Nutritional Approach for Alzheimer's disease

In today's Boston Globe their is an article www.boston.com/dailydose entitled "Is Alzheimer's Disease akin to type 3 Diabetes?"  This article discusses research that has found that persuasive evidence linking diet to the development of Alzheimer's disease.  Guess what- The researchers discovered that eating a diet in whole foods, low glycemic carbohydrates (low sugar, low processed foods, and little pasta, rice, potatoes, breads,  baked goods, and other starchy foods), limiting excess fat, and limiting nitrates (cured meats such as hot dogs, salami, and sausages), and exercising, has shown to help reduce the incidence of alzheimer's.  Could it be that eating the way ZonePerfect Cooking Made Easy, by Gloria Bakst suggests will help you reduce not only diabetes, heart disease and obesity but also help with reducing the incidence of Alzheimer's disease.  If you want to preview some great low glycemic recipes that are tasty and flavorful go to http://www.chefgloriab.com/healthy-recipes.html.  If you need help preparing meals Chef Gloria B will help.  Contact her at Gloria@ChefGloriab.com or visit http://www.chefgloriab.com/personal-chef-service.html

Quit Smoking: A Nutritional Guide

Quit Smoking:  A Nutritional Guide

There are plenty of studies linking cigarettes to various diseases and health problems, and many people have surely witnessed disturbing ads on TV, which illustrate the dangers of cigarettes by featuring former smokers who use tracheotomy devices to speak or bear scars from removal of a diseased lung.  It’s clear that smoking is bad for our health.  This increased awareness hopefully sparks more people to quit the habit, but the process is no doubt a test of determination and willpower.  Focusing on a holistic plan that emphasizes nutritious foods and exercise can help ease the process of kicking cigarettes to the curb—for good.

Many smokers fear that quitting will cause weight gain.  Smoking cigarettes burns an extra 200-250 calories per day, depending on the number of cigarettes and the smoker.  This can slightly elevate their metabolism.  Nicotine also acts an appetite suppressant, so smokers tend to eat less.  Quitting smoking can easily pack on the pounds for smokers who grab a cigarette because they're stressed or want to feel calm.  They may replace smoking with food, and since starchy and sweet foods that are high in carbohydrates increase serotonin levels, just like nicotine, quitters-in-progress can make the mistake of turning to unhealthy foods to get a similar fix.

In 2007, Duke University Medical Center conducted a study that showed dairy products, vegetables and fruits can help break the smoking habit.  Nineteen percent of participants reported that dairy products worsened the taste of cigarettes, 14 percent had a similar effect with non-caffeinated beverages, and 16 percent reported the effect with vegetables and fruits.  However, alcohol, caffeinated beverages and even meat, enhanced the flavor of cigarettes. 

With the average person gaining four to 10 pounds after quitting smoking, choosing low-glycemic foods that are filling and help regulate blood sugar levels can help control weight.  Foods rich in fiber, such as fruits, vegetables, and nuts, along with lean, protein-rich sources such as beans, fish and egg whites, can result in a satisfying meal that’s low in bad fats and high cholesterol.  Providing the body with proper nutrition from natural foods boosts antioxidants, aiding the immune system that might have been damaged by smoking.

Smoking is both physically and emotionally addictive, which only increases the difficulty of quitting.  However, a smoker can choose from several options to help gain support in their journey.  Consulting a doctor on a regular basis to help with exercise and nutrition plans or joining a support group can aid in recovery.  Choosing to participate in a holistic drug rehab program is also beneficial, as these programs emphasize a detoxification process through proper nutrition, exercise, and spiritual exploration to help understand emotions and deal with stress.  By discovering what led the person to smoke in the first place, they might be less likely to relapse and start again.

It’s important to remember that quitting is a process—smokers who are trying to quite should be patient with their body and allow it to detoxify the natural way with proper nutrition. They should avoid crash diets and give their body time to restore its balance so it can provide for them in the future, smoke-free.

Written By: Alex Kerwin is a creative writer from Florida who has a passion for health and wellness.  In addition to guest posting, he writes for Best Drug Rehabilitation, to spread awareness on the benefits of drug rehab to those in need.

If you are interested in learning how to cook or have someone prepare foods that will help you quit smoking email me at Gloria@ChefGloriaB.com or visit my website www.ChefGloriaB.com

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome & Type 2 Diabetes, Treatment

Do you or anyone you know have PCOS, otherwise known as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?  Or do you have or know anyone who has Type 2 diabetes?  You maybe surprised to learn that the treatments for both diseases are remarkably similar.  Both can be managed with lifestyle changes.  Both have the similar drug    treatments recommended.  If you or someone you know has this drugs aren't necessary,  if they make significant changes in their lifestyles through diet and exercise.

Getting 5 days of exercise for a minimum of 30 minutes is very important. The exercise needs to raise your heart rate to get maximum benefit.  Walking, biking, running, swimming, dancing, single's tennis, rowing, kayaking are some of the vigorous exercises that will help with changing your conditions.

The diet part is the other big piece of the picture.  Eating a balance of lean protein (fish, soy, eggs, or egg whites, low fat diary products, white meat chicken & turkey, bison, or very lean cuts of beef) (approximately palm size and thickness), low glycemic, high fiber carbohydrates, and some monounsaturated fats at each meal will help change your conditions.  Staying away from sugar and sweetened drinks will help you reach your health goals.

For a list of the top high fiber foods with recipes, go to http://www.chefgloriab.com/high-fiber-foods.html
If your looking to improve your health and confused about how to get healthy see www.balancednutritionallifestyles.com  We can help make it easy, simple, and delicious.  Try some of our free recipes to help you get started with your new lifestyle. We can teach you how to make them or do it for you with our personal chef services.

Gatorade VS Coconut Water

Gatorade is a drink used to replenish electrolytes and potassium when people exert themselves and dehydrate.  When the weather is extremely hot or doing intense exercise the body needs to rehydrate and replenish minerals that get lost.  It is often used when someone has diarrhea.  Have you noticed the nutritional label on Gatorade?  It is loaded with sugar, blue & red dye, there is
nothing natural about it.  It does work, but how about using Coconut water next time?  It is all natural, there is nothing added but the water from a young, tender, green coconut.  It has more potassium, electrolytes and it has a high concentration of amino acids, enzymes, minerals such as calcium, iron, manganese, magnesium, zinc and a good source of B complex vitamins.
If you feel light headed after a workout, reach for a cup of Coconut water, you will feel the difference immediately.

When people go through Chemotherapy the doctors recommend patients to keep well hydrated, Coconut water is the best remedy. Next time you reach for the Gatorade, try Coconut water instead. Serve it well chilled or with ice. 
Gatorade label                                                                                            Coconut Water label

  
   
                                                            www.balancednutritionallifestyles.com

What is Dysphagia and How to Cook

Dysphagia affects mostly the elder population.  It is when food is unable to be chewed because of swallowing issues.  Swallowing becomes painful or difficult.  Eating becomes a problem and often people lose a great deal of weight.  I have been working with patients with dysphagia for five years now and have learned how to prepare the food so that it tastes delicious and patients can begin to eat better.

How Does Dysphagia Occur?

“Dysphagia occurs when there is a problem with any part of the swallowing process. Weak tongue or cheek muscles may make it hard to move food around in the mouth for chewing. Food pieces that are too large for swallowing may enter the throat and block the passage of air.

Other problems include not being able to start the swallowing reflex (a stimulus that allows food and liquids to move safely through the pharynx) because of a stroke or other nervous system disorder. People with these kinds of problems are unable to begin the muscle movements that allow food to move from the mouth to the stomach. Another difficulty can occur when weak throat muscles cannot move all of the food toward the stomach. Bits of food can fall or be pulled into the windpipe (trachea), which may result in lung infection.” By ORALFLO.com

I have several recipes on my website: www.ChefGloriaB.com that have been converted to patients with Dysphagia.  For example the Chicken Avocado Salad

I find that a food processor with a chopping blade is indispensable in cooking for people with dysphagia.  If you are interested in more recipes please contact me at Gloria@ChefGloriab.com

The one important understanding if you are cooking for people with Dysphagia is don't just cook the meal and put it in the food processor.  For something like steamed vegetables that is fine.  However, if you are doing a recipe such as the chicken avocado salad, it is important to process in steps so the food has the most flavor.

The Healing Jerusalem Artichoke

 “The Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus), also called the sunroot, sunchoke, earth apple or topinambour, is a species of sunflower native to eastern North America, and found from eastern Canada and Maine west to North Dakota, and south to northern Florida and Texas.^[1] It is also cultivated widely across the temperate zone for its tuber, which is used as a root vegetable.^[

Unlike most tubers, but in common with other members of the Asteraceae (including the artichoke), the tubers store the carbohydrate inulin (not to be confused with insulin) instead of starch. For this reason, Jerusalem artichoke tubers are an important source of fructose for industry^{[citation needed]}. The crop yields are high, typically 16–20 tonnes/ha for tubers, and 18–28 tonnes/ha green weight for foliage. Jerusalem artichoke also has a great deal of unused potential as a producer of ethanol fuel, using inulin-adapted strains of yeast for fermentation.

The tubers are sometimes used as a substitute for potatoes:^[5] they have a similar consistency, and in their raw form have a similar texture, but a sweeter, nuttier flavor; raw and sliced thinly, they are fit for a salad. The carbohydrates give the tubers a tendency to become soft and mushy if boiled, but they retain their texture better when steamed. The inulin cannot be broken down by the human digestive system,^[6] which can cause flatulence and, in some cases, gastric pain.

Jerusalem artichokes have 650 mg potassium per 1 cup (150g) serving. They are also high in iron, and contain 10-12% of the US RDA of fiber, niacin, thiamine, phosphorus and copper.^[“8]”

This information came from Wikipedia

They taste delicious, and for one of my clients it is a healing food.

My favorite way of preparing them can be found on my website: www.ChefGloriab.com

How to Cut a Scallion 

In this video I demonstrate the proper technique for cutting scallions.
Most people don't know how to cut a scallion properly for good energy.