Move May

I’m moving every single day this May to conquer cancer! Workout to Conquer Cancer is one of Canada’s largest online fitness challenge fundraisers and brings together communities of cancer survivors and hundreds of others who have been impacted by the disease. Funds raised stay right here in B.C., fuelling the work of scientists and clinicians as they continue to advance research, enhance care, and improve the lives of people facing cancer today.

Whether you are taking part in this month-long fundraiser or just looking for some tips on how to eat to fuel your workouts, I’ve got you covered!

It's Time to Unlock the Potential of Food

As we round the corner into spring and start appreciating the longer days, the warmer weather and the smell of fresh flowers, it is also time to celebrate Nutrition Month. This March, join dietitians across Canada, as we unlock the potential of food! Food is nourishment, but it is also a lot more.

20 Ways to Get More Plants on Your Plate

Welcome to week 4! Are you ready to get energized? I know I am! Getting more fruit and vegetables in at each meal is not new news. If I had a dollar for every time someone told me to eat more fruit and vegetables I would be a rich fancy lady by now, but unfortunately, this age old advice is harder to put into action than it sounds. Looking for inspiration on how to do this? Look no further and I promise you these tips will not include eating a salad at every meal. But before we jump into them let’s talk about how much produce to buy and storage because we all hate food waste.

Italian Take-Away

The Mediterranean diet is a way of eating rather than a formal diet plan. It features foods eaten in Greece, Spain, southern Italy and France, and other countries that border the Mediterranean Sea. More and more research is showing that by following this way of eating we can lower our risk of certain diseases, improve our mood, boost our energy levels and keep our heart and brain healthy. It’s not a coincidence that these guys are living until they are over 100! As a dietitian and food lover I needed to do some research into this so-called Mediterranean diet, so I packed my bags and went to southern Italy for 3+ weeks (hard work – right?)

Turning 101 Years Old

When I was 10 years old, my grade 5 schoolteacher told me that the secret to a healthy, long life is oatmeal and what was her evidence? Well, her mom, who was 101 and still healthy and strong ate oatmeal every morning! Almost 20 years later and I still remember this story but now that I’m studying nutrition it’s time to explore this phenomenon – is oatmeal really the secret to becoming a centenarian? Oatmeal is a great way to start your day. Homemade quick rolled oats with melted brown sugar and a tad of cream just makes the most delicious bowel of oatmeal; however, you might find yourself hungry again in no time! How can this be? Doesn’t oatmeal have a ton of fibre?

Fibre, Personal Journey, tipsJessica PirnakApril 30, 2014cancer prevention, cardiovascular disease, full, protein, oatmeal

What You Need to Know Before Entering a Grocery Store

According to the great Michael Pollan we should only eat foods that eventually rot. To elaborate – food processing began as a way to extend the shelf life of food by protecting it from fungi, bacteria, insects and rodents. The more processed a food is, the longer the shelf life, and the less nutritious it becomes. Real food is alive and will eventually die! So, how can you bring this new knowledge into the grocery store? Try shopping the peripheries of the supermarket.

Not So Boring Fiber

In the 1800s, Sylvester Graham traveled up and down the East Coast, praising the virtues of fibre - leaving behind the legendary graham cracker! Unfortunately, in today’s market the graham cracker does not count as a source of fibre, but scientific evidence supports this early promotion of fibre as part of a healthy diet. If you’re like most Canadians, you’re probably not getting enough fibre each day. It’s estimated that most people need twice as much as they’re getting (25g each day).

Fibre, fruits & vegetables, weight controljessApril 29, 2012cancer prevention, full, high blood pressure

Power Couples

Pretend you’re not reading a food blog right now…if I were to ask you to name a ‘power couple,’ what would you say? Brad and Angelina? William and Kate? What about chickpeas and red pepper? Probably not the last one – but I hope after you read this post that the term ‘power couple’ will have a whole new meaning to you.