PGX Provides Support: How to stop overindulging in unnecessary calories

Although counting calories is not one of my favourite pastimes, it's still important to be informed. Which is why I found the below infographic to be incredibly useful, especially regarding day to day calorie consumption. For example: aside from decreasing your chances of developing type 2 diabetes by half, I discovered several other ways that your body can benefit from reducing your caloric intake by 100 calories a day. Even better, I learned how many calories every day tasks, such as walking my dog, are burning! Read on to learn more.

The PGX Perspective: If calorie consumption is a problem area for you, PGX can help you feel full faster, preventing you from intaking as many calories. Ultimately, PGX can also provide support with weight loss, blood sugar levels and cholesterol.

Infographic source: http://www.weightloss.org/velma/the-cost-of-calories/

Age is just a number, but it's one that will feel less apparent to your body if you keep active.

This Weight-Wise Wednesday, as I was searching for something interesting to blog to you about, I came across a study on the CBC website. The results of which suggest that fit individuals experience a higher quality of life, healthwise, as they age; a fact that I thought was very worthy of sharing.

Learn more about the study here.

Summary of the Study:

"In summary, midlife fitness was associated with a lower risk of common chronic health conditions in men and women older than 65 years enrolled in Medicare."
-Authors of the study

Age, body mass index, blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking, blood glucose levels and alcohol were all also taken into account. Therefore, if cholesterol or blood sugar levels are things that you struggle with, learn how PGX can help.

Stay healthy and take care of yourselves, PGX'ers!

Image source: http://www.muscleprodigy.com/

PGX Investigates: The Health Benefits of Pet Ownership

Can owning dog really make a difference to your health? Yes!

You may be surprised to learn that owning a pet is actually connected to better health! There are plenty of reasons why people have pets and now improved health can be one of them!

Studies have shown that people who own pets are less likely to have high blood pressure, high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and feelings of loneliness. Depending on what kind of animal you keep, having pets can also increase your opportunity to get outdoors, exercise and socialize!

A study conducted in 2007 by Queen's University Belfast found that dog owners especially are more likely to live a longer life and experience healthy weight maintenance, improved cardiovascular fitness and superior self esteem, as well as reduced blood pressure adn cholesterol!

According to the British Journal of Health Psychology, daily walks with your dog (a great way to get out and exercise) are only part of the equation. Dogs can be great stress "buffers" and have been a great source of companionship to people with injuries or disabilities. Incredibly, dogs have also been able to detect an oncoming seizure!

So even though walking is only a part of the healthy equation of pet ownership, the next time your dog comes to you with the leash in his mouth, lace up those sneakers and go for a walk!

Want to read more about the health benefits of pets? Check out these great articles...

Health Benefits of Pets, CDC

Dog-owners 'lead healthier lives' BBC News

Live Like Royalty: The Many Health Benefits of Dogs, Man's Best Friends, The Atlantic

Hey PGX'ers! Hosting a fancy dinner? Check out this fancy recipe!

Sunday Suppers shares their recipe for scallops and spicy carrot puree !

So, you are having guests over this weekend and want to create an impressive menu without all the unhealthy stuff we wish was good for us. What to make?! How about this:

Looks pretty good doesn't it? That, my friends, is Sunday Suppers' scallops with carrot puree. Let's break this down.

Carrots are full of vitamin C, vitamin E, thiamin, potassium and are a good source of dietary fibre, vitamin K, vitamin B6 and manganese. They are low in cholesterol and saturated fats. Basically, it's a good vegetable to have. Cooked or raw, carrots are nutrient-rich, low in calories and satiating! You are less likely to be hungy after eating a bunch of carrots than after eating something deliciously bad like a donut.

Now for the scallops. These delicious sea creatures are low in saturated fats and carbohydrates. They are a good source of vitamin B12, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc and copper, and are excellent sources of protein, phosphorus and selenium! However, enjoy your scallops and consume them within moderation to avoid getting too much cholesterol.

Add PGX to the recipe to make it even healthier. And voilà! You've got a nutrient-rich, delicious, impressive, gourmet appetizer for your dinner menu! Happy cooking!

Image by Karen Mordechai, courtesy of Sunday Suppers.

Julia Havey and PGX check out the latest chicken creation from McDonald's.

These new McBites may not have you smiling...

A new McDonald’s ad caught my eye recently, reading: "Pop Smile Repeat." It’s catchy and reminds me of the famous “Snap, Crackle, Pop” or “Good to the Last Drop” or “Finger Lickin’ Good” slogans of the past. "Pop Smile Repeat" is the slogan for McDonald’s latest contribution to society: McBites. So, in the name of objectivity, I did my homework and I’m not lovin’ McBites. I hope that you won’t either.
 
Erik Trinidad of the Huffington Post wrote: “Just when you thought McDonald’s couldn’t do anything else to mass produce a fast food chicken item short of just serving fried chicken parts like KFC, it has introduced Chicken McBites, the Golden Arches’ answer to popcorn chicken….”
 
Trinidad goes on to say that McBites may have been introduced to be a lighter, snack version of McNuggets. However, the regular size box of McBites is about as filling as a box of 6-piece McNuggets. When you compare the calories — 470 vs. 280 — you can see that McBites have about 68% more calories than their predecessor, a result of the starchy, oily batter that outweighs its chicken counterparts.
 
Read Erik Trinidad’s full review at Huffington Post Canada.
 
Dr. Mehmet Oz referred to me on his “Oprah & Friends XM” show as an “obesity activist.” I hadn’t really thought of myself in those terms but I guess, in many ways, I am becoming one!

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Image source: Huffington Post Food