Nutrition – Page 7 – Stylishly Zen

My Battle With This Horrible Tasting Superfood

Published on November 9, 2016November 8, 2016 by soreiyaLeave a comment

In my quest to clean up my diet I have tried a myriad of so called superfoods. One superfood that caught my attention a few years ago was algae – more specifically spirulina and chlorella. As high source of protein and nutrient dense, this blue green algae is filled with many vitamins and minerals including magnesium, calcium and B vitamins. The benefits of spirulina and chlorella include regulating blood pressure, lowering cholesterol, boost energy and detoxification from heavy metals.

Given the amount of research supporting the beneficial health claims of both spirulina and chlorella I was interested in adding it into my diet. Most people who supplement with these algae tend to add it to their smoothies but I am not a big smoothie drinker as I generally prefer to chew my food. Adding aqua greens into my non existent smoothie routine was not going to work for me. I decided that the best way to take the spirulina and chlorella was to mix it with water and just gulp it down. I generally don’t have to much difficulty introducing new things into my diet and I assumed that spirulina and chlorella wouldn’t be an issue.

I was wrong.

Nothing I have ever eaten in my entire life could have prepared me for the disgusting, pungent, nauseating taste of this algae. It smelt funny, tasted worse and left me with an distinctly queasy feeling that I hope to never experience again. I was traumatized. But I am also stubborn and giving up on my goal of including spirulina and chlorella in my diet was not something that I was willing to do just yet. So for the next few days I would faithfully mix a spoonful of the powdered greens with water and choke it down telling myself that it wasn’t that bad, that the agony that I felt was all in my head. I was lying to myself and I was not very convincing.

Spirulina and chlorella soon became my superfood nemesis and I was willing to avoid it all cost. I would think of excuses as to why it was not a good idea to drink it that day, I would “forget” to drink it on the days that I couldn’t think of an excuse and I would hide the container in the back of my fridge so that it would be “out of sight, out of mind”. I should have just thrown in the proverbial towel, thrown away the pricey container of spirulina and chlorella and moved on, but I read a lot of articles and do a lot of research on health and well being, and I was frequently reading about the benefits of these powerful algae. A small part of me was just not willing to completely give up.

I finally came across an article that solved my dilemma. It discussed how wonderful blue green algae was for the body, and offered a simple suggestion for those wanting to create an easy and energizing beverage using spirulina and chlorella – instead of mixing the greens with plain water, use coconut water instead. The sweetness of the coconut water neutralizes the strong seaweedy taste of the chlorella and spirulina and the addition of the coconut water offers extra hydration and electrolytes. Genius! I hadn’t thought to mix it with anything else as I generally stick to water or tea as my choice of beverage. I immediately ran to the grocery store to purchase a carton of pure coconut water and the next morning before heading to the gym I tested out my “new” concoction – while the taste wasn’t amazing, it is tolerable and even somewhat refreshing. Now I’m hooked. Spirulina and chlorella mixed with coconut water is the perfect pre-workout beverage, it’s protein rich, hydrating, energizing, healthy and filling.

For those of you interested in boosting your superfood intake with spirulina and chlorella:

only purchase algae that is clean, safe and pure – environmental pollution can contaminate algae
purchase organic to ensure that it is free of fertilizers and toxins
purchase from a reputable maufacturer
some people are allergic to spirulina and chlorella, seek medical attention at the first sign of an allergic reaction
spirulina and chlorella can interfere with certain medications including blood thinners. Check with your doctor to ensure it won’t interfere with any medications you are on and if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

Spirulina and chlorella can be great and healthy additions to many diets but the key is to find a way to take it in a way that works best for you and be consistent. By mixing it with coconut water you have an easy, energizing and healthy drink to help you power through your day.

Are there any super foods that you have struggled with?

I hope that you have a great day! XXS

Let’s Talk Turmeric

Published on October 25, 2016October 25, 2016 by soreiya4 Comments

Superfoods is the buzziest of buzz words in the world of nutrition, and one of the most popular of the bunch is turmeric. Renowned as a powerful natural anti-inflammatory this brightly hued herb has been used in Asian cultures for centuries.

Turmeric’s popularity has reached new heights over the past few years, but what many people don’t realize is curcumin a polyphenol found in turmeric is the real superhero. Curcumin has potentially disease reversing properties, in studies it has been observed to regulate inflammation, decrease cancer risk, support detoxification and suppress oxidation that has been associated with high blood pressure and several types of cardiovascular disease.

Many studies and people believe that the benefits of turmeric surpass the effects of certain drugs including anti-depressants such a Prozac, many pain killers and anti-inflammatory drugs, diabetes drugs and cholesterol drugs and steroids.

Turmeric is now being studied extensively on it’s potential to improve chronic digestive problems including inflammatory bowel disease (IBS) and Crohn’s disease, arthritis symptoms and cognitive function.

So what does all of this mean for you? While you should never replace medication with a natural herb without consulting your doctor or a medical professional, turmeric is a great addition to your diet. Turmeric can easily be added to various dishes and seasonings and it is also available in pill form for those who prefer to supplement their diets with it. Two things to remember when including more turmeric in your diet:

Turmeric is fat soluble – this means that it dissolves in fat. Taken without fat, your body will not reap the full potential benefits of it. This is why turmeric is best taken with meals.
Black pepper helps to increase the bioavailability of turmeric by 1000%.

Unless taken in extremely high doses Turmeric has no known side effects. Potential side effects include:

-nausea

-diarrhea

-increased risk of bleeding

-uterine contractions in pregnant woman (it’s best if pregnant woman avoid supplementation)

-increased menstrual flow

Overall Turmeric is the real deal in the world of superfoods and nutrition but, like everything in life moderation is key. I love to add turmeric to my eggs, sauces and tea for an extra antioxidant boost. What is your favourite way to include turmeric in your diet? Let me know in the comments below

I hope that you have a fabulous day!

XXS

Fall Glow Getters – What You Should Be Eating

Published on October 18, 2016October 19, 2016 by soreiya6 Comments

To say that I am beauty obsessed is an understatement and I have spent more hours then I care to publicly admit wandering every beauty counter, aisle, website and Sephora that I come across. But at the end of the day I know that true beauty starts from within – in how you feel and what you eat. Now that the weather is getting colder and the leaves are changing colour it’s a great time to hit the reset button on your diet to help boost your skin care needs. Here are some of my favourite fall foods to help me look and feel my best:

Apples

The old adage “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” has a lot of truth to it. Filled with fibre, vitamins and minerals apples are a great addition to everyones diet. The fibre helps keeps things moving through your digestive system, will keep you feeling fuller for longer then other foods and it will keep your skin glowing with good health. The skin on apples contains quercetin which is a powerful anti-inflammatory and the vitamin C content helps the body to synthesize collagen for a more youthful appearance along with boosting the immune system. To reap the full beauty benefits of apples eat them whole rather then without the skin or just drinking apple juice.

Garlic

Garlic is a staple in my kitchen. As a natural antibiotic it is also my go to remedy whenever I am feeling a little under the weather. Filled with antioxidants it helps to combat free radicals in the body. Garlic is also a rich source of sulphur which is essential for the structure of the skin.

Ginger

Ginger is great for warming the body during the colder months. It helps with cellular turnover and blood circulation which helps to transport nutrients around the body and to eliminate toxins quickly. This detoxifying effect leads to a happier digestive system and clearer more vibrant looking skin. Try adding ginger to soups and to teas for a tasty boost.

Walnuts

Walnuts have many health and beauty benefits. They contain copper that helps to boost collagen production and omega-3 fats (that’s the best kind!) that helps to improve skin’s elasticity. With all nuts it is important to be mindful of serving sizes – topping your salads or enjoying a handful as a snack is enough to help you reap the beauty benefits.

Oily Fish

Recently, Victoria Beckham’s interview with The Edit made headlines as she mentioned her favourite skincare secret – she eats salmon every day. As someone who has experienced the benefits of a fish heavy diet I can personally attest that she is on to something. Oily fish contains beneficial fats which help to keep the skin looking plump by keeping the skin hydrated from the inside. Known to be the ultimate internal moisturizer, healthy fats help to keep the cell walls supple. This is especially helpful in combating the dehydrating effects of summer. Salmon and sardines are at the top of the my skin savior list. Try to stick to wild fish as it has a better fat composition compared to farmed fish.

Pumpkin

Pumpkins are the ultimate fall fruit. When the leaves begin to change colour pumpkin pies and pumpkin lattes quickly become many people’s dietary staple. While I am not advocating that more people indulge in either of these sweet treats, pumpkins themselves are filled with many amazing beauty boosting benefits. Pumpkins are rich in copper and zinc – both minerals play a huge part in achieving healthy hair and skin. Zinc also helps to maintain collagen, promote skin renewal, fight acne and protect cell membranes. Pumpkins also contain carotenoids which are phytonutrients that help to improve skin texture, reverse UV damage and promote a healthy glowing complexion. Vitamins A and C helps to promote collagen production, brighten the skin and improve both firmness and elasticity. Look for new and healthy ways to include this incredible fruit into your diet. Pumpkin seeds are also a great source of zinc, use them in salads and soups for an added nutritional boost.

Adding any or all of these foods into your diet will help boost your skins radiance and health from within. Fall is a great time to try new recipes or to find new ways to incorporate these fabulous glow getters into your diet. Let me know below what your favourite fall foods are and how you like to enjoy them.

I hope that you have a great day! XXS