As we move through the rollercoaster ride of what’s been the last year and take on this third wave of increasing COVID-19 rates, immunity has been on many of our minds. A quick Google search for “immune boosting” yields nearly 38 million search results, revealing a lot of information – AND MISINFORMATION. Most articles skip over vaccines to suggest some variation of eating miracle foods and supplementing vitamins, antioxidants, and probiotics. But what should we really be doing to keep our immune systems in top shape?

The reality is that keeping a strong immune system follows the same advice we use for general healthy living: eat a variety of healthy foods, including fruits and vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean proteins; sleep seven to nine hours per night; exercise at least 150 minutes per week; and manage your stress levels.

When it comes to nutrition, there are many nutrients that are involved in immune function: vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, E, and folate, zinc, selenium, copper, and iron. While these are necessary for immune health, a balanced diet can provide enough of all of them (except for Vitamin D in some cases; speak with your doctor or dietitian about a supplement). Beware of companies trying to recommend super-doses of vitamins. Nutrients like vitamin C and zinc, often touted as miracle cures for cold and flu season, have virtually no evidence supporting their supplementation helping to decrease the length or likelihood of illness. It is important to get enough – deficiency can weaken the immune system – but more isn’t necessarily better. Nutrients like zinc can also have some nasty side effects if taken in large quantities, including nausea and vomiting.

Listen in as Andrea and Drew share more details about how to include these things in your diet, what to steer clear of (and save your money on), and how to recognize a red flag so that you maintain peace of mind instead of second guessing your nutrition choices.  Your immune system will thank you.

Prepared by: Emily Rodford, Dietetic Intern

The uncertainty of COVID-19 has impacted everyone differently, but from a food security perspective, many shifted into survival mode. Despite the food industry and government reassuring Canadians there is no shortage of food, many people began panic buying items at the start of the pandemic. Stats Canada provided us with a lot of data when COVID first hit — something that our government and retailers are keeping on top of as we live through the second wave. Seeing empty grocery store shelves led to a snowball effect in which the masses of people were purchasing food in quantities much above their needs. Was there just not enough for everyone to go around, or did the “early bird” just take what they needed for four months and then some?

During this stressful time, it is important for us all to look out for and support one another. It is no surprise that many people have been financially impacted by the pandemic. Stats Canada has closely examined the relation between finances and food security since the start of the pandemic. Are the government’s efforts in providing financial relief enough for all Canadians? Has the second wave of “panic buying” hit our economy as hard? These are all valid questions, and those of so many through our nation.  Listen in as Andrea dives into the information with more detail and shares many of the stats to keep you well-informed so you can feel at ease by knowing the facts.

Where are grocery bills going? How does yours tally up?  Grocery prices change each year.  An important survey, Canada’s Food Price Report, along with the launch of Canada’s New Food Guide in 2019 had many people questioning how we could eat well within budget?  The food guide seemed to have many people questioning how much more their food bill would increase.  Listen up as Drew and I chat about this report and how you can eat well within a reasonable budget!  Even for your Cannabis!

Have you heard about Nutrigenomix?  It looks at our individual genes and how external factors (including nutrition) can impact them.  It’s a pretty cool phenomenon coming out of U of T.  It’s been around for a number of years, but there are many questions surrounding it.  Listen in as Drew and I chat the facts and what you need to know to better your health and nutrition.

Oh it’s a touchy subject for me, but Drew and I dive into the conversations around weight, nutrition, diet, and so much more and speakingto children. What we do, as adults, around our children are modeled every day to them. How we speak to our children is always filtered through THEIR lens, so let’s get down to it and try to understand how we can be the best positive role models in our food and weight driven world.

Celery Juicing is NOT new, but this past year with the ridiculous rise in the price of celery, so many were wondering WHY?  What does celery all of a sudden have in it that makes it incredible for our health?  Or is it all another fad and money grab?  You don’t want to miss this one.

Have you ever tried something as a “lifestyle change” but then realized there were too many restrictions?  Check in as Drew and I chat the difference between healthy lifestyle habits vs. diets, trends, fads and more.

Busy Long weekend? A bit too many adventures out of the house? More processed foods?  Didn’t sleep as well?  Or maybe you just “can’t get the sleep thing right”?  Did you know that the sleep and rest you get directly impact the nutrition choices you make? How you fuel, feed and feel throughout the day?  Listen in as Drew and I chat about how to take the little steps to get you on track and support a healthy sleep routine.

Oh! We’re going there. It’s been a long time coming since we could sit to chat about the Keto diet. Definitely NOT new in the world, but all of the nonsense around this fad diet needs to be heard. A quick weight loss? Absolutely! But the other side effects! Do you even know what they are? Or what you’re putting your body through? Tune in as I explain this all to Drew for everyone to understand.

We’re going backwards a bi with this one as Drew and I chat about nutrition during pregnancy. Have you ever considered what additional nutrients you should pay attention to to help support your growing baby? Tune in as we chat the basics, and always remember all nutrition plans are individual! Everyone should sit down with a dietitian to find out what’s best for them!