intro series rate of $230 (regular $250)

  • Includes: 3 x 2hr group session led by Registered Dietitian and Certified Craving Change Instructor Anna Gofeld
  • Workbook with all the lessons and tools discussed in class for your to take home and review

SPACES ARE LIMITED–contact Form and Function reception today to reserve your spot at 905-604-9355 or reception@formfunctionclinic.com

 ~~Don’t wait another day, sign-up to get the Change you’re Craving today!~~

Screen Shot 2014-01-20 at 10.13.35 AM

By Administrator 0 Comments Uncategorised

FOOD RECALLS: ALLERGEN WARNING FOR PEANUTS, PISTACHIOS, HAZELNUTS

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

Class 3
Reason for Recall: Allergen – peanut
Product(s): Detskie brand Waffles
Recalling Firm: Wonderberry North America
Distribution: Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec

Product details are available at http://www.inspection.gc.ca/eng/1389884448767/1389884464137

Class 3
Reason for Recall: Allergen – peanut
Product(s): F brand waffle products
Recalling Firm: Wonderberry North America
Distribution: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec

Product details are available at http://www.inspection.gc.ca/eng/1389973067911/1389973095426

Class 1
Reason for Recall: Allergen – pistachios, hazelnuts
Product(s):  Chocolate Banana & Mango Premium Fruit & Nuts
Recalling Firm: Produce People Ltd.
Distribution: Alberta, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Yukon

Product details are available at http://www.inspection.gc.ca/eng/1390018074377/1390018090760

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

By Administrator 0 Comments Events, Health Talk, Uncategorised

HDL : How to Get It Up

A cholesterol test has several components, one of which is HDL (high-density lipoprotein), which is often referred to as “good” cholesterol. HDL is thought of as the healthy cholesterol because it removes excess bad cholesterol (LDL) from your body. Men should aim for an HDL of  > 1.1 and women > 1.3, or the value recommended by your doctor.

Higher HDL = Lower heart disease risk

Here are 5 tips to help raise your HDL cholesterol:

1. Eat more foods high in monounsaturated and omega-3 fats

•ex: soy foods, seeds, nuts, ground flax, fish, seafood, canola and olive oils

2. Eat more plant protein

•ex: chickpeas, lentils, split peas, beans, soy milk, tofu

3. Eat more vegetables and fruits

•Aim for 4 vegetables and 3 fruits per day

•1 serving= ½ cup cut up raw or cook fruits/vegetables OR 1 cup of salad greens OR 1 tennis-ball size fruit/vegetable

4. Avoid foods containing trans fats

• ex: commercial baked goods, hydrogenated margarines, deep-fried foods

• Look for 0% trans fat of the Nutrient Facts Table

5. Be more active

•Aim for 60 minutes of exercise per day including aerobic activities (i.e. swimming, walking) and resistance training (i.e. weight lifting)

HEALTH TALK REMINDER: NEW YEAR, NEW YOU–Nutrition and Exercise Tips for Weight Loss is coming up tomorrow, Saturday January 18th at 12:30pm in the aerobics studio at Club Markham with Registered Dietitian Anna Gofeld & Personal Trainer Akhil Dawda. Don’t forget to reserve your spot at Form and Function front desk by phone 905-604-9355 or e-mail reception@formfunctionclinic.com.

SEE YOU TOMORROW

By Administrator 0 Comments Health Talk, Health Videos, Weight Loss Program

Creative Ways to Control Eating

One of the most important tools in the weight loss tool box is PORTION CONTROL. Being able to control the amount we eat can allow us to enjoy a greater variety of foods–even the not-so-healthy kind–and still stick to weight loss or weight maintenance goals. Try some of the creative tips from the video below to curb your food portions:

1. Use smaller plates: Our eyes are often hungier than our stomaches. Using smaller plates will make your eyes feel like you’re eating more when you’re cutting down your portions

2. Eat with your non-dominant hand: Putting in the extra brain effort will help you eat 20% less

3. Drink from tall thin glasses: Humans are terrible at judging volume. Using tall thin glasses, instead of short wide ones, will help you consume less volume without even realizing it.

4. Place a mirror in your kitchen: Literally reflecting on what you’re eating will help you become more conscious of what you consume

5. Chew fruit-flavoured gum when feeling hungry: As we discuss in Craving Change, sometimes we just feel ‘mouth hunger’–the desire to fill our mouth without the organic need to fill our stomach. Gum can be a calorie free way to curb this craving

6. Eat slower: It takes your brain 20min to get the signal from your stomach that you’ve eaten. Slow down your eating to give your body time to process the satiety signal and avoid overeating.

7. Use red plate: Research shows red dishes make people eat less, maybe because the colour is associated with ‘STOP’. So if you have a choice, like when buying disposable dishes for your next party, go for red.

8. Turn off your TV: Watching TV at mealtime often leads to mindless eating because you can’t concentrate on both the screen and your food at the same time. Simply turning off the TV and tuning into your meal can help reduce intake.

9. Photograph your unhealthy foods: Just recording food intake has been shown to help people reduce the amount of unhealthy foods they eat. Keeping a photo-journal of your unhealthy food choices can help you become more conscious of them and reduce their intake.

10. Decrease food variety: Increased food variety leads to increased desire to try a little of everything, which can add up to a lot of food on your plate. Serving the same amount of food, but with less variety, can help cut down your eating.

httpv://youtu.be/0Whvs_gSAPw

10 Amazing Way to Stop Eating Too Much

For more help with your weight loss or nutrition goals, visit https://www.formfunctionclinic.com/#locations or call 905.604.9355 to make an appointment with a registered dietitian.

Don’t wait another day, start your journey to good health today!