Elevate your Plate

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Elevate your Plate If you feel burnt-out, fearful, or discouraged about your weight, body image, or overall relationshi I will help you ditch the fad diets and enjoy food again.
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As both a Registered Dietitian and NASM Certified Personal Trainer, I offer a truly comprehensive program that capitalizes on my expertise in both the areas of nutrition and fitness. My ultimate goal is for you to feel good both physically and mentally and to live a fuller and more vibrant life.

25/08/2024

Show colleagues and clients you're certified by the most respected name in fitness with an NASM badge. Add to your resume, LinkedIn profile, Twitter and more.

Lifestyle changes are modifications you might make to your everyday routines.  Examples of lifestyle modifications inclu...
14/03/2024

Lifestyle changes are modifications you might make to your everyday routines. 

Examples of lifestyle modifications include: diet, exercise, alcohol, smoking, sleep, stress reduction, and financial planning. Lifestyle changes require time, patience, and dedication. 


The last and final tip ( #6) for creating long-lasting lifestyle change is: 𝙋𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙋𝙤𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙎𝙚𝙡𝙛-𝙏𝙖𝙡𝙠 


Mindset is everything when it comes to making lifestyle changes. Because lifestyle changes require time + consistency, long-term efforts can leave us feeling discouraged at times.  

When progress isn't going the speed you hoped for or you aren't getting the result(s) you wanted, it is easy to self-sabotage and blame yourself.  

Instead of focusing on what didn't go as planned, shift your attitude to one that celebrates the improvements you have made thus far. For example, even if the scale didn't move as much as you hoped, maybe you are eating more vegetables, drinking less alcohol, walking daily, and have an improved relationship with eating. These are all major wins! 

Any time self-doubt creeps in your mind, visualize a big red 🛑 sign. Replace that thought with a more hopeful one. Some examples include:  
   
✅️ "I am proud of myself for trying my best" 
✅️ "I am capable of making healthy choices" 
✅️ "I am learning and growing every day" 
✅️ "My body is strong and capable of change" 
✅️ "I have learned to love healthy foods I never thought I would like" 
✅️ "I am worth it!" 
✅️ "I deserve to feel good and be healthy" 
✅️ "Some exercise is better than none" 
✅️ "I have way more energy now than ever before" 
✅️ "I am proud of how much weight I can lift" 


Remember that YOU are the priority. Any time you feel down, think about treating yourself with the same compassion you would give to a friend or family member.  

No matter what your personal lifestyle change journey entails, you got this!

Lifestyle changes are modifications you might make to your everyday routines.   Examples of lifestyle modifications incl...
07/03/2024

Lifestyle changes are modifications you might make to your everyday routines.  

Examples of lifestyle modifications include: diet, exercise, alcohol, smoking, sleep, stress reduction, and financial planning. Lifestyle changes require time, patience, and dedication. 


Tip #5 for creating long-lasting lifestyle change is: 𝘽𝙚 𝙁𝙡𝙚𝙭𝙞𝙗𝙡𝙚 


We all know that life can be unpredictable. Sometimes this can feel overwhelmingly devastating, especially when it comes to making self-improvements. Ebbs and flows are inevitable, but what matters most is gaining control of your efforts.  

Accept that challenges will arise.  

For example if... 
🎂 You had a piece of cake on your birthday, or  
🍷 You had a few too many drinks one night, or  
🚘 You went to head to your workout but the car wouldn't start, or 
🔪 You started meal prepping and realized you forgot half the ingredients for the recipe 

You may feel as though all your progress went down the drain.  

But in reality, there is always a new day, a new meal, and/or a new fitness opportunity awaiting you on the other side. Do your best to not let these slip-ups define your progress, because guess what they don't! 

By practicing balance and moderation in all areas of your life, you will only set yourself up for long-term success.  




Lifestyle changes are modifications you might make to your everyday routines.   Examples of lifestyle modifications incl...
28/02/2024

Lifestyle changes are modifications you might make to your everyday routines.  

Examples of lifestyle modifications include: diet, exercise, alcohol, smoking, sleep, stress reduction, and financial planning. Lifestyle changes require time, patience, and dedication. 


Tip #4 for creating long-lasting lifestyle change is: 𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙗𝙚 


There is nothing more difficult than trying to make lifestyle changes on your own.  

Why? Because you may feel alone on your journey, there is little accountability, and you don't have support to keep going when you feel like giving up. 

Find an accountability buddy (or buddies) to help you stay on track, get you through the difficult moments, and to bounce ideas off of. 

There are two types of support systems: 
1. Your closer, inner circle of family, friends, and significant others 
2. Your secondary system of community members, health professionals, extracurricular activities, and coworkers 


No matter who is in your tribe, use them to carry you through your journey.  




Lifestyle changes are modifications you might make to your everyday routines.         Examples of lifestyle modification...
21/02/2024

Lifestyle changes are modifications you might make to your everyday routines.     
    
Examples of lifestyle modifications include: diet, exercise, alcohol, smoking, sleep, stress reduction, and financial planning. Lifestyle changes require time, patience, and dedication.    
    
    
Tip #3 for creating long-lasting lifestyle changes is: 𝙆𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 "𝙬𝙝𝙮"  
    

It is important to know your personal reasons behind the S.M.A.R.T goals you created in tip #2. Without a purpose, it will be more difficult to feel motivated to make lifestyle changes.  
  

For example, are you wanting to make lifestyle changes to:  
🍎 Reduce your risk of diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, and stroke  
🍏 Increase stamina and improve cardiovascular health  
🍎 Live a longer life than your parents and/or grandparents  
🍏 Be able to play with your kids + grandkids without feeling winded  
🍎 Perform better at work  
🍏 Increase balance and flexibility   
🍎 Prevent falls later in life  
🍏 Feel more comfortable in your clothes  
🍎 Reduce the number of medications taken  
🍏 Have financial freedom  
  

Whatever you determine your personal "why"s to be, write them down. Your list of "why"s will be especially important on days where you feel like quitting or giving up on your journey towards a better future.   
  
    

Lifestyle changes are modifications you might make to your everyday routines.       Examples of lifestyle modifications ...
13/02/2024

Lifestyle changes are modifications you might make to your everyday routines.    
   
Examples of lifestyle modifications include: diet, exercise, alcohol, smoking, sleep, stress reduction, and financial planning. Lifestyle changes require time, patience, and dedication.   
   
   
Tip #2 for creating long-lasting lifestyle changes is: 𝘾𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙎.𝙈.𝘼.𝙍.𝙏 𝙂𝙤𝙖𝙡𝙨 
   
  
Goals serve as blueprints of action and help guide us in our decision-making. However, if goals aren't specific or realistic enough, we are only setting ourselves up for failure.  

In order to create successful lifestyle change, focus on creating S.M.A.R.T goals. S.M.A.R.T goals are: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely.  

“I want to lose weight," “I want to exercise more,” and "I want to drink less alcohol" are not S.M.A.R.T goals. Instead, "I want to lose 1 pound a week by April 1st," "I want to walk 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week," and "I want to limit my drinks to 3 glasses of wine a week" are specific, realistic, and measureable. 

When making your S.M.A.R.T goals, consider the resources you will need, your schedule, and your primary and secondary support systems. 

By transforming your goals into S.M.A.R.T ones you will be able to have a clearer path towards long-term success and be able to make those once daunting plans a reality. 
   


   
goals

Lifestyle changes are modifications you might make to your everyday routines.     Examples of lifestyle modifications in...
01/02/2024

Lifestyle changes are modifications you might make to your everyday routines.   
  
Examples of lifestyle modifications include: diet, exercise, alcohol, smoking, sleep, stress reduction, and financial planning. Lifestyle changes require time, patience, and dedication.  
  
  
Tip #1 for creating long-lasting lifestyle changes is: 𝙈𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙖 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝘾𝙖𝙣 𝙎𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙠 𝙏𝙤  
  

📍 Your plan is a roadmap to help guide you on your journey of change.  
  
🍎 When making your plan, be specific. If you want to eat more vegetables, how many servings do you want to eat per day? If you want to exercise more, how many minutes and days per week do you want to exercise for? If you want to sleep more, what is your target number of hours per night?   
  
🗣 Ask yourself if you’re confident that these activities + goals are realistic. If not, break down bigger plans into smaller, more manageable steps.  
  
  
I suggest 🖊 your plan out and posting it somewhere visible to help you stay on track. Once you are consistent with your plan, your lifestyle changes will become habitual.  
  
  
  
  

Excited to kick off 2024 with a Lunch and Learn for Orangetheory Fitness San Diego members!   Members will learn about t...
17/01/2024

Excited to kick off 2024 with a Lunch and Learn for Orangetheory Fitness San Diego members!  

Members will learn about the importance of creating sustainable health habits as well as the key components to a healty diet. Healthy recipes will be provided for attendees. 



May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Nutrition not only plays a vital role in our physical health but it also plays a r...
31/05/2023

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Nutrition not only plays a vital role in our physical health but it also plays a role in our mental health.

One of the most important nutrients that positively influences brain health is Vitamin D.

What is Vitamin D: a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in a few foods, added to others, and available as a dietary supplement. It is also produced externally when ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight hit the skin. Viitamin D helps the body absorb and retain calcium and phosphorus, which are both critical for building bone. Also, laboratory studies show that Vitamin D can reduce cancer cell growth, help control infections and reduce inflammation

Vitamin D + Mental Health:
• Low levels of Vitamin D are more common among those suffering from depression and/or anxiety
• Research shows that Vitamin D supplementation alone does not improve depressive symptoms. However, when it was combined with physical activity and/or antidepressants the results were more promising
• Sunlight increases serotonin production as well as helps produce Vitamin D
• Vitamin D has immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, and neurotrophic properties and may affect the brain tissues involved in the pathophysiology of depression and anxiety. More research is needed

In foods and dietary supplements, Vitamin D has two main forms, D2 (ergocalciferol) and D3 (cholecalciferol).

Dietary Sources: Few foods naturally contain vitamin D. The flesh of fatty fish (such as trout, salmon, tuna, and mackerel) and fish liver oils are among the best sources. Beef liver, egg yolks, yogurt, and cheese have small amounts. The only vegan source of Vitamin D are mushrooms that have been treated UV light

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Nutrition not only plays a vital role in our physical health but it also plays a r...
26/05/2023

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Nutrition not only plays a vital role in our physical health but it also plays a role in our mental health.

Another important nutrient that positively influences mental health is folate.

Folate is a B-vitamin (B9) that is naturally found in foods. It is also fortified in foods and sold as a supplement in the form of folic acid.

What Does Folate Do in the Body?
• Helps form DNA + RNA
• Works with Vitamin B12 and Vitamin C to help the body break down, use, and create new proteins
• Plays a key role in breaking down an amino acid called homocysteine. When homocysteine levels are high = negatively affects the brain by causing a lack of blood to the brain and nerve cells
• Needed to produce healthy red blood cells and is critical during periods of rapid growth, such as during pregnancy and fetal development

Folate + Mental Health
• Supplementation with folate may help reduce depressive symptoms
• Folate is needed in the brain for the synthesis of norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine
• Folate supplementation led to a 30% increase in symptom improvement among those experiencing depression who were treated with an SSRI compared to people being treated with an SSRI only
• A systematic review of controlled studies concluded that increased folate intake enhanced the efficacy of conventional antidepressants
• A folate deficiency = lower levels of serotonin & dopamine

Dietary Sources of Folate:
Dark green leafy vegetables (turnip greens, spinach, kale, romaine lettuce), beans, peas, and lentils (legumes), citrus fruits (oranges, grapefruit, lemons, and limes), asparagus, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, peanuts, sunflower seeds, eggs, banana, papaya, avocadoes, fortified grains

Supplemental Sources of Folate: Folic acid

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Nutrition not only plays a vital role in our physical health but it also plays a r...
24/05/2023

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Nutrition not only plays a vital role in our physical health but it also plays a role in our mental health.

One of the most important nutrients that positively influences brain health are Omega-3s.

Omega-3s are a type of healthy fat that are essential for the growth and development of the central nervous system during pregnancy, infancy, and childhood. They help maintain optimal functioning of the adult brain and have powerful anti-inflammatory properties.

Omega-3s's + Brain Health:
🧠 Eating Omega-3s increases learning, memory, cognitive well-being, and blood flow in the brain
🧠 They are abundant in the cell membranes of brain cells, preserving cell membrane health, and facilitating communication between brain cells

Omega-3s + Mental Health:
🐟 A low intake of Omega-3s is associated with an increased risk of developing various psychiatric disorders, including: depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, dementia, ADHD, and autism
🐟 Eating Omega-3 rich foods or taking fish oil appears to be beneficial for addressing symptoms of depression, bipolar depression and post-traumatic stress disorder and it may potentially help prevent psychosis

Dietary Sources of Omega-3s: Mackerel, salmon, herring, sardines, flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts, soybeans, avocadoes

Supplemental Sources of Omega-3s: Fish oil or marine algae (for vegetarians and vegans)

18/05/2023

If you are a big snacker and a big fan of trail mix like me, you know alot of varieties out there are high in sodium and added sugar.

By making your own trail mix, you can fully customize the ingredients all while saving money and maintaining healthy habits. Not to mention this took me a total of 2 minutes to prepare.

Trail mix is loaded with fiber, mono and polyunsaturated fat (healthy fats), and plant-based protein.

Pro tip: use no salt added or low sodium nut varieties and look for dried fruit without any added sugar (this one may be hard to find). Roasted nuts add flavor without the sodium.

Individual portions should not exceed 1/4 cup. If you don't have small tupperware you can always measure out 1/4 cup portions using a measuring cup and larger tupperware containers.



Ingredients (fully customizable):
1 bag of roasted, unsalted almonds
1 bag of Brazil nuts
1 bag of dried apricots

Instructions:
1. Place nuts into a bowl and mix together
2. Add dried fruit to the bottom of each tupperware (I used 3 dried apricots to each tupperware)
3. Add nuts to tupperware
4. Shake ingredients together

May is Mental Health Awareness Month.   It is estimated that >1 in 5 U.S. adults live with a mental illness (57.8 millio...
11/05/2023

May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

It is estimated that >1 in 5 U.S. adults live with a mental illness (57.8 million in 2021). Mental illnesses are medical conditions that disrupt a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others, and daily functioning.

Mental Health Awareness Month is an opportunity to raise awareness surrounding the millions of people of all ages, races, religions, genders, and income levels who suffer from mental illness. It is a chance for us to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and focus more on resources and methods to treat them. If left untreated, mental health conditions can result in unnecessary disability, unemployment, substance abuse, homelessness, inappropriate incarceration, su***de, and poor quality of life.

While I am not a licensed or clinically-trained therapist, a majority of the work I do as both a Registered Dietitian and Personal Trainer directly involves acknowledging my client's mental status. This is because mental and physical health go hand in hand. You can't feel good physically if you don't feel good mentally and vice versa. Our relationship with food as well as our eating and exercise behaviors are all shaped by our mental health status.

Join me this month as I highlight some key nutrients to support brain health and mental well-being.

March is National Nutrition Month and this year's theme is "Fuel for the Future," which highlights the importance of fue...
31/03/2023

March is National Nutrition Month and this year's theme is "Fuel for the Future," which highlights the importance of fueling our bodies with sustainability in mind.  
  

This week's tip is: Cook More + Eat Out Less   
  

Not only is cooking at home healthier, it is also more sustainable and far less expensive compared to purchasing food outside of the home.   
  
Did you know that 70% of the sodium in our diet comes from restaurant food? The second largest source of sodium in the American diet comes from pre-packaged and processed foods like frozen meals, snacks, processed meats, canned goods, and baked goods. This is because salt is used as a preservative to help foods last longer in your fridge, freezer, or pantry.   
  
In addition to the high amount of sodium, when we purchase foods and beverages from restaurants or buy them pre-packaged, this often = more waste. Think about all the plastic, styrofoam, cardboard, utensils, plastic films, and paper and plastic bags that you throw away when ordering take-out or buying pre-packaged foods and beverages. And think that you are just 1 person on a planet of over 7 billion people.   
  
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, containers and packaging make up 82.2 million tons of municipal waste per year. This is just our city landfills and doesn't account for the waste that ends up in our oceans.   
  
By making more home-cooked meals and beverages:  
🌱 You have full control over the amount of sodium, sugar, and fat that ends up in your diet   
🌱 You will significantly reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and oceans  
🌱 You will reduce your risk of diseases such as: high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, and cancer   
🌱 Save money  
  
Next time you go grocery shopping, consider purchasing more fresh foods, consider bringing your own grocery store bags, and look for brands with less packaging. When ordering take-out or when taking leftovers from restaurants, ask the staff to combine items to reduce the amount of boxes used. Skip out on the napkins, utensils, and plastic/paper bags unless you absolutely need them.

March is National Nutrition Month and this year's theme is "Fuel for the Future."  This week's tip is: Choose Greener Pr...
22/03/2023

March is National Nutrition Month and this year's theme is "Fuel for the Future." 

This week's tip is: Choose Greener Protein Options 


Livestock is responsible for large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions including methane and nitrous oxide, which have greater global warming potential than carbon dioxide. Livestock also contributes to land degradation, deforestation, and increased water use. By reducing our global intake of these protein sources, we can make a big impact on the environment. 

The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that we eat a variety of protein sources including a combo of both lean animal + plant-based protein foods.  

Plant-based protein offers several health benefits, helps prevent disease, and costs less. Far less energy is needed to produce foods such as: soy, chickpeas, split peas, beans, lentils, and whole grains compared to animal sources. These foods have some of the lowest carbon footprints, are drought tolerant, and reduce the need for fertilizers. 50% of these foods are grown in developing countries, aiding in the local economy and food security. 

Here are some ways to add greener protein foods to your diet: 
🌱 Participate in Meatless Mondays 
🌱 Try 1 new vegetarian recipe a week 
🌱 Substitute lentils for ground beef in dishes like tacos, chili, and meatballs 
🌱 Consider adding hummus and edamame as snacks 
🌱 Prepare your favorite cultural recipes using a plant-based protein option instead  
🌱 Make a rice bowl with quinoa + beans 
🌱 Experiment with tofu and tempeh 
🌱 Reduce your portion of meat to no > a 1/4 of the plate at meals  



March is National Nutrition Month and this year's theme is "Fuel for the Future," which highlights the importance of fue...
16/03/2023

March is National Nutrition Month and this year's theme is "Fuel for the Future," which highlights the importance of fueling our bodies with sustainability in mind.  
  
This week's tip is: Reduce Food Waste  
  
Did you know that 30-40% of the U.S. food supply is wasted? Consumers are directly responsible for upwards of two-thirds of that food waste. Food waste makes up 1/3 of landfill waste, where it creates greenhouse gas emissions. Not to mention all the soil, water, energy, fertilizer, carbon emissions, and labor costs that go into the production of food that is never consumed in the first place.   
  
Reducing food waste all means cost savings for you. Throwing away food is the equivalent of throwing away $$ in the trash, compost, or down the garbage disposal. I bet that is a visual that will make you cringe.   
  

Here are some helpful ways you can reduce food waste:  
  
1) Make a shopping list before you go grocery shopping and cross reference it with items you already have at home. By creating a shopping list, this ensures you aren't double buying any items you already have while saving you time in the aisles. Less items = less packaging = less money spent = less waste  
  
2) If you shop at bulk stores (i.e. Costco, Sam's Club, Stater Brothers), go in on the deals with others. This ensures you take only the quantity you will use while dividing the rest of the items up with family, friends, coworkers, or neighbors for a fraction of the price. 
  
3) Use food that is expiring the soonest first. When thinking about what meals to make, build your meals around the foods that are expiring first. Repurpose foods into: soups, stir fries, frittatas, baked goods, smoothies, bowls, pastas, etc.
  
4) Not using it? Consider donating it to a family member, neighbor, coworker, friend, a person in need, or your local food bank.   
  
5) Recycle and compost correctly. Depending on the city you live in, there are items that can and cannot be recycled. Check your local (.gov) websites for all your county's recycling information. Here is helpful link with some general recycling information: https://www.epa.gov/recycle/how-do-i-recycle-common-recyclables

March is National Nutrition Month and this year's theme is "Fuel for the Future," which highlights the importance of fue...
09/03/2023

March is National Nutrition Month and this year's theme is "Fuel for the Future," which highlights the importance of fueling our bodies with sustainability in mind. 

This week's tip is: Buy Locally 

According to the WorldWatch Institute, food typically travels 1,500-2,000 miles from farm to plate. A study in Iowa tracked a single carton of yogurt 2,211 miles just to get to the processing plant. In Sweden, another study found that a typical Swedish breakfast consisting of an apple, bread, butter, cheese, coffee, cream, orange juice, and sugar traveled the circumference of the earth just to get to the plate. 

When we eat foods that are grown locally, we: 
🌱 Help reduce the amount of fossil fuels used for long-distance transportation 
💸 We support the local economy = keeps $$ in the community 

From a nutrition standpoint, food that is locally grown and gets to your plate faster has more of its nutrients intact. The transportation, storage, and retail shelf condition all reduce the bioavailability of nutrients in varying amounts. In fact, one study found that 30% of nutrients were lost In just three days! So the quicker the food gets to us, the fresher it is, the tastier it is, and the better it is for our health.  

Next time you go grocery shopping, look for options from local farms. When possible, check out local farmers markets or consider participating in a community-supported agriculture (also known as CSA) program. By far the most sustainable option for buying local, would be to grow some of your own food.  

No matter which option suits you best, every effort counts. If we each do our part to buy food locally, not only will we help ensure we are getting more nutrients from our food, but we will help the planet as well as the local economy.  


Today happens to be both International Women's Day + Registered Dietitian (RD) Day.   There couldn't be a more fitting c...
08/03/2023

Today happens to be both International Women's Day + Registered Dietitian (RD) Day.

There couldn't be a more fitting combo, for women make up the majority of the RD work force both nationally and globally.

Part of my mission as an RD is to explain a little about what an "RD" is and what exactly it is that we do.

An RD is someone who has:
🍎 a Bachelor's Degree (and now required a Master's Degree) in Dietetics
🍎 Completed 1200 hours of supervised practice in various clinical, outpatient, foodservice, and community settings
🍎 Passed the National Board Exam

RDs are required to complete 75 hours of continuing education every 5 years to maintain their status.

RDs are allowed to provide medical nutrition therapy and can treat medical conditions/diseases. Nutritionists, or those without the educational and accreditation, are not.

RDs are integral members to healthcare teams, community programs, public health legislation, and research.

RDs are the ultimate leaders in translating science into eating recommendations that both promote health and manage disease.

When deciding who to work with on your eating habits or who to listen to on social media, it is important to work with someone who has the educational background and clinical experience vs. someone who did a short course online.

As I wrap up my 10th year working as an RD, I can confidently say this has been the most rewarding career I could have ever dreamed of. Every day is magical.

Shoutout to all my fellow RDs who are making a difference in peoples' lives.

Shoutout to all my amazing clients who inspire me daily.

Shoutout to all my incredible collegues who support our role in the work place and respect our impact in the world.

06/03/2023

March is National Nutrition Month and this year's theme is "Fuel for the Future," which highlights the importance of fueling our bodies with sustainability in mind.

This week's tip is: Buy Locally

When we eat foods that are grown locally, we:
🌱 Help reduce the amount of fossil fuels used for long-distance transportation
💸 We support the local economy
🥗 Food is fresher and has more of its nutrients intact

Help Celebrate Heart Health Month with some whole grains.⁣ ⁣ What exactly is a whole grain? ⁣ ⁣ All grains in their natu...
24/02/2023

Help Celebrate Heart Health Month with some whole grains.⁣ 
⁣ 
What exactly is a whole grain? ⁣ 
⁣ 
All grains in their natural state are actually whole grains. This is because they have all three original parts (bran, germ, and endosperm) still present in the same proportions as when the grain was growing in the fields. ⁣ 
⁣ 
Whole grains are considered to be "good" carbs for they provide key nutrients such as fiber and B-vitamins. Some examples of whole grains include: corn, brown rice, 100% whole-wheat bread, pita, pasta, English muffins, flour, oats/oatmeal, buckwheat, bulgur, amaranth, quinoa, wild rice, barley, rye, and sorghum. ⁣ 
⁣ 
Whole grains boast an impressive heart-healthy resume. A study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in November 2020 looked at 20 randomized controlled trials. They found that for adults both with and without risk factors of heart disease, substituting whole grains for refined grains:⁣ 
⁣ 
🌾 Improved total cholesterol⁣ 
🌾 Reduced LDL (“bad”) cholesterol⁣ 
🌾 Improved Hemoglobin A1c (a measure of blood sugar control)⁣ 
🌾 Improved C-reactive protein (a measure of inflammation)⁣ 
⁣ 
One analysis of 45 studies concluded that eating 3 or more servings of whole grains daily was associated with a 22% lower risk of heart disease.⁣ 
⁣ 
Similarly, another study found that eating at least 3 servings of whole grains significantly decreased systolic blood pressure (top blood pressure number) by 6 mmHg, which is enough to reduce the risk of stroke by about 25%.⁣ 
⁣ 
When purchasing whole grains, make sure to read the ingredients label carefully. Aim for 3 or more grams of fiber/serving and check the ingredients/package for words such as: 100% whole wheat flour and100% whole grain.⁣ 
⁣ 
⁣ 
⁣ 

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