nutrition – Fit Communications

Eat the Rainbow Challenge

June 29, 2022

I am currently taking a course for professional development from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition (IIN) called ‘Detoxing Your Life’. The course covers various ways that we can lower our toxic load through nutrition, beauty product choices, our home environment and our mindset. When it comes to the nutrition piece of the puzzle, detoxing is more about adding foods into your diet that will help your body more efficiently and effectively lower your toxic load. It is definitely not about doing a detox diet fad, taking a ‘cleanse’ or overhauling your entire nutritional outlook. A big focus is on ‘eating the rainbow’.

We’ve all heard that phrase before, but what does it really mean? Simply put, eating the rainbow involves eating fruits and vegetables of different colors every day. Plants contain different pigments, or phytonutrients, which give them their color. Different-colored plants are linked to higher levels of specific nutrients and health benefits.

Below is an infographic from IIN that lays out exactly what plant sources give what benefits:

I found there are a few colors for my personal health goals that I want to ensure are a priority. For instance, the blue/purple and red are high on my list of priorities for my health, so want to ensure I get those in as often as I can. I also know the tremendous benefits to having loads of greens every day, so another one I want to ensure is a priority. And although not mentioned in this infographic, mushrooms are a huge one for me. I use tinctures and powders daily to get the various benefits from cooked Asian mushrooms in. If this is something you are interested in, I would highly recommend Annanda Chaga. By following that link you will get $10 off your next purchase.

While this information is great to know, getting in all of the colours can be a struggle. So, I have created the ‘Eat the Rainbow Challenge’. I tried this myself to see what areas I was filling easily and what areas were consistently low. As it was a really eye-opening Challenge for me to do personally, I wanted to extend the Challenge to my readers…and have a prize. Here is how it works:

Use the below chart for one full week. Every time you eat a fruit or vegetable serving, write it into the appropriate day and color code. When the week is up, send a photo or e-copy of your completed chart my way. Everyone who fills in this chart – even if it’s not the full rainbow – will receive $100 off any of my one-on-one coaching programs.

Day of the Week	Red	Orange/Yellow	Green	Blue/Purple	White/Tan
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Remember to be honest – this will only help you! Once you see it written down about what colors are a slam dunk and what colors you are missing again and again, you can then adjust your nutrition habits accordingly.

The goal for fruits and vegetables is 7 – 9 servings per day, and 10+ for longevity. This chart will also help you determine if you are getting the right amount of servings every day to live a long and healthy life.

Remember, I am always here to help! If you have any questions that you would like to run by me, I am always open for a chat. Find me here!

Eating for Energy

March 9, 2022

How’s your sleep?

It’s a question I ask every client when we first start working on their nutrition goals. It’s a funny one to ask because almost everyone answers it like this ‘Good! I think…well I’m not sure.’ My follow-up question is then ‘Do you wake up feeling rested?’ and 99% of the time the answer is no.

Seven to nine hours of sleep per night is what is recommended for your health. But the important piece that is missing from that statement is how rested you feel upon waking up, and how is your energy throughout the day. In this week’s blog I will tackle the much needed topic of eating for energy.

There are two main pieces to the puzzle when discussing eating for energy. The first is getting our insulin levels in check and the second is eating specific foods to help fight off fatigue and increase our energy. Let’s start with insulin.

Insulin is an anabolic hormone, meaning it likes to build things. And not great things like muscle, rather it likes to build things like belly fat and cancer. Getting our insulin balanced is key to ensure we do not become insulin resistant. If that happens, excess glucose in the blood reduces the ability of our cells to absorb and use blood sugar for energy.

If left untreated, insulin resistance can lead to a host of chronic diseases including Type 2 diabetes, strokes, obesity, chronic heart disease, breast and colon cancer, depression and dementia just to name a few. When we balance our insulin, we avoid blood sugar level highs and crashes, in turn leveling out our energy as well.

Secondly, there are various foods that we should include in our nutrition regimen to help keep our energy on point. Caffeine and naps shouldn’t be what keeps you going. And in fact, shouldn’t be needed at all if you are getting adequate, quality sleep and are eating the right foods.

There are specific foods that are important when talking about eating for energy. Here are my top ten for you to definitely include:

Whole foods – we want to stick with whole and avoid overly processed foods as these will slow you down with the trans fats, additives, sodium, and preservatives
Fresh fruit and veggies – so nutrient dense and great for energy overall
Non-caffeine bevvies – caffeine gives an up and down energy vibe
Lean proteins or veg-based proteins – added saturated fats in meats slows down the digestive process giving you less energy for other bodily functions
Whole grains and complex carbs – these will give your body the energy to fulfill all functions – not just physical activity but things like your heart pumping and brain working
Nuts and seeds – best thing for fatigue! Variety is key and raw and unsalted is best
Water – this helps facilitate the energetic processes of the body in turn boosting energy
Bananas – potassium, fiber, and vitamins pack a punch for lots of natural energy boosting needs
Oats – filling fiber and protein help regulate insulin levels
Chia seeds – give prolonged energy due to carb content, healthy fats and fiber

It is important to remember that decisions that we make throughout the day affect our health not only short term but long term as well. When we consciously choose foods that are going to positively affect our bodies, create nighttime habits and routines that positively affect our sleep, and choose activity that positively affects our minds and bodies, we will do much better not only today, but for many years to come. There is no quick fix when it comes to your health. Your health is in the daily decisions that you make. Choose wisely.

Interested in learning more? Check out Andrea’s Nutrition Coaching Programs here!

Best You Nutrition Reset

November 10, 2021

Without our health, what do we really have? It’s a question I have been pondering a lot lately. I recently spoke to a group of national team managers for a large Canadian company about what “healthy” means to them. To each individual, it really means something different. And that can definitely change as we age. What healthy means to you in your 30s is probably not the same in your 40s, 50s and 60s. The changes in our life go hand and glove with our priorities, and that includes the priority of health.

For this reason, I have developed an excellent program about the key pillars of health. This online and live program is launching in January of 2022, and I honestly can’t wait to deliver it. The four week Best Your Nutrition Reset will teach you how to modify your eating and lifestyle habits to supercharge your health. While teaching you how to have a healthy relationship with food, additional benefits you can expect include weight loss, increased energy, better sleep, feeling healthy again and much more. The time is NOW to reset, renourish and reclaim your health!

Details:
Dates: Sundays in January – January 9, 16, 23 and 30, 2022.
Time: 12pm CST
Where: Zoom!
Cost: $159 for ALL FOUR SESSIONS!
Tickets: Purchase on Eventbrite here

I have carefully chosen four topics that I know are the most important for a long, healthy and happy life. Topics include:

1. Digestive Health
2. Weight Loss
3. Hormone Balancing
4. Immunity Health

But it is more than just four group sessions. I am truly dedicated to help you achieve your health and nutrition goals for 2022. I will work along side you, in the trenches, smashing those goals and feeling great again. I will do that by also including:

• 25 minute one-on-one coaching call with me
• Weekly Emails including Session Notes, Weekly Tasks, Recipes, Recommended Readings and More
• The BYN Food & Mood Journal, an effective tool to help track your journey to greater health

Wondering what this is really all about? Here are more details about each session to help you decide if this is the program you have been waiting for.

Session 1 – Digestive Health
The two keys to a long, healthy life are a clean digestive system and a strong immune system. Our digestive system is in charge of providing all of the nutrients that we eat to our cells, organs, muscles and more. It needs to be an absolute priority when talking about your health. This session will teach you how the digestive system works, how it affects your stress levels and mental health, and leave you with tactical ways to repair your gut lining so that bloating, gas, digestive upset and all the rest of it is a thing of the past.

Session 2 – Weight Loss
News flash! The idea that all you need to do is eat less and workout more DOES NOT WORK for weight loss! This old-age way of thinking has been myth busted. This session will teach you what really DOES work, how our bodies’ weight gain and loss system works in conjunction with our insulin levels, how stress affects our weight, and how to turn your body into a fat burner instead of a sugar burner. This session is truly a game changer!

Session 3 – Hormone Balancing
Hormone imbalance symptoms can include unexplained weight gain, acne breakouts, fatigue, changes in sex drive, depression, joint pain, and irritability. Ensuring women are understanding what role nutrition plays in the balancing of their hormones is key. But when was the last time a healthcare professional talked to you about your hormones? The time is now to understand what role your hormones play in your physical and mental wellness and how food can help balance it all.

Session 4 – Immunity Health
Our immune system is our body’s natural defense system against foreign invaders such as colds, flus, viruses and disease. A strong immune system is key to both short term and long term health. Is yours in check? This session will teach you about the best (and worst!) food and lifestyle choices you can make to strengthen your immunity. Don’t we all want to live a long, happy and healthy life? This session can help you do it.

The passion I have for my clients and the nutrition work that I do really makes me feel connected to the world. I am on a really terrific path of health and happiness and I want YOU to join me. If you think you’re ready to do it, please join me for the Best You Nutrition Reset and book your spot today here.

Your Healthy Liver and Why It is SO Important

July 11, 2021

Your liver. You need it to live…but do you know why? The main purpose of your liver is to clean your blood, digest your food and rid your body of toxic substances. We want our liver to get rid of things as quickly as possible, but how quickly that happens can largely depend on your lifestyle choices.

Here is how your liver works: Raise your arm and have your palm facing you. From your elbow to your palm is the ‘stuff’ your body wants to get rid of, and is the vessel to take it to your liver. Your liver is your palm of your hand. Ideally, your liver will detoxify the waste and excrete it out your fingers. But sometimes there are blockages in your liver that stop things from leaving so quickly. And when the liver can’t get rid of things quickly enough and is being overworked, it will slow down and recycle things into the blood. The items that are recycled into the blood are estrogen and cholesterol. If this is happening often or for a long period of time, hormone imbalance and high blood pressure can be the result.

A big sign about how well your liver is working is through a fatty liver test with your doctor. If you liver enzymes are high. Elevated liver enzymes often indicate inflammation or damage to cells in the liver.

Another important thing to keep note of is your bowel movements. You should be having well formed, easy to pass bowel movements one to two times per day.

Signs that you liver might need some extra love include: fluid retention, skin breakouts, sore/red/stingy eyes, waking up between 2am – 4am and being extra hot, lumpy breasts that swell around your period, PMS, always being really hungry, not hungry for breakfast and always craving coffee in the morning, digestive issues, increased body fat and cellulite in ‘new’ places, poor energy, more short tempered than usual.

Now that we understand the basics of the liver, what can you do to make it function optimally for your body? Here are a few things that can negatively affect your liver:

Alcohol
Caffeine
Over-the-counter medications
Over prescribed medications
Pesticides
Cosmetics
Trans Fats
Refined sugar
Viruses
Cholesterol
Estrogen

From a nutritional point of view, there are lots of things we can add to our diet to help. Nutrient dense food is really important for liver health. Salmons, berries, beets, spinach and quinoa just to name a few. Here is a list of specific foods we should be adding to our days for optimal liver health:

Beets
Beetroot juice
Phytoestrogens like flaxseed and whole organic soy
Dandelion tea
Nettle tea
Lemon
Coffee (in balance)
Grapefruit
Blueberries
Cranberries
Grapes
Broccoli
Brussel sprouts
Fatty fish such as salmon
Olive oil
Nuts
Turmeric
Ginger
Supplements to include:
- Chlorella
- Vitamin E
- Milk thistle supplement

So there you have it. Like with any nutrition changes you are taking on, it is always a good idea to speak with your doctor or health care practitioner to ensure it is right for you!

Interested in learning more? Check out some of my nutrition programs here!

5 Steps to Improve Your Digestive System and Strengthen Your Immunity

November 13, 2020

I must admit, as an Integrative Nutrition Coach, two things that I am a smidge obsessed with are digestive health and immunity health. The greatest part is that they totally go hand in hand. The reason is because 70% of our immune system is found IN our digestive system. In turn, if you want a stronger immune system, (and really, who doesn’t?) the key can be found in your gut.

Digestive health is something I am super passionate about working on with my nutrition clients. It affects the way we feel physically – think bloating, gas, indigestion, constipation, diarrhea; it affects the way we are feeling emotionally – anxiety, depression and mental health are all connected to our gut health; it affects our energy levels – always feeling tired, sluggish, low energy or just not in the mood for life. If these are issues that you are dealing with, I am hosting a Virtual Digestive Health Workshop and would love for you to join. See here for more info!

When the microbiome in our gut is balanced with good bacteria, it boosts immunity, prevents disease, and supports emotional well-being. There is such a strong connection with our digestive health and our brain, including overall emotional and mental health. In this week’s blog I wanted to give you my five best actionable tips to get your digestive system on track, and help you on your way to a healthier life!

Take a good quality probiotic. This will provide good bacteria to your tummy setting you up for success. Taken first thing in the morning with water on an empty stomach is what I would suggest. Probiotics can be taken by babies, kids, adults and seniors and I would encourage probiotics to be the taken at all ages and stages of life. My favorite? Pearls Acidophilus by Nature’s Way.
Increase your intake of probiotic and prebiotic foods. I am a huge fan of the concept of ‘crowding out’ when it comes to our nutrition. By this I mean not thinking of all the things that you CAN’T have, but rather all the amazing foods you can add in. In turn, the good food fills your plate and your day and there is no room left for the not-so-good stuff. You crowd it out! For probiotic, think kimchi, yogurt, quinoa, kombucha and artichokes…lots of that ‘pickled’ kinda vibe foods. When it comes to prebiotics, we’re loading up on fiber, fruit and veggies. Some of the best are onions, garlic, bananas and blueberries.
Take Digestive Enzymes. In the beginning, you will want to take one of these before every meal, but once your digestive enzymes are all caught up and working for you, you’ll only need them once in a while. Before a heavy meal or before you eat something you usually don’t – like a dinner out or something off the beaten path of what you usually eat.
Drink up the Apple Cider Vinegar – this is one of my favorite items to really help with your digestive system. While it is definitely a flavour to get used to, diluted raw organic apple cider vinegar will have your tummy and your immune system happy as a clam. A little goes a long way, so about an ounce diluted in water first thing in the morning will really help you out.
Increase your intake of foods with Glutamine. These foods include beets (which by the way, are pretty much the Earth’s gift to humans in my books!), spinach, cabbage and parsley.

You may notice I didn’t talk about what to REMOVE from your nutrition plate to help with your digestive system. There are a few obvious ones such as sugar, refined carbohydrates, and soda. But there might be quite a few other foods that you may need to remove to improve your digestion. We are all bio-individuals, meaning what works for me might not work for you. For example, eating Greek yogurt might be great for my digestive system, but wreak havoc on yours. With so much in nutrition we have to do what works and feels best to us as individuals.

Remember, if you want to learn more about getting your digestive system on your side with the help of food, join me at my upcoming virtual Digestive Health Workshop!

Binge Eating Disorder

July 20, 2020

Eating disorders is a near and dear subject to my heart. As a woman who is always doing my best to cheer women on, how could it not be something that is? In Canada, approximately one million women have an eating disorder, and it is one of the leading causes of mental health issues resulting in premature death in our country. It affects girls and women of all ages. Did you know that 81% of 10-year-old girls are afraid of being fat? And 51% of 9 and 10-year-old girls feel better about themselves if they are on a diet.

Recently, through my education at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York, I listened to a lecture by Amy Pershing, the Clinical Director at the Center for Eating Disorders and Founding Director of “Bodywise,” a comprehensive treatment program for binge eating disorder (BED). Binge Eating Disorder, or BED, is an eating disorder that I had personally never heard of before, and was shocked to find out that it is the most common eating disorder in North America by 5 times. This week’s blog is to share some of the knowledge I learned as it may be helpful to our readers both personally or for someone they love.

Those with Binge Eating Disorder are often viewed by outsiders as people with low self-esteem, a lack of willpower, depressed and that it is not a ‘real’ eating disorder. What is important to remember here is that shame does not create sustainable change. Shaming anyone into doing or changing anything simply does not work. In fact, it typically does the absolute opposite.

Approximately 30% of those diagnosed with BED are NOT overweight nor obese. I find this a really interesting point, as many would assume binge eaters would definitely overweight. But that is not the case. I feel it is important for our readers to know should they worry someone in their life might be dealing with this disorder. But what DOES it mean to have BED?

In a nutshell, there is a lack of control and ability to stop the food eating binge, and tremendous amounts of guilt and shame go along with the binge. To be diagnosed with BED, three of the following must also be happening:

Eating more rapidly than normal
Eating until uncomfortably full
Eating large amounts of food when not hungry
Secretive eating
Feeling disgusting, depressed or guilty after a binge

The above actions must happen one or more times per week for three months, and is not associated with bulimia nor anorexia. This is an eating disorder in and of itself.

Other than the obvious negative feelings about oneself that comes with BED, there are also numerous health issues that can also happen. These include but are not limited to:

PCOS – Polycystic OvarySyndrome
Hypothyroidism
Over production of cortisol (‘stress hormone’)
Sleep apnea
Asthma
Stress
Nutritional deficiencies
Sleep deprivation

People who are suffering from Binge Eating Disorder see food in a different way, meaning they have a relationship with food that is not necessarily healthy. Often food is used for emotional regulation, self-punishment, distraction, boundary setting, soothing, rebellion, or using food subconsciously.

There are many reasons why BED can happen, and what I feel is really important to know is that it can happen to people of all ages and lifestyles. Young kids who are forced to ‘grow up quickly’ often use food as a sense of comfort and secretly eat to feel loved. Athletes after finishing a competition or are in ‘off season’ often binge eat as they are feeling the need to rebel or take control of food off the playing field or stage. People who restrict their food intake for what appears to be healthy reasons may binge weekly on a ‘cheat day’. All of these are examples of BED, and it is not simply ‘overeating once in a while’. It is an eating disorder associated with mental health that needs to be worked on with a professional.

A statement of assumption in the lecture that really stuck out to me was this:

Thin is always better.

Thin is always possible.

Thin people are better people.

None of these three sentences are true. None of these three sentences have value. But they are seen as truth in our society all too often. Being thinner will not make all of your problems go away. And bullying someone based on their body size or weight is never okay. You never know what someone is dealing with behind closed doors, so I ask for you to move through your day with kindness and love, and know that it isn’t always sunshine and roses for everyone each day.

If you or someone you know may be affected by BED or any other eating disorder, please ask for help. Here is a great place to start:

How to Live Your Healthiest Happiest Life

May 19, 2020

Something I have always had a huge fascination with is centenarians and longevity. What can we all do in our day to day living to live a longer, healthier and happier life. This Spring I started my Integrative & Holistic Health and Nutrition Coaching certification and I was over the moon excited when one of the guest lecturers was Dan Buettner. Dan is the person behind the ‘Blue Zones’ which not only focuses on longevity secrets in terms of what you as an individual can do, but also how you can transform your community to live longer and better.

Dan, in partnership with National Geographic, has researched communities around the globe that have the highest life expectancy. Blue Zones are places in the world where people not only live longer, but healthier as well than anywhere else on earth – without medication or disability. To date, five Blue Zones have been identified:

The Italian island of Sardinia
Okinawa, Japan
Loma Linda, California
Costa Rica’s isolated Nicoya Peninsula
Ikaria, an isolated Greek island

So, what’s the secret? This is the part that I love. The number ONE indicator of how long you will live is how long you THINK you will live. It’s your attitude. Your positive spirit. Your optimistic outlook. And a close second? Your DAILY fruit and vegetable consumption.

In fact, 80% of the factors that determine your longevity are to do with lifestyle and environment, with the remaining 20% via your genetics. There are a few common denominators that they have found across the board with the five Blue Zones:

Natural Movement – moving every single day. Not a specific type of ‘workout’ but natural movement like walking and yard work.
Daily Ritual of Prayer – this doesn’t have to be faith based. Meditation or naps to help reduce your stress can also work. I think the key here is that it reduced your stress. We know that stress can cause everything from weight gain to cancer, so ensuring we do what we can to keep it low is really important.
A Strong Sense of Purpose – I love this one. Do you have a strong sense of purpose? Do you wake up every single day with a positive intention or goal? Are you tuned in on why you are here on earth? And pardon the cliché, but do you know what your why is?
Eat Wisely – the interesting thing about the diets of the five Blue Zones is that there isn’t a magic item that everyone was eating. They were eating mindfully. They were eating until they were 80% full. They were eating plenty of fruits and vegetables every day.
Plant-based Diet – the five communities that were studies all had this in common. Very little meat, lots of beans, nuts, fruit and veggies. They ate their biggest meal in the morning. They pre-plated their meals rather than family-style, which had them eating less.
Connection – while we can have the healthiest food on our plate, if we don’t have healthy and strong connections, we are not ‘getting it’. With all of the Blue Zone communities family was NUMBER ONE. Who you spend your time with is a key factor in your health and longevity.

I think this is some really good food for thought (insert obvious nutrition joke here). While what we are eating and how much we are exercising are important, they are not the be all and the end all. My favorite take-aways? Your attitude is the number one life expectancy indicator, so wake up happy, grateful and optimistic. And of course, the common denominator about connection and community. It is wonderful to have a positive attitude for your own health and wellness, but when you can take it one step further to those you love, you are really winning at the health and wellness game. And for parents, pre-plating your kids food can help ensure they are eating enough fruit and veggies at every meal.

If you like what you read, we would love for you to sign up for our newsletter or comment below on what you would love to read more about in our FIT Blog!

Eating Nutrient Dense Food – What It REALLY Means

February 3, 2020

A few years ago, I made a significant shift in my thinking as it relates to my health. When we think about health long term and making sustainable decisions that can last a life time, the idea of constantly counting and measuring our food can be not only overwhelming but exhausting in its own right. Rather, making decisions about the food that you eat should be simple. Eat nutrient dense real food. Food should be something you enjoy cooking, eating and digesting, not something that you and your body have grown to hate.

But what does it mean to eat ‘nutrient dense food’? This is simply the amount of nutrients you get for the amount of calories you take in from a given food. High level of nutrients with low levels of calories is the goal. And ‘nutrients’ are macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein and fat) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals).

The easiest way for me to think about this is how much processing has to go into this to make it something I can eat. Is it a fairly simple food? Can I pick it from a tree or garden? If so, it’s usually bang on. When I am making decisions at the grocery store I think to myself – is this going to help me on my healthy journey or create issues or blocks for me? Think about how eating this food is going to make you feel – is it easy for me to digest? Will it support a strong immune system? Will it help me with my energy and sleep? Nutrient dense food will do all of this and more.

So, what are the best of the best? Here are my top nutrient dense foods:

Salmon
Kale
Garlic
Sweet Potatoes
Berries, especially blueberries
Eggs
Dark Chocolate
Green Veggies, especially Broccoli
Nuts
Legumes
Quinoa
Spinach
Avocado
Seeds, especially Chia Seeds and Hemp Seeds
Red Peppers
Cauliflower
Asparagus
Beets

Equally as important to WHAT we’re eating is what we’re cooking it in and topping it with. You can have great intentions by eating salad every day, but if you’re deep frying a piece of chicken in corn oil to put on top of your salad and dousing it is high sugar, high calorie dressing, you’re missing the health boat. When I look at the calorie count for restaurant salads I am blown away. Many are over 1500 calories…FOR A SALAD!! Yes, you’re getting you veggies in, but need to be mindful of how you’re getting them in too.

Making at home salad dressings is a great way to keep things on the up and up. Using apple cider vinegar, healthy oils such as avocado oil, coconut oil, hemp oil or extra virgin olive oil are a great base. Adding seasoning that is low in sodium is a great way to pack in the flavour. And you can never have enough Turmeric by the way…it’s loading with tons of health benefits.

When cooking meat or veggies, the same rules still apply about what we’re cooking things IN. Cooking spray or corn oil are crap. Stick to any of the above suggested oils or try ghee or butter. Remember – real is good, fake is bad.

When you’re adding sauce to your food, be sparing. Especially with store-bought sauces. Did you know that BBQ sauce has on average 12 grams of sugar per serving and ketchup has 8? These are HIGH! Same goes for salad dressing – you take away your ‘good meal’ idea when you cover it is sugar. Four grams of sugar is approximately one teaspoon of granulated sugar. And who only puts one serving of something usually on things? Portion control is key for sure here too.

Here’s what I think it really comes down to. When you are choosing your food, you are choosing for health or not for health. It’s not a statement of judgement. It’s simply the truth. That doesn’t mean you’re never allowed to have a piece of cake again. But when you are making your meals and choosing your food, be mindful of is this healthy for me? And even more specifically, is this going to support my immune system strength and my digestive system health? If yes – put it in the cart. If not, make another choice. It really is all about our choices and how they affect the way we feel inside and out.

10 Best Foods for Brain Health

October 7, 2019

Our brains. What an interesting place they can be! Our brains take messages from the world and give them meaning for us. They store so much information in our memory – from the way it feels to have a hug from your mom to what chocolate tastes like to what you learned in grade 12 Algebra. The brain controls our thoughts, memory and speech, movement of the arms and legs, and the function of many organs within our body. Treating our brain as best we can is imperative for long term health.

When I first started Intermittent Fasting one of the things that attracted me most to it was the idea of helping to clean our body and brain for more optimal health. Essentially, when we sleep, our brains and body cells are being cleaned. We wake up feeling fresh and energized after a good night sleep. When we continue to fast for a little bit longer, it allows our body to continue to clean its’ cells rather than jump right into digestive mode. I really like that concept.

But other than intermittent fasting, what can we do from a nutrition side of things to help our brains be the healthiest they can be? There are a few foods that are known to be great for boosting brain health. These foods include:

Berries – a strong antioxidant, berries help our memory stay sharp as we age.
Dark Chocolate – this powerful antioxidant helps support cellular aging.
Broccoli – high in antioxidants and vitamin K, this super veg is a winner on all fronts for your big brain.
Avocados – this good, healthy fat is great for your brain and your mood by helping release the ‘feel good’ chemicals in your brain.
Oily Fish – What makes oily fish so good is that they contain the active form of Omega 3 fats, EPA and DHA, in a ready-made form, which enables the body to use it easily. The less work our body has to do to use the nutrients, the more energy we have for other body tasks.
Seeds and Nuts – another win for omega 3 fats and antioxidants with these powerhouses.
Kale – this veg promotes great gut health. There is a HUGE connection between our gut health and our brain health. We would suggest reading more on this here.
Eggs – vitamins B6 and B12, folate and choline are all found in eggs which are great for brain health and boosting memory.
Coffee – the caffeine and antioxidants in coffee are great for brain health. So maybe it’s not just our imagination that we feel sharper after our first cup of joe!
Turmeric – according to Healthline.com, Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, has been shown to cross the blood-brain barrier, meaning it can directly enter the brain and benefit the cells there.

Reducing our sugar intake, switching white carbs for better sources of carbohydrates such as whole grain bread or quinoa, and not over doing it with alcohol, are all things we should make note of when we talk about our brain health. Staying physically active is also really important, as is staying mentally active – doing brain games, crosswords and sudokus for example are all great for our brain and overall longevity and health.

It’s really important to remember that we are our own best advocates for our health and wellness. It is up to you and you only to ensure you are making good choices when it comes to your nutrition and overall health. You need to make YOU a priority, and part of this is eating a nutrient dense diet and staying active through all stages of your life.

If you enjoyed this article, sign up for our newsletter here.

Intermittent Fasting: An Ancient Practice for a Modern World

August 6, 2019

Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, famously said, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”. Hippocrates and many of his contemporaries were proponents of long term fasting as a powerful way of healing the body, heightening mental acuity, enhancing spiritual connection and promoting longevity.

Fasting is currently gaining a buzz in the media, but this ancient therapy has been used for thousands of years to reverse health conditions and reset the body and mind. The question is, does one have to do a long and difficult fast in order to reap the benefits of this amazing therapy.

The answer is No. Science is showing the increasingly popular lifestyle of Intermittent Fasting to be just as effective as long term fasting in receiving the myriad health benefits. Intermittent fasting or “IF” is easy to fit into your busy modern schedule and it promotes healthy and sustainable body composition by stabilizing blood sugars and burning fat while improving energy levels, mental clarity, muscle and skin tone and helping people reach their health goals much quicker.

The secret lies in taking an insulin and digestion break for 12-20 hours at a time so that the body can become insulin sensitive once again and tap into fat reserves as fuel as well as allowing the body to go into repair mode, which can only happen when not digesting food.

There are a few different methods of IF, one of the most popular being the “16:8” ratio. The faster typically stops eating after 8:00pm, fasts while sleeping, skips breakfast, then has lunch around noon when they begin their 8 hour “eating window” from noon until 8:00pm achieving a 16 hour fast. The point of IF is NOT calorie restriction, but rather, to shorten the “window” of eating so that the body can flip from digestion mode into repair mode. You may find you will naturally eat less, yet feel very satisfied. This is due to the stabilization of blood glucose levels and the restoration of proper singling of the hunger satiety hormones.

“The HOW”: during the day…

It is recommended to first begin by consulting a health care practitioner to decide if IF is right for you and then to begin by slowly increasing your fasting window each day until you are at the desired ratio of hours spent fasting versus eating. When fasting, drink plenty of spring or mineral water, and even some tea or black coffee if you choose. I recommend using “Fasting Days” by Innotech Nutrition, as a supportive supplement made in Canada which is a doctor formulated, nutrient complex powdered drink mix specifically designed for intermittent fasting that acts as an all-natural low calorie drink to prevent hunger while maintaining your electrolytic balance. (read to the end of this article for a PROMO CODE for this supplementing option).

At Noon Eat a healthy lunch with a balance of protein, complex carbohydrate and fats. My favorite choice to gently break the fast is to consume a blended protein smoothie with a scoop of high-quality protein powder, coconut milk, a cup of frozen berries and a big handful of greens or a greens powder.

At 4pm Snack on a handful of trail mix, veggies and hummus or a piece of fruit with almond butter.

At 6pm Have a satisfying dinner with a serving of protein, plenty of leafy green salad and/or steamed veggies with healthy fats such as grass-fed butter, coconut oil or avocado, avoiding excess grains, starches and sugars.

7pm Another healthy snack if you’re feeling hungry.

8pm Stop eating and begin your fast.

“The WHY”: Some of the benefits of this “insulin and digestion break”:

- Autophagy – when insulin production is turned off a mechanism called Autophagy gets turned on. Autophagy means, “self-devouring”. Your body searches out and consumes “bad cells” and recycles the materials to produce new and healthy cells. This is showing promise in reducing the risk of many types of cancer and to slow cellular aging.

Stem Cell Production – fasting stimulates stem cell production which allows for self-renewal and reversal of many cellular and mitochondrial diseases. Studies are showing an increase in longevity and reduction of inflammation with IF.
Human Growth Hormone (HGH) Production – studies show that fasting triggers the youth hormone known as “HGH” which improves sleep, increases muscle mass, improves skin tone and joint strength, as well as energy metabolism and fat burning.
Healthy Sustainable Weight Loss – IF is much different than calorie restriction diets. Calorie restriction shuts down then spikes glucose making the dieter feel deprived and fatigued causing a rebound effect and the inevitable “falling off the wagon”. Fasting however, uses up stored glucose and shuts down insulin production thereby allowing us to become sensitive to insulin once again, stabilizing blood sugar levels, and gaining more energy without the crashes. With fasting we become “fat-adapted” or fat burning, which is the body’s preferred source of fuel because it is stable, plentiful and sustainable.
Digestive system and gut microbiome rest and reset: studies show that IF restores microbe diversity in the gut, increases our tolerance to “bad” bacteria, and restores the integrity of the epithelial lining allowing us to absorb nutrients better, all of which has a beneficial outcome for our immune system which is 80% or more found in our gut. This in turn can elevate our mood due to the Gut-Brain Axis and the fact that our neurochemicals are mostly produced in the gut.

In summary, intermitting fasting is a modern take on the ancient therapy that is an extremely beneficial and sustainable lifestyle for both your body, your wallet and the planet. Imagine that the simple answer to our health woes was not found in the pursuit of what we needed to do more, but in what we need to do less. And as we allow the inner physician to do its work, we are also allowing this natural force of well-being to aid the planet in healing too.

About Natalie Reimer Anderson, our Guest Blogger!

Natalie Reimer Anderson was a former professional athlete and high school teacher before being sidelined by a debilitating autoimmune condition that caused her to pursue recovering her health full time. She is now known for her inspirational personal story of overcoming her

illness through cultivating the mind-body-spirit connection to optimal health. As a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Fitness Trainer and Life Coach for over a decade, she combines her expertise of intermittent fasting, cellular nutrition, and fitness hacks along with mindset training and cognitive therapies to transform lives from cell to soul.

W: Nataliereimeranderson.com

E: hello@nataliereimeranderson.com

IG: @blondesovereign

If you would like guidance to properly begin your Intermittent Fasting Lifestyle contact Natalie today! Use this Innotech Nutrition Coupon Code to receive 10% off Fasting Days or any of their products: Nat10