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May is Celiac Awareness Month, and we wanted to help raise awareness about this serious autoimmune disease. Roughly 1 in 100 people worldwide are affected by Celiac disease, and it is estimated that over 2 million Americans have the disease yet have not been diagnosed, which puts them at risk for long-term health complications. What […]
May is Celiac Awareness Month, and we wanted to help raise awareness about this serious autoimmune disease. Roughly 1 in 100 people worldwide are affected by Celiac disease, and it is estimated that over 2 million Americans have the disease yet have not been diagnosed, which puts them at risk for long-term health complications.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that is prevalent in genetically predisposed people. When these individuals eat foods with gluten, a group of various proteins found in grains, their body mounts an immune response that attacks their small intestine. Over time, these attacks can severely damage the lining of their small intestine, inhibiting proper nutrient absorption.
The disease is hereditary, so if someone in your family (a first-degree relative) has been diagnosed, there is a 1 in 10 chance you may develop the disease. The disease can develop at any age. So, though you may have had no problem in the past eating gluten, that doesn’t mean that cannot change.
If left untreated, celiac disease can lead to serious health complications. For instance, undiagnosed individuals have a 2x greater risk of developing heart disease and a 4x greater risk of developing small bowel cancers.
In addition, untreated celiac disease often leads to developing other autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes as well as other conditions like anemia, osteoporosis, epilepsy and migraines.
Currently, the only treatment for celiac disease is lifelong adherence to a strict gluten-free diet. This means avoiding foods like bread and beer that contain the grains barley, rye and wheat. Even ingesting a few crumbs of bread can trigger a reaction and small intestine damage.
It may seem overwhelming to learn you must cut out all gluten from your diet to prevent further injury to your small intestine, but here are some tips that will make living gluten-free easier:
Celiac disease is a serious one that needs to be taken seriously. Be sure to follow these tips so you can stay healthy and still enjoy delicious foods at the same time!
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Are you an emotional eater? When you’re feeling stressed, do you find yourself ordering in pizza? When something sad happens, do you drown your grief in sugar? If so, you’re not alone. A majority of people deal with the challenges of life by turning to their favorite comfort foods. The trouble is, these foods are […]
Are you an emotional eater? When you’re feeling stressed, do you find yourself ordering in pizza? When something sad happens, do you drown your grief in sugar? If so, you’re not alone. A majority of people deal with the challenges of life by turning to their favorite comfort foods.
The trouble is, these foods are only a temporary fix. They fill a void, and in the case of sugar, give our mood a boost. But then we come crashing down again and may even experience shame and guilt for having binged on food we know is not good for us. This can lead to a vicious cycle of more emotions, more eating, more emotions, more eating. This cycle can ultimately lead to weight gain and even the development of certain chronic diseases like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
We are what we eat is a very true sentiment, especially when it comes to our brain. When life throws us challenges, we need our brain to work optimally so we can figure out the best way to deal with our circumstances or to process emotions. The trouble with reaching for comfort foods is, they are actually harmful to your brain.
Think of your brain like the engine in a car. You wouldn’t put frozen lattes in your gas tank because you know your car needs the right kind of fuel to run well. Your brain also needs the right kind of fuel. Your brain requires high-quality foods that are loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. These nutrients nourish your brain and protect it from oxidative stress.
Did you know that studies have shown a direct link between a diet high in refined sugars and impaired brain function? And even a worsening of symptoms such as depression?
The bottom line is, while your instinct in the moment may be to reach for those processed comfort foods, do your best to make better food choices. It will be hard at first, but good habits can be formed over time. Your brain will thank you.
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If anyone had told us a year ago that we would be facing a global pandemic – one that would cause the entire world to go on lockdown – no one would have believed it. But here we are. While some states have begun to reopen, there are still many areas where children are not […]
If anyone had told us a year ago that we would be facing a global pandemic – one that would cause the entire world to go on lockdown – no one would have believed it. But here we are.
While some states have begun to reopen, there are still many areas where children are not going to school and adults are still working remotely. Without question, this disruption in our day-to-day lives has caused many people to make poor food and fitness choices.
Eating healthy can be challenging on its own, but couple that will seclusion at home and the added stress we’ve all been feeling for months – stress that BEGS us to eat comfort foods – and you can see how many of our food choices have taken a nosedive.
Here are some ways you can begin to make better food choices during the pandemic:
Plan Your Groceries Carefully
You may have given yourself and your family some leeway these past months when buying groceries. Did you allow more processed garbage into your home because, after all, we’re dealing with a pandemic, and Doritos and cookies help you cope?
If so, it’s time to buckle down and start shopping better. If you don’t allow junk food into the house, you won’t be as tempted to eat it. Do your best to buy fewer processed foods and more wholesome, organic foods.
Try a Healthy Meal Delivery Service
Parents have been hit particularly hard during the pandemic. Many have had to work from home while at the same time teach their children. Not so easy. This has, no doubt, caused many people to order in pizza and other potentially not-so-healthy foods. Who has time to cook?!
If you do need some help preparing your meals, it is a much better idea to sign up for a HEALTHY meal delivery service. There are plenty of options out there to choose from, a simple Google search will turn up numerous companies who cater to those who don’t have time to cook but want to eat healthily!
Deal with Your Emotions
None of us had time to prepare for this pandemic. One day life was normal and the next, chaos and fear. All of this fear and stress caused us to make unhealthy choices.
While things are still a bit rough, now is the time to take stock in our feelings and process them. Ignoring emotions will only cause them to fester and keep that sugar-craving junkie monkey on our back.
Obviously, self-isolation means far fewer opportunities to be physically active. Gyms have been closed. Heck, even some beaches and public parks have been closed.
So what’s a person to do? I mean, science has shown exercise is important to keep our immune systems running optimally.
Well, there are actually numerous fitness opportunities for you right at home.
Stand While Working
Sitting is bad for us anyway, so why not stand while you work? There are standing desks you can purchase to help you with this, or you can create your own standing workstation (wire shelving units work well for this).
Got Stairs?
If you live in an apartment complex, avoid using the elevator and take the stairs instead. Live in a house with stairs? Walk up and down them quickly for 1 minute, rest, and repeat. Do this a few times a day.
Do Body Weight Exercises
Some of the absolute BEST exercises you can do require no equipment. Planks, push-ups, sit-ups, and squats require only your body weight and a willingness to commit to the routine.
The pandemic hasn’t been much fun for anyone. And it’s no doubt taken a toll on many of us regarding our health. Now is the time to get back into shape and make better food and fitness choices.
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