Summer is a time to kick back, enjoy the sunshine and time spent in tranquil destinations. Whether you are staying at a cottage or camping, eating well on these weekends comes with its own inevitable challenges. Raise your hand if, on a cottage weekend, you have felt unwell after eating copious amounts of junk food? Or if you found yourself permanently grazing (and/or drinking) throughout the day? Or perhaps you witnessed yourself forgoing your usual structure and balance at meals? I know I can say yes to all of these things.
In today’s blog, we’ll explore 3 ways to manage cottage-eating pitfalls so that you can relax without...
Read More
{Part II}
Did you know that nutrition can help you better manage stress? It can. Now that you are aware of the 6 ways stress is sabotaging your diet, we can move on to part two where I’ll share 7 eating and lifestyle strategies to help you better manage stress.
Andrea’s Top 7 Ways to Manage Stress:
Make Yourself the PRIORITY:
“You are the most important person in your life.” This was said by the yoga teacher in class this week and made me think that making yourself the priority is not selfish. Instead, it’s a powerful stress-reduction...
Read More
~Mother’s Day Edition~
Sunday is Mother’s Day, and I still haven’t decided what to get my mom. What do you get someone to say thank you for being supportive, affectionate and so influential? Any material gift seems insignificant. Therefore, this year, I am dedicating this blog to her and sharing the 5 most valuable food lessons she taught me. These lessons have not only shaped my relationship with food but have also influenced my food philosophy. I've shared them with many of my clients at Dietetic Directions.
To add context to my 5 food lessons, I'll share a little backstory. I grew up in a food-centric, Italian-Canadian family in Mississauga....
Read More
The Great Debate
Do you have confusion in the salmon aisle? Have you ever wondered, what’s the difference between farmed salmon versus wild salmon? Is one better nutritionally? And what’s the deal with some salmon saying “Pacific” and other salmon saying “Atlantic”? Today, we will be breaking down the science so you know what to buy when fishing for your salmon.
Before we dive in, let’s first talk omega 3’s. Omega 3’s are our heart-healthy fats that have anti-inflammatory properties. Omega 3’s lower risk of heart disease and risk of certain cancers. They are also important in brain, nerve and eye development for infants. They may improve our immune...
Read More
Do you have a picky eater? Are mealtimes a struggle? Do you feel like a short-order cook at the mercy of making WHATEVER your little one will eat? Are you tired of eating “kid-foods” and wish your child was not so darn picky!? If you said yes to any of these questions, you are not alone. In fact, up to 35% of parents describe their children as picky (Dietitians of Canada, 2017). This statistic is not to sound alarm but to inspire us to support our kids to improve their eating confidence so they can develop a healthy (and positive) relationship with food as they grow.
Today, I...
Read More
When was the last time you did a freezer inventory? Can’t remember? I was in the same boat. There was food lurking in the back corners that quickly became freezer burnt and sadly in the garbage. When I became intentional (by doing a freezer inventory), all of this changed. I was able to feel confident with what I had on hand, I spent less money on groceries and actually spent less time making meals. Today, I will share my 3 steps to successful freezer inventory.
What is a Freezer Inventory?
A tool used to review what is in your freezer. Allows you to track food stored so that it...
Read More
(without realizing it)
Do you overeat at restaurants? Let’s be honest; we all do. After all, there are just too many factors gently encouraging us to eat more. Like the size of our plates, the dark ambiance and our increasing portions! Not to mention, we tend to be members of the “clean plate club,” which means if food is put in front of us, we eat almost everything. Many of my clients are surprised to discover that the average restaurant entree contains a whopping 1,200-1,500 calories– and this does not include beverage(s), appetizer(s) or dessert! Similarly, the nutrition is comparable whether you eat at your favourite chain or...
Read More
What is the point of making a New Year’s resolution for living better, healthier lives if it is not maintainable? Today, I will share my 5 best tips for boosting your health and well-being! All my tips are achievable and sustainable all year round!
1. Focus on “life-long change”:
This year, ditch all those fad diets, the hunger strikes, the elimination diets and take charge of your health with real foods that taste good! Remember that any valiant effort to lose weight that involves deprivation and/or extreme exercise is unsustainable; you will eventually default to your old habits. Therefore, make a commitment to focus on lifelong behavior change using...
Read More
The holidays mark a time to eat, drink and be merry! I am all about all of these things. However, today I will be focusing on the drinking part and doing a nutritional comparison of the most popular festive and alcoholic beverages. Whether you identify more as a holiday sipper or a guzzler, this article will hopefully shine some twinkling light on what’s in your favourite beverages.
Drinking your Calories vs. Eating them
Before we jump into exploring our festive beverages, let’s first highlight how liquid calories are processed differently in our bodies from food calories. Quite simply, the act of eating (chewing and stomach expanding) signals to the...
Read More
