August 2015

Could Probiotics Help With Weight Loss?

Written by Darcy Smith - Posted on 27 August 2015

Could Probiotics Help With Weight Loss?

In the headlines, probiotics are everywhere these days! While they may not be the answer for all, they can play a vital role in healthy living.

We’ve all got colonies of bacteria in our gut, known as the microbiome. They help us digest food, support overall health, and make certain nutrients. Taking probiotics can boost levels of the beneficial bacteria in our bellies, with positive results for health and well-being. But what role do probiotics play in weight loss?

Probiotics and Weight Loss

Of hundreds of types of bacteria living in our digestive tract, it turns out some of them might make or break your weight loss goals. Researchers are increasingly finding that overweight people have different compositions of gut bacteria than those who can stay at a healthy weight. Maintaining a healthy gut flora might just be the key to reaching your optimal size.

Here’s how probiotics may influence weight loss:

Food is absorbed in the digestive tract, and probiotics may help maintain healthy intestinal inflammation, thus improving digestion. Healthy digestion is good news for your weight loss goals.
Certain nutrients that are needed for a healthy metabolism (turning calories from carbs, fat, and protein into energy) are produced by beneficial gut bugs.
Probiotics can keep your intestines from absorbing too much excess fat. However, eating small amounts of healthy fats in moderation is preferable to overeating and relying on probiotics!
Sugary, fatty foods – the same foods that lead to weight gain – promote the growth of bad bacteria. Researchers can’t conclusively say whether bad bacteria promote weight gain, but there’s a correlation between unhealthy eating, bad bacteria, and weight gain.

Tips for a Healthy Weight Loss Program

How does this info help you?

Supplementing with probiotics can help you shift the bacteria living in your digestive tract from the unhealthy ones connected with occasional weight gain to more beneficial strains. One study showed that the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus helped women double their weight loss compared to women who took a placebo, and they were able to sustain the weight loss.

Work a probiotic formula that contains Lactobacillus rhamnosus into your weight loss program.
Add probiotic-rich foods to your diet, such as unpasteurized sauerkraut, kefir, or yogurt. If you’re choosing yogurt, make sure the package tells you how many live cells are in the yogurt.
Be sure to eat lots of veggies to up your intake of healthy nutrients
Include prebiotics in your diet. Prebiotics such as PGX* feed the good bacteria so that your microbiome will flourish.
Avoid excessive intake of alcohol, sugars, saturated and trans fats, and processed foods.
Get moving! Exercise can promote a healthy microbiome just as much as diet, research shows [1]

Probiotics are a great tool to support your healthy weight loss program!

*Drink additional water (8 fl. oz.) after ingesting PGX®. If you are taking medications, take one hour prior to or two hours after taking PGX®

References:

[1] Kang, S.S., Jeraldo, P.R., Kurti, A., Miller, M.E., Cook, M.D., et al. (2014). Diet and exercise orthogonally alter the gut microbiome and reveal independent associations with anxiety and cognition. Mol Neurodegener, 13;9:36.

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5 Tips for a Healthy BBQ

Written by Leigh Matthews - Posted on 17 August 2015

5 Tips for a Healthy BBQ

Summer is the time when millions of people who don’t typically cook suddenly discover an enthusiasm for charring things on a barbecue. While it’s a summer staple to gather ’round the BBQ with friends, family, savoury foods and fresh cocktails, it doesn’t mean all your health goals have to up in smoke.

Here are 5 ways to have a healthier barbecue this summer:

1. Skip the Meat

Instead of meat, try popping some veggie burgers, or marinated Portobello mushrooms on the BBQ. Tofu slices marinated in barbecue sauce are another delicious option, and are an excellent accompaniment for grilled corn and a salad full of fresh, garden veggies.

There’s really no end to your meatless BBQ options. Grilled fresh fruit and veg can be a great main dish, completed with sesame dressed three-bean salad for a punch of protein. In fact, beans can be used in a variety of ways to spruce up any meatless meal: whole black beans add a healthy boost to any salad, mashed chickpeas make a tasty sandwich spread, and a white bean and parsley dip always satisfies as a side dip for vegetable crudités.

2. Skewer Some Veggies

Summertime barbecues are the perfect opportunity to get kids (and adults) interested in trying new, healthy foods. One of the best ways to do this is to experiment with veggie kebabs. Simply choose your veg, add a marinade, or keep it simple by coating them in a mix of olive oil, salt and pepper and your favourite fresh herbs. Pop them on the grill and you’ll have fragrant, mouth-watering veggie skewers.

Some top contenders for colourful, delicious veggie skewers include:

Zucchini
Bell peppers
Eggplant
Pineapple
Summer squash
Mushrooms
Tomatoes
Tofu cubes or seitan

3. Get Creative

If the most interesting thing to hit your grill this summer is an artisanal sausage, it’s time to shake things up. Try throwing asparagus, peaches, pineapple, or peppers on the grill. Even bruschetta can be done to perfection on the BBQ!

All these fresh fruits and vegetables are packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, in addition to being cholesterol-free, low in saturated fat and high in fibre. What’s more, the heat of the barbecue causes the naturally-occurring sugars in these fruits to caramelize, making them taste even more delicious.

4. BBQ Pizza!

Yes, you read that right – grilled pizza is absolutely delicious – and pretty easy too! Pick up some Lavash bread, or make your own dough, and choose your toppings. Carefully slide the pizza onto the grill and barbecue on a low heat for about ten minutes with the hood closed. Fresh fig, humous instead of pizza sauce, arugla gently tossed in olive oil, are all deliciously creative, healthy ways to add extra zest to your grilled pizza.

5. Whole Grain Burger Buns

No matter your patty, make sure you’re using a whole grain bun instead of one made with refined white flour. Whole grains are a good source of fibre and help lower the Glycemic Index of your meal. They also offer a variety of minerals that are stripped from refined white flour.
Barbecuing might have a bit of a bad rap, but a few changes can make outdoor cooking both delicious and healthy. If you’re really determined to be healthy this summer, skip the beer and burger combo and have a fresh fruit smoothie instead. Add PGX® to your smoothie for a fibre boost!* You can also sprinkle PGX granules on your salad, or add them to home made veggie burgers.

* Drink additional water (8 fl. oz.) after ingesting PGX®. If you are taking medications, take one hour prior to or two hours after taking PGX®

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Summer Family Fitness: 5 Ideas

Written by Leigh Matthews - Posted on 14 August 2015

Summer Family Fitness: 5 Ideas

We all know that ingraining healthy habits in kids is important for their health as adults, but what can you do to keep the whole family active in summer? If your kids are more inclined to spend their summer break inside playing video games or chatting with friends online, it’s time for emergency measures.

Here are five ways to stay fit with the whole family this summer:

1. Stay Playful!

How many cartwheels can you do in a row? Who’s up for some tug of war? Is your sidewalk crying out for a hopscotch race? Who’s the best at hide and seek? Can you finish a pillow-case race?

Staying active doesn’t always have to include well known, heart-pumping activities like swimming, hiking or sports. Create little games or challenges throughout the day for bursts of healthy fun, and your whole family – mom and dad included – will be getting lots of fun-loving exercise.

2. Indulge Their Whims!

Kids are fickle creatures, so if you want to encourage them to be healthy, indulge their whims. This might mean taking a spontaneous trip to the lake to swim, to the beach to play volleyball, or to the local courts to play tennis as soon as you get home from work, and why not? A couple of minutes into it, and you’ll be enjoying spending time with your kids, while feeling good about getting exercise.

3. Learn Together

What have you always wanted to learn? Tap dancing, karate, kayaking? Summer is the perfect opportunity to engage your kids in something new, as they’re likely to be looking for ways to avoid boredom. So seize the opportunity and sign up for a fun, new activity with your kids!

4. Bike! Bike! Bike!

Teaching kids to cycle, biking with kids in tow, or going for a family bike ride, are all great ways to stay active in summer. Getting out and about on two wheels will also help give your kids a sense of independence and freedom!

5. Make Yard Work Fun

No, seriously. Chores may not sound very fun, but it’s all in how you frame it. Ask your kid if they’d like to build a new pond in the back yard, or set up a picnic bench. What about planting a new row of their favourite vegetable, or building a basketball net, treehouse, or obstacle course? Yard work can be a lot of fun with kids!

The beauty of exercising with kids is their ability to turn everyday things into playful, bonding activities. Their constant state of wonder, and their willingness to try new things, allow them to find the fun in just about anything.

Have you found any ingenious ways to shake up your routine and stay fit with the kids in summer? Let us know in the comments below!

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What to do With all That Fresh Fruit!

Written by Patience Lister - Posted on 11 August 2015

What to do With all That Fresh Fruit!

Melons, plums, blueberries, peaches, strawberries, nectarines, grapes – it’s easy to get carried away in the summer when so many local fruits are fresh and perfectly ripe. While most fruits taste best when eaten at their peak, they do have a tendency to spoil quickly in the warm summer air, leaving you to wonder – what can I do with all this fresh fruit?!

Here are 4 tips for enjoying your fresh fruit for as long as possible:

1. Handle With Care

Every bruise, scratch, or bruise in your fruit will make it more susceptible to spoilage and off taste. Handle your fruit carefully, and avoid the temptation to check its ripeness by squeezing it!

2. Store in a Cool Location

Storing fruit in the low-humidity section of your refrigerator will slow the ripening process and deter the growth of yeasts and molds that accelerate spoilage. Keep your fruit covered or in its packaging to help maintain freshness and prevent damage.

3.Wash it Right Before Eating

Fruit should always be washed to remove unwanted chemicals, dirt, and insects – but wait to give it a good rinse until you’re ready to actually eat it. Washing fruit too early can increase the rate of mold growth, and decrease its shelf life.

4. Freeze Into Smoothie Packs

As hard as you try, fruit can only last so long. But don’t fret – whatever you can’t eat now can be washed, cut, and frozen into single serving smoothie packs. Speed up your prep and boost the flavor and nutritional value of your *PGX® smoothies all year round!

Blueberry Mint Smoothie

Ingredients

2 scoops of Chocolate Vegan RealEasy with PGX
5 mint leaves
½ cup blueberries
100 mL of almond milk (or milk alternative)
250 mL of water

Procedure

Measure liquid, mint leaves, and blueberries and pour into a blender. Add 2 scoops of Double Chocolate SlimStyles® Meal Replacement Drink Mix, then secure the lid and blend until ingredients are well mixed.

What’s your favourite fruit to eat this summer? Let us know how you keep it fresh in the comments section below.

*Drink additional water (8 fl. oz.) after ingesting PGX®. If you are taking medications, take one hour prior to or two hours after taking PGX®.

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Summer Sippers: 4 Healthy Beverages

Written by Patience Lister - Posted on 5 August 2015

Summer Sippers: 4 Healthy Beverages

Chilled, fruity beverages are a pleasing way to cool down on a hot day. These 4 healthy and hydrating options will help you beat the heat this summer:

1. Iced Green Tea

This classic summer thirst buster will give you a gentle energy boost and a burst of antioxidants.

Directions: Brew 1L (4 cups) of strong green tea, strain, and allow to cool. Transfer to a glass jug, add about six slices of lemon, and store in the refrigerator for up to two days. For optional sweetness add 1-2 tablespoons of honey or agave syrup. Serve over ice.

2. Frozen Fruit Infused Water

Infusing your water with frozen fruit is a healthy and delicious way to stay hydrated and feel like you’re having a summer treat.

Directions: Cut your favorite fruits into large sections and freeze them. Immediately before serving, add at least ½ cup of the fruit each to 2 cups of water. Add ice and enjoy.

Four great combinations to try:

watermelon, raspberry, and blueberry
banana and pineapple
strawberry, peach, and kiwi
orange and mango

3. Sparkling Peach Smoothie With PGX®

To help you stay full and energized throughout your busy summer, include French Vanilla SlimStyles Meal Replacement Drink Mix in your summer beverage menu. It contains 4 g of PGX* per serving to help curb cravings and promote healthy blood sugar levels already within the normal range.†

Directions: Measure 250 mL sparkling water and 250 mL regular water into a blender. Add 1 pitted peach and 2 scoops of French Vanilla SlimStyles Meal Replacement Drink Mix. Secure lid and blend until mixed well.

4. Lime Shandy

When your summer social calls for an alcoholic cocktail, but you want to keep it light and hydrating, make a shandy.

Directions: Combine the juice from 3 freshly juiced limes with 500 mL (2 cups) of sparkling water. Stir in 1 tablespoon of honey or agave syrup until dissolved. Combine with your favorite pale lager in a 1:1 ratio. Add ice, a slice of lime, and enjoy. For a virgin shandy use non-alcoholic beer.

What’s your favorite way to stay hydrated in the summer heat? Let us know in the comments section below.

*Drink additional water (8 fl. oz.) after ingesting PGX®. If you are taking medications, take one hour prior to or two hours after taking PGX®.

†This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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