Gluten-Free: Healthy or Marketing Scam?

Posted on 29/06/2013 by sbonham

According to U.S. News and World Report estimates, nearly 15 to 25 % of consumers are looking for gluten-free products. That’s crazy! Continuing growth in the gluten-free food industry is expected to continue, reaching $2.6 billion by the end of this year!

So what is gluten? Why is gluten so special? Let me start by saying that gluten is a protein. Not a carbohydrate, a protein.

Being a trained food scientist, I was shocked to find out why people were so curious what gluten -of all things- is?? I have come to the conclusion that Gluten has become a marketing phenomenon over the past couple of years and has got consumers believing it is the “healthier” option. Well, I beg to differ.

Indeed, cutting gluten does not necessarily mean cutting calories or fat, so don’t expect to drop pounds by dropping gluten from your daily diet. In addition, some studies have suggested that people who ditch gluten also miss out on several important nutrients like iron, vitamin B, and fiber. This is certainly not always the case, as a diet focused on fruits, veggies, lean protein, and gluten free grains like quinoa can actually be a whole and nutritious way of eating. But many of the ‘gluten-free’ options out there today don’t offer holistic health benefits such as the foods just listed. They are essentially “junk” food without gluten.

So you may ask why there are so many gluten-free products if gluten has no real value to the customer looking to be healthier? Well, the reason so many gluten products are on the shelf is because 80 million American’s are currently suffering with gluten-deficiency (or Celiac Disease). Additionally, this protein -gluten- is found in a lot of carbohydrate rich products… and North American’s consume a LOT of starchy products (bread/toast with breakfast – bread/sandwich with lunch – garlic bread with dinner -chips for a snack), which makes us all overweight and sensitive to gluten. Thus, it is not the gluten making you overweight, it is THE AMOUNT OF WHEAT, RYE, BARLEY = STARCH. The key is moderation. You can have a healthy weight and eat whatever you want, just in moderation.

Gluten is just the protein that allows wheat to have “elasticity” – meaning you can roll out the dough- or toss it in the air and make a great pizza crust. In fact research has shown that eliminating gluten from cookies etc. can actually make people gain weight if you don’t have a gluten allergy.

In fact, in a Doctor Oz episode (link below), a specialist was brought on who mentioned a study where 81% of people on a gluten free diets actually gained weight! If you don’t believe me, check out the video link from their website.

Valerie Edwards, a registered dietician with Providence Portland Medical Center said that just because gluten-free sounds healthy, doesn’t mean it is. “Unless you have a real problem digesting gluten, and the vast majority of people do not have trouble with gluten, there’s no reason to follow that diet,” Edwards said.

Only people living with Celiac Disease can greatly benefit from a gluten-free diet. Surprisingly, approximately one out of every 130 Americans has the disease. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition affecting a person’s digestive tract. Please note, that gluten sensitivity and Celiac disease cannot be just self-diagnosed. One has to see a physician for proper diagnosis.

Cosmetic Chemicals In Fast Food

Posted on 26/06/2013 by sbonham

Next time you have fast food maybe re-think your choices.

Starbucks Talks Sustainability

Posted on 21/06/2013 by sbonham

When you go to Starbucks, do you recycle the lid or cup? I didn’t think so.

Despite a somewhat unmatchable brand loyalty in the coffee space, Starbucks still takes heat due to the potential negative environmental impact of its disposable cups.

Starbucks is now rising up and taking action to become more sustainable. Recently, they rolled out plastic cups for cold beverages that are produced with polypropylene cups and lids, and launching new lightweight plastic cups to reduce resin consumption. In addition, Starbucks has a goal of making 100% of its cups reusable or recyclable by 2015.

In an attempt to find a solution to this recycling issue, Starbucks has launched an in-store recycling program at selected stores.While the program has hit some hiccups along the way, the company said it is committed to eventually offering in-store recycling on a wide scale.

Currently, Starbucks is working with ConAgra Foods to make their coffee cups recyclable. What is preventing this from happening is the non-recylcable polymer adhered onto the inside of their cups to prevent leak.

Conagra Foods are different in that they use post-industrial recycled polylactic acid and convert it into shrink film packaging materials (i.e. the inside lining of Starbucks coffee cups). The company’s PLA shrink film contains more than 50% post-industrial recycled material, and it uses this material for tamper-evident seals on some of ConAgra Foods’ table spreads. However, the CEO of Conagra Foods still recognizes the limitation of PLA based bio-plastics and their researchers are working hard to make sure no plastic/contamination occurs within the cups with PLA shrink film adhered to them (i.e. increased thermal stability). Below is a quote that expresses the CEO’s concerns more thoroughly…

“We know there are challenges with PLA and how it can impact the bottle-to-bottle recycling strategy,” she said. “But we have strict restrictions on PLA and we make sure it doesn’t stay with the package because we don’t want potential contamination.”

By collaborating with its suppliers, Conagra has been able to convert 260,000 pounds of resin from non-renewable resources (PVC and PET g) to PLA (plastic derived from starch). It will be exciting to learn more about what Conagra can do for food companies to reduce their environmental waste and make their materials more sustainable.

Eating For Energy

Posted on 12/06/2013 by sbonham

Isn’t it odd that cancer hospitals never existed before 1904 (the first was the American Oncological Hospital) and that nowadays the American Cancer Society tells us that 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women are at risk of developing cancer in their lifetime!

Have you ever noticed that wild animals do not suffer from obesity, cancer, or the other disease that now plague humans? These beautiful animals are as nature intended – healthy, fit, and suited for survival. And guess what…that’s what nature has intended for you as well.

But what is shocking and downright sad is that when animals are taken from their natural wild habitats, and domesticated, they begin to exhibit the same symptoms and diseases that effect most humans. Have you ever owned a pet that was put down because it suffered from “human” disease? I know many people who have. It’s not right. Not for a dog, cat, nor for you and me, either!

There is obviously something we are doing and eating that is creating disease instead of promoting health and vital energy!

Wouldn’t you rather eat as nature intended for you? Your body was created to eat natural whole foods, preferably in their raw living state — not as cooked foods that are void of nutrients, enzymes, and life energy!

Eco-Savy highly recommends the program “Eating for Energy“. Eating for Energy will show you how to transition from a dead food diet into a way of eating that incorporates more alkalizing, enzyme-rich, energy producing raw foods.

The difference between dead and living foods can easily be seen in the following 2 kirlian photographs. The one on the left is of raw organic broccoli. Notice the energy emanating from it. Conversely, the broccoli on the right has been lightly steamed for just 1 minute! Notice the drastic reduction in energy or life force.

Considering that we are physical beings with undeniable energy properties, which broccoli would you rather feed your body? Having said that, there’s nothing wrong with eating cooked foods on occasion. But for ultimate energy and health, raw foods should make up a greater portion of what you eat.

One of the Most Powerful Nutrition Programs Ever Developed on Boosting Your Energy and Enjoying a Life of Vitality!

With Eating for Energy, you’re about to discover what might be the most powerful energy-boosting raw food diet ever developed. It’s a similar approach to simple and natural nutrition used by the healthiest people that inhabit our planet including the Hunza of the Himalayas and the Tarahumara of Mexico (both of whom live well above 100 years old in great health).

It is also used by many celebrities to help them lose weight and reach single digit body fat levels. But most importantly, the raw food approach you’ll learn about in Eating for Energy is so straightforward, powerful, and simple that even applying just 10% of its principles will change your life forever! I guarantee it.

You don’t have to be stranded on a deserted island, have access to millions of superfood ingredients, or be a raw foodist for this raw food diet to work for you. If so, that’s great but that’s not intention with this ebook.

Eco-Savy guarantees within a matter of days or a few shorts weeks of reading Eating for Energy:

You will have more energy than a toddler on a sugar high!
You will lose fat permanently without wrecking your metabolism!
You will look 10 years younger and make cosmetic models envious of your glowing skin!
You can eat more…yet, you won’t want to!
You will overcome crippling “bad” food cravings and finally be in control of the foods you put in your body!
You will know more about how to eat healthy than most nutrition professors!
You will slow the aging process, live longer, and rarely get sick again!
You will feel so much better about yourself and have unstoppable confidence to live your life to the max!
You will have more physical strength, stamina, and vigor!

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The Health Benefits of Pineapple

Posted on 10/06/2013 by sbonham

Health benefits of pineapples are endless. What surprised me the most about pineapples is how abundant in vitamin A they are. Vitamin A is great for supporting eye health (I have bad vision so this is great for me). Furthermore, vitamin A is full of antioxidants and when eating fruits and vegetables rich in these flavonoids it helps protect the body from lung and oral cavity cancers.