The Difference Between Whole Wheat and Sprouted Wheat Bread

Sprouted wheat and whole wheat breads are both made from whole wheat kernels.  Sprouted wheat bread is made fom the kernels that have begun to sprout, which makes the grain easier to digest and makes it richer in antioxidents, vitamins and fiber.  You will see sprouted grain breads made from combinations of oats, barley, millet and lentils.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  There's much talk these days about intolerance to wheat, gluten and other digestive disorders.  If you suffer no side effects from a good baguette, have your daily bread and enjoy it.  If you do suffer from intolerance to wheat or gluten, check out your local health food store...there are options out there for you breadaholics!

Be Careful of Glutens and Fillers When You Eat Out

Today, I was in a very upscale market and ordered some lovely takout for my lunch.  A bit of lemon chicken, satueed pole beans and a kasha with caramelized onions and raisins.  4oz each; protein, complex carb and a green vegetable.  Perfect, right?  WRONG!!!  What I didn't know is that there was some sort of filler, gluten or soy-based product in the items.  No less than 5 minutes after eating a really delicious lunch, my throat began to close, phlegm built up and it was 'uh oh, spagheteeo'...food allergy!

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  The tastiest foods at the most wonderful markets can be loaded with glutens, preservatives or thickeners.  If you have food sensitivites, ask what exactly is in your upscale take out lunch before you have an experience like the one I had today.  Thank goodness I can needle myself - acupuncture also works well for the side effects of food allergies!

Gluten Free Can Be Fattening...Read the Labels Carefully

The 'phrase' we are all hearing lately is 'I'm gluten intolerant'.  In some cases, this is true.  In most cases, it's a misinterpretation of a very different pathology occurring in the person's body.  Nevertheless, I recently decided to become my own science experiment and go 'gluten free'.  I first consulted with a very dear friend who distributes Orgran Organic Foods here in the U.S.A.  She warned me that gluten free can mean more fat and protein per serving than an 'ordinary' product that is not gluten free.  Since I don't eat prepared sauces, spreads or processed food, this is a pretty easy experiment so far.  My only nemesis is that I just love a good baguette or piece of bread daily and I wasn't about to give up that daily 'treat'.  It's been about 6 weeks now and, how do I feel?  No difference, really...but I'm not gluten intolerant.  But this bread I've found in the market is a good 'fix' for anyone who has a wheat addiction like me.  When my 'experiment' is over in about 60 days, I think I'll keep purchasing this bread...I like it!

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  I found Alvarado St Bakery bread in the frozen food section of Whole Foods.  One slice is really filling and satisfying, tastes really good (you'd never know it was gluten free) and here are the stats on it per slice:  90 calories, no cholesterol, 0.5g fat, no transfats, 170mg sodium, 15g carbs, 2g dietary fiber, 5g protein.

Alternative Forms of Fiber

My dear friend, Nanci Panuccio, offered me a wonderful list of fiber options for the folks out there who have various types of food allergies.  Here's what Nanci had to offer everyone:
"Brown rice, millet, and quinoa are great non-gluten, non-wheat sources of fiber. Millet bread is especially delicious. Some other options: amaranth, corn, teff, and wild rice.  You can also get tons of gluten/wheat-free fiber from fruits, veggies, leafy greens, beans, potatoes, squashes, seeds, and nuts.   We've been using quinoa gluten free pasta from Ancient Harvest. And Bionatureae makes great gluten free pasta made with rice, potato and soy.  We also make angel hair pasta out of zucchini with a veggie spiral slicer. Has a very similar texture to its wheat/gluten counterpart and with sauce, you wouldn't even know the difference."
Nanci can be reached at:  https://www.facebook.com/npanuccio  and  http://twitter.com/RawJuju   She said she'd be happy to answer any questions you might have!


Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  If you have food allergies and don't know where to turn for food options, log on to my wellness page http://www.kmondesire.com/wellnessprogram.html  click on to the link for Orgran Foods...they have a plethora of products - from cookies and crackers to pastas and breads, etc.  They've got a recipe page on their site and a wonderful customer service center that is ready to answer all your questions!  Thanks again, Nanci, for sharing your wisdom!
There will be no blog tomorrow; I'm taking the day off to golf, fish, ride the bike, exercise, hike.......you get the point!  I'll be back with more Healthy Tips on Monday!

Wall Street Journal Reports on Gluten Intolerance

Why are so many people sensitive to gluten in recent years?  The journal BMC Medicine recently released a study that may give some insight to the question.  The study showed that gluten can trigger a distinct reaction in the intestines and the immune system that can affect people who are not diagnosed with celiac disease.

"For the first time, we have scientific evidence that indeed, gluten sensitivity not only exists, but is very different from celiac disease," says lead author Alessio Fasano, medical director of the University of Maryland's Center for Celiac Research.  Gluten has been a staple of human diets for 10,000 years; it now triggers an immune response like an enemy invader in some modern humans.

The symptoms of gluten intolerance include:  hives, congestion, nausea or in serious cases, potentially fatal anaphylaxis. Less than 1% of children have the allergy and most outgrow it by age five. A small number of adults have similar symptoms if they exercise shortly after eating wheat.
The symptoms of celiac disease (the case in which the immune system to mistakenly attack the body's own tissue) include: cramping, bloating and diarrhea, and can cause malnutrition, osteoporosis. Celiac's can be diagnosed with a blood test, but an intestinal biopsy will confirm the diagnosis.
The incidence of celiac disease is on the rise affecting 1 in 133 Americans. It's also being diagnosed in people as old as 70 who have eaten gluten safely all their lives.   At the present time, a gluten-free diet is the only treatment recommended for gluten sensitivity, though some may be able to tolerate small amounts
Courtesy: WSJ online 3.15.11
Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, your first order of business is to eliminate gluten from your diet for at least 2 weeks and re-evaluate how you feel.  Here's some food for thought:  perhaps mankind is metamorphosizing as a species and that is the reason for this intolerance after milleniums??  Would anyone like to share their own thoughts??
I'm taking tomorrow off from blogging.  Have a great weekend and I'll be back with more healthy tips on Monday!

Gluten and Histamine Allergies and Alcoholic Beverages

Gluten Intolerance
Because the gluten-free commercial market has grown so much, many manufacturers make alcoholic beverages that are free from wheat and barley. Microbrews have been available in some markets for five years or more, and Anheuser-Busch recently rolled out Redbridge Beer, a sorghum-based beer that is the first gluten-free beer to be sold nationally. Some other common beers - including Budweiser and Coors Light - are wheat-free but not gluten-free, though always check labels, as ingredients may change.
Common alcoholic beverages that are naturally gluten-free include wine, sake, and most brandies. Most liqueurs and some wine coolers are gluten-free as well, but it's advisable to check labels or manufacturer websites for these, since there are exceptions.
Histamine Intolerance
Many foods, including aged cheese and red wine, are high in histamine, the same chemical involved in a number of allergic reactions in the body. Two enzymes, diamine oxidase (DAO) and histamine-N-methyltransferase (HNMT), bind to histamine in food and metabolize it in the body. In some individuals, however, these enzymes don't work properly due to genetic disorders or gastrointestinal diseases. This can cause a variety of histamine intolerance symptoms, including the so-called "red wine headache." (There is some evidence for histamine being associated with migraines.)
While red wine is especially high in histamines, all alcoholic beverages are histamine-rich. Antihistamines are somewhat useful in treating histamine intolerance symptoms when they occur, but the best treatment for histamine intolerance is a histamine-free - and, therefore, alcohol-free - diet. Other histamine-rich foods include cured meats, spinach, tomatoes, and fermented foods like kefir.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Don't know where to purchase gluten-free foods or need help with a histamine-free diet?  Join my wellness program today!  Together, we'll work out the kinks and get you on a solid path to good health!

Vegetarianism and You - Getting Started

So, now that you've decided to 'think outside the box' and expand your prandial adventures, I'll just preface today's blog with this message:  consult with either myself or your healthcare provider before embarking on any diet or wellness program.  Ok, now that we've got the legal and pragmatic stuff done, here's how you can start eating more plant based meals:

■Plan Your Strategy:  Every week, increase the number of meatless meals you already enjoy, such as spaghetti with tomato sauce or vegetable stir-fry or a mixed vegetable salad with a meatless protein source.

■Get Creative with Your Meals: Take favorite recipes and try them without meat. For example, make vegetarian chili by leaving out the ground beef and adding an extra can of black beans. Or make fajitas using extra-firm tofu rather than chicken. You may be surprised to find that many dishes require only simple substitutions.

■Broaden Your Horizons:  Scan the Internet for vegetarian menus. Buy or borrow vegetarian cookbooks. Check out ethnic restaurants to sample new vegetarian cuisines. The more variety you bring to your vegetarian diet, the more likely you'll be to meet all your nutritional needs.
Courtesy:  The Mayo Clinic
 
Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Orgran develops food products to assist people to improve their health and provide nutritional alternatives for those with special dietary requirements. Many people around the world trust Orgran to provide a large selection of healthy and tasty products that are free from major food allergens, minimising the need to decipher complex ingredient listings.  All Orgran products are Gluten Free, Wheat Free, Dairy Free, Egg free, Yeast Free, GMO Free and Vegan.  Go to Orgran today and see what great foods they have for you to choose from; also there are wonderful recipes and fun kids' nutritional games to download for free! http://www.orgran.com/

Vegetarianism and You- Getting Adequate Nutrition

The most important factor of any diet is...you have to enjoy what you're eating and you need to ingest a variety of foods. The more restrictive a diet is, the more difficult it can be to get in all the nutrients you need on a daily basis. Because of certain food restrictions with the various forms of vegetarianism, one must consider and plan how he or she will get a proper daily intake of the following:

■Calcium helps build and maintain strong teeth and bones. Milk and low-fat dairy foods are highest in calcium. Dark green vegetables, such as turnip and collard greens, kale and broccoli, are good plant sources when eaten in sufficient quantities. Calcium-enriched and fortified products, including juices, cereals, soy milk, soy yogurt and tofu, are other options.

■Iodine is a component in thyroid hormones, which help regulate metabolism, growth and function of many key organs, such as the brain, heart, kidney and thyroid. Vegans may not consume enough iodine and be at risk of iodine deficiency and possibly goiter. In addition, foods such as soybeans, cruciferous vegetables and sweet potatoes may promote goiter. Because food manufacturers may not use iodized salt in processed foods, vegans may want to ensure that they use salt with iodine at the table or in cooking. Just 1/4 teaspoon provides a significant amount of iodine.

■Iron is a crucial component of red blood cells. Dried beans and peas, lentils, enriched cereals, whole-grain products, dark leafy green vegetables and dried fruit are good sources of iron. Because iron isn't as easily absorbed from plant sources, the recommended intake of iron for vegetarians is almost double that recommended for nonvegetarians. To help your body absorb iron, eat foods rich in vitamin C, such as strawberries, citrus fruits, tomatoes, cabbage and broccoli, at the same time as you're eating iron-containing foods.

■Omega-3 fatty acids are important for cardiovascular health as well as eye and brain development. Vegetarian diets that do not include fish and eggs are generally low in active forms of omega-3 fats. Because conversion of the plant-based omega-3 to the types used by humans is inefficient, you may want to consider fortified products or supplements or both.

■Protein helps maintain healthy skin, bones, muscles and organs. Eggs and dairy products are good sources, and you don't need to eat large amounts to meet your protein needs. You can also get sufficient protein from plant-based foods if you eat a variety of them throughout the day. Plant sources include soy products and meat substitutes, legumes, lentils, nuts, seeds and whole grains.

■Vitamin B-12 is necessary to produce red blood cells and prevent anemia. This vitamin is found almost exclusively in animal products, so it can be difficult to get enough B-12 on a vegan diet. Vitamin B-12 deficiency may go undetected in people who eat a vegan diet. This is because the vegan diet is rich in a vitamin called folate, which may mask deficiency in vitamin B-12 until severe problems occur. For this reason, it's important for vegans to consider vitamin supplements, vitamin-enriched cereals and fortified soy products.

■Vitamin D plays an important role in bone health. Vitamin D is added to cow's milk, some brands of soy and rice milk (be sure to check the label), and some cereals and margarines. However, if you don't eat enough fortified foods and have limited sun exposure, you may need supplementation with vitamin D-2 (derived from plants).

■Zinc is an essential component of many enzymes and plays a role in cell division and in formation of proteins. Like iron, zinc is not as easily absorbed from plant sources as it is from animal products. Cheese is a good option if you eat dairy products. Plant sources of zinc include whole grains, soy products, legumes, nuts and wheat germ.
Source:  Courtesy the Mayo Clinic

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Print out this blog today and keep it in your coupon keeper or wallet, so when you go food shopping, you'll have a good idea of what you'll need for some of your daily nutritional needs.  Read all labels and packaging!

Ever Wonder Why So Many Vegans Are Obese? This One Is For The BeefEaters Out There

I've always been fascinated how so many vegans are obese.  Just whatever could they be eating that can make them so fat?  I am the antichrist to the vegan as I promote animal proteins into a diet filled with fruits, veggies and the occassional piece of pastry.  It's what makes for good red blood cell production and a happy camper.  Now, I know my vegetarian friends out there will disagree with me, but we've always been good sports to 'agree to disagree'.

Here's a Fun Healthy Tip of the Day:  read this article the L.A. Times published on the vegan diet.  I thought it was amusing to read what a 'health nut' actually eats.  In my opinion, they should just go for the cheeseburger!  If you really want to eat well and healthy, email me - we'll talk!
http://www.latimes.com/news/health/la-he-pantry-raid-vegan-20100726,0,3873606.story

Gluten, Wheat, Dairy Egg, Yeast, GMO FREE and VEGAN Link

Here's a Great Healthy Tip for the Day:  If you have food allergies or Celiac's, here's a great company to order products and obtain wonderful tasty and nutritous recipes for you and your family.
Orgran is a leading brand totally focused on health and nutrition. It was founded from sound philosophy to assist people improve their health and provide nutritional alternatives for those with special dietary requirements. For people on special diets, Orgran is an easy and convenient choice without having to read complex ingredients listings. All products are Gluten Free, Wheat Free, Dairy Free, Egg free, Yeast Free, GMO Free and Vegan.
Check it out and let me know what you think!  Happy Eats!!

http://www.orgran.com/home/index.php