Food Network Canada Online

A word from our sponsors

Go to advanced recipe search

{

Community

}
Blog » Ask an Expert
Ask an Expert » All Tags » Ask a Naturopath (RSS)

A word from our sponsors

Follow Foodnetwork.ca

Ask an Expert

Recent Posts

Tags

View more

Archives

Feeds

A word from our sponsors

  • Ask a Naturopath: Which Vegetarian Foods Are Rich in Iron?

    Jenn asks : "Which vegetarian foods are rich in iron?" Answer: Although iron derived from non meat sources is considered to have less impact than iron found in red meat, it's still an adequate source of iron. It's easy for vegetarians to maintain a balanced level of iron by having a combination of the following iron-rich foods in your diet on a daily basis: Black strap molasses. Legumes (including lentils, chickpeas, kidney beans, and pinto beans). Soy products (including soy beans, tempeh, and tofu). Whole grains (including quinoa and millet). Dried fruit (including raisins and apricots). Nuts and seeds (including cashews, sunflower seeds, and almonds). Leafy greens (including spinach, Swiss chard, beet greens, kale, collard greens, and broccoli). Seaweeds (including dulce, kelp, and nori). Furthermore, vitamin C also enhances iron absorption, so including food rich in vitamin C -- raspberries, papaya, lemons, peppers and broccoli, alongside iron-rich foods, will ensure you get the most iron from your food. Some leafy greens contain compounds called phytates and oxalates that can inhibit iron absorption. They are found in high amounts in spinach, swiss chard, and beet greens so it's important to consume these leafy greens in moderation. Alternate them with kale, collard greens, and broccoli which have lower levels of phytates and oxalates and more easily absorbable sources of iron. Tannins found in black and green tea, also inhibit iron absorption, so it is a good idea to drink tea away from iron rich foods. Answer provided by Jackie Yurko, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine. Do you have a question for our Naturopath? Ask below. DISCLAIMER: This information is for entertainment purposes only. The recommendations may not work for you, and should not take the place of the recommendations made by your own medical personnel. We are not responsible for the outcomes of any recommendations. Do not make any drastic changes to your diet without the supervision of your doctor/dietitian. For more information, please see a Licensed Naturopath in your area. To find one, visit cand.ca . Ask a Naturopath appears every other Wednesday. Join the conversation on the foodnetwork.ca Community: share your healthy eating advice in the forums Related: Visit our Ask an Expert blog Naturopath vs. Dietitian: What Can I Eat to Combat Fatigue? Ask a Naturopath: What Are Essential Fatty Acids?

  • Naturopath vs. Dietitian: What Are Some Foods that Help Fight a Cold?

    Ever wonder about the differences between a naturopath and a dietitian? We do. So we decided to each of them to answer the same question - good idea no? I found the responses surprisingly similar. - CJ J ason asks, "What are some foods that help fight off a cold? When I feel a cold coming on, is there a food that can help??" Naturopath's Answer: There are many different foods that can help boost your immune system when you're feeling sick. When you're ill, it's important to eat foods that are easy to digest so less stress is placed on your digestive system and more of your internal energy can be diverted to your immune response. Some foods that are easy to digest include: soups, smoothies, fruits, and raw or lightly steamed vegetables. Some foods that directly boost the functioning of your immune system include: Raw garlic which provides the body with natural antimicrobial support and helps kill off bacteria and viruses. Ginger (raw, cooked, or boiled as a tea) which provides the body with natural antimicrobial support and helps reduce congestion. Vitamin C rich foods (such as raspberries, papaya, lemons, peppers, broccoli, and tomatoes) which help boost the number of white blood cells in your body. Beta carotene rich foods (such as carrots, squash, and sweet potatoes) which also boost the number of white blood cells in your body. It's also important to drink at least 2 litres of water daily when you're sick in order to properly hydrate your system and to improve your ability to clear out infections and illnesses. The most important food to cut out of your diet when you're feeling sick is refined sugar (which includes white sugar and brown sugar) because it directly compromises your immune system’s ability to fight off infections and illnesses. On top of these foods, make sure you get plenty of rest and keep your physical exertion to a minimum so that your body has enough energy to combat the cold. Dietitian's Answer: There are really no foods to prevent colds. But by maintaining a healthy immune system, you may reduce symptoms and not feel so bad. Boost your immune system by getting these vitamins and minerals in your diet: Vitamin C – eat more citrus fruit, strawberries, and peppers. Vitamin A – this vitamin is found in milk, eggs, and bright orange and green veggies (warning: do not take a vitamin A supplement – it can be toxic!). Vitamin E – found in sunflower and safflower oils, almonds, and peanuts. Selenium – eating...

  • Naturopath vs. Dietitian: What Can I Eat to Combat Fatigue?

    Sharon asks, "What can I eat to combat fatigue?" Naturopath's Answer: Simple lifestyle and diet choices can be helpful for fighting fatigue . When you feel tired all the time, it's a reflection that your adrenal glands (which sit above the kidneys and produce adrenaline) are not functioning in a balanced way. By maintaining and supporting healthy adrenal function, you help to rebuild your energy levels. Some activities that help your adrenals operate properly and efficiently include: • Regular exercise (30 – 45 minutes 3 times + per week) • Getting a sufficient amount of sleep (preferably 8 hours every night) • Participating in regular stress release activities (which can include exercise, as well as meditation, deep breathing, journaling etc) In addition, eating a healthy diet that's rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy protein choices also helps support your adrenal system by providing a good nutrient base for your body to draw from. Nutritionally speaking, B vitamins are especially beneficial to healthy adrenal function and integrating a B complex vitamin (which contains a collection of the B vitamins) into your diet is a great idea – aim for 100 mg/per day in the morning, taken with food. It's also important to avoid refined sugar (which includes white sugar and brown sugar), artificial sweeteners, and caffeine. Even though you may feel an initial energy boost from these substances, they place extra stress on your adrenals and eventually cause your energy levels to plummet. Try using unrefined sweeteners (like brown rice syrup, pure maple syrup, and cane sugar) instead of refined sugar or artificial sweeteners and limit your consumption of sweets to twice a week. If you need a caffeine fix, try drinking green tea instead of coffee or black tea because it's easier on your system and it will help you feel less tired. Living an active and healthy lifestyle is the easiset way to stay energized and to not feel tired all the time! Dietitian's Answer: Are you tired all the time? Try the following tips to be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in no time! Eat breakfast – it helps kick start your day AND your metabolism to wake you up! Don’t eat right before bed: too much food in your stomach at bedtime can hinder your sleep Don’t restrict your calories too much: not enough food can cause your metabolism to decrease, making you tired Eat small meals and snacks throughout the day; this will keep your metabolism...

  • Ask a Naturopath: What Are Essential Fatty Acids?

    Mark asks : "What are essential fatty acids ?" Answer: Essential fatty acids are fats your body needs to function on a daily basis. However, your body can't produce these fats naturally and you can only get them through your diet. Essential fatty acids are a fundamental part of every cell membrane in your body and they are important for healthy skin, hair and nails. Furthermore, they support healthy heart function, help to boost your immune system and directly effect your brain and memory. There are 2 main types of essential fatty acids: omega 3 fatty acids (found in fish, flax seeds, hemp seeds, walnuts, and sunflower seeds) and omega 6 fatty acids (found in flax seeds, hemp seeds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, as well as evening primrose oil). It's a great idea to increase the amount of foods containing essential fatty acids in your diet, but sometimes this can be a bit of a challenge so I recommend integrating an essential fatty acid rich oil into your daily routine. This could include 1 – 2 tablespoons per day of flax seed oil or hemp seed oil and/or 1 – 2 teaspoons per day of fish oil. All of these oils needs to be kept refrigerated and make sure you don't cook them, as heating the oils will comprimise the benefits. If you decide to go the fish oil route, make sure that the oil is not a cod based fish oil because cod contains 30% less essential fatty acids than other fish. Always look for pharmaceutical grade fish oil (available in health food stores) because it will be pruified of any heavy metals and contaminants that may be found in the fish due to environmental pollution. Answer provided by Jackie Yurko, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine. Do you have a question for our Naturopath? Ask below. DISCLAIMER: This information is for entertainment purposes only. The recommendations may not work for you, and should not take the place of the recommendations made by your own medical personnel. We are not responsible for the outcomes of any recommendations. Do not make any drastic changes to your diet without the supervision of your doctor/dietitian. For more information, please see a Licensed Naturopath in your area. To find one, visit cand.ca . Ask a Naturopath appears every other Wednesday. Join the conversation on the foodnetwork.ca Community: share your healthy eating advice in the forums Related: Visit our Ask an Expert blog Ask a Dietitian: What Should I Eat to Prevent Multiple Sclerosis? Ask a Host with Anna Olson: What's Your Favourite Dessert...
    Filed under:

  • Ask a Naturopath: Which Non-Dairy Foods Are Calcium Rich?

    Sue asks : What are some calcium rich foods, in addition to dairy products? Answer: Although dairy is commonly thought of as the richest source of calcium in our diet, there are a bunch of other foods that we can get our daily calcium intake from. Some additional foods which are a great sources of calcium include: leafy greens ( specifically kale, collard greens, bok choy, dandelion greens , and broccoli ), legumes (specifically chickpeas, navy beans , and pinto beans ), soy products ( soy milk and tofu ), nuts and seeds (specifically sesame seeds and almonds ), and seaweeds (specifically dulse , nori , and kelp ). Overall, by including a variety of these foods in your diet on a daily basis you will be able to maintain a healthy level of calcium. However, in order for calcium to be properly absorbed and utilized by your body, you'll also need to have a sufficient amount of vitamin D in your body. Vitamin D is found in most fortified milks (including soy, rice and cow’s milk) and you can produce vitamin D naturally through direct exposure to sunlight. It's also a good idea to take a daily vitamin D supplement to ensure you have an adequate level of vitamin D, so you are able to fully benefit from the calcium you've consumed. Answer provided by Jackie Yurko, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine. Do you have a question for our Naturopath? Ask below. DISCLAIMER: This information is for entertainment purposes only. The recommendations may not work for you, and should not take the place of the recommendations made by your own medical personnel. We are not responsible for the outcomes of any recommendations. Do not make any drastic changes to your diet without the supervision of your doctor/dietitian. For more information, please see a Licensed Naturopath in your area. To find one, visit cand.ca . Ask a Naturopath appears every other Wednesday. Join the conversation on the foodnetwork.ca Community: share your healthy eating advice in the forums Related: Visit our Ask an Expert blog Ask a Dietitian: What Should I Eat to Prevent Multiple Sclerosis? Ask a Host with Anna Olson: What's Your Favourite Dessert?
1 2 3 Next >