Archives for August 2014

Are Your Kids Missing School?

Allergy ConceptDid you know that asthma in children is on the rise, resulting in a lot of missed school days?

(According to the latest statistics, more than 25 million people are affected.)

That’s a lot!

The likely culprit might surprise you even more –  toxins in the environment.

Yes, you read that correctly.

The rise in asthma has been specifically correlated to a group of chemicals commonly referred to as VOC’s. (That stands for Volatile Organic Compounds).

Even the word volatile sounds scary, doesn’t it?

You might be wondering what that even means.

Well, you know how, when food has gone bad, it typically has a rather awful smell?

Think of VOC’s in the environment as being the household equivalent to rotten food.

So, just as you wouldn’t eat food that has obviously seen better days (gluten-free, or not) you really don’t want to surround yourself with chemicals that poison the air you breathe.

In fact, we now know that indoor air pollution can actually be 50% worse than outdoor air.

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Are You Getting The Nutrients You Need?

Close up of lemon and pills isolated ñ vitamin conceptDid you know that up to 50% of people with Celiac disease have multiple nutritional deficiencies?

This often holds true as much as ten years post diagnosis!

And it doesn’t even include those who are merely gluten-sensitive (as opposed to someone with Celiac disease) or allergic to other foods, such as dairy, nuts or eggs.

Yet, I know from personal experience, that it is, in fact – true.

One thing about being gluten-free, or following any kind of special, medically prescribed diet, is that you may not be getting the nutrients you need.

So, you definitely want to make sure you are!

How do you know where you stand, nutrition-wise?

Take time to review each of the following, and you will have a better idea of your present habits, and what likely needs a bit of work.

 

Eat a High Quality Diet

Hands down, good health begins with a whole foods diet.

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Is Gluten Toxic?

assortment of baked breadThe bigger question, of course, is “Do you have Celiac Disease?”

Or, “Do you have a gluten-related disorder, most often referred to as Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity – or Gluten Intolerance?”

Did you answer “yes” to either question?

In that case, gluten certainly is a toxin, at least to you.

If you’re one of the lucky ones who doesn’t appear to have a sensitivity to gluten – that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re completely off the hook.

According to Dr. Tom O-Bryan, who refers to himself as the Gluten-Free Doc, “Everyone should be checked for a gluten sensitivity. And if you have the celiac gene, you definitely want to be checked every two years or so. You might be fine now, but at some point you will likely cross the line.

Why is that?

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The New Rules for “Gluten-Free” Food Labels

gluten free stampThe long-awaited FDA food labeling rules – specific to gluten-free products – went into effect earlier this week!

That’s right – as of August 5, 2014, any packaged food that claims to be gluten-free, must conform to these new regulations.

What does that mean to you?

On the one hand, it will probably make life a lot easier. (Especially as you navigate your grocery store).

On the other hand, it can also come with its own set of problems.

In a nutshell, here’s what you need to be aware of:

 

20 PPM – The New Guideline

Any packaged food that is labeled “gluten-free” must contain 20 ppm (parts per million) – or less – of gluten. In other words, a food can actually contain gluten and still be considered safe to consume.

In truth, this has always been the case.

What is different now, is that the FDA has placed a very stringent cap on the acceptable amount.

 

Why 20 PPM?

The 20 ppm guideline was settled on, because the available research, while limited, indicated that most people with Celiac Disease could tolerate gluten in very small amounts.

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A Cooling Summer Soup

Broccili SoupI’ve been eating a lot of blended foods over the past few months – things like smoothies, soups and purees.

At the same time, I’ve cut waaay back on raw foods and salads, unless they are blended into said smoothies or soups.

Why?

This little foray into an alternate way of eating has been in the interest of my own health issues, and also on the advice of my nutritionist.

Yes, I do work with a nutritionist.

The way I see it, it isn’t any different from working with a coach. In both cases, their job is to help keep you on track, and offer plenty of support along the way.

Just knowing you have someone on your side can make a huge difference to your success!

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