How Food Producers Inadvertantly Are Making Us Sick

     Many of us try and do our best with regards to feeding ourself and our loved ones. Often times when we reach for packaged goods, did you know that the labels can be deceiving? When we read the packages with a little more knowledge we can save ourselves from consuming food that most human beings should not eat. Nutritional labels can be confusing even to the most skilled eye. Many products labelled as light, lean, healthy choices are actually foods that have little nutritional value or are high in transfats, saturated fat, food additives, sugar or are high glycemic. For example, have a look at labels that say:

• "Whole grains" on the label may seem like a good choice. Everyone talks of their benefits but some pre-packaged bars, cookies, cakes and cereal do use whole grains but have more sugar than wholesome grains or have other additives like transfats, sodium and sweeteners. Look at Cheerios Multigrain, they have some good things like corn, oats and barley but they have sugar and brown sugar syrup. They are better choice than the regular Cheerios but not as good as a bowl of steel cut oats with added nuts and/or chopped fruit. Make sure your whole grains appear in the first five ingredients on your package and not near the end. Steer clear of added sugar or fillers. Have a look at some of other nutritional labels by clicking here and searching your favourite cereal brand or other foods.
• A food that claims to be "trans fat free" may actually contain .5 grams of partially or fully hydrogenated oil. Trans fats contribute to heart disease. A product may say natural, such as certain types of peanut butter without sugar but they use a hydrogenated oil to help it spread better. Natural peanut butter should be plain old peanuts without anything else added. Read your ingredients labels.
• The vast array of sweeteners can be overwhelming. Sucrose, fructose, glucose, cane sugar and dextrose are all sweeteners that may contribute to weight problems. Natural sugars in fruits are listed in the nutritional label but on the ingredient list, it may say bananas or apples and not a sweetener like sucrose. Some sweeteners that are artificial such as splenda or aspartame have been chemically altered may contribute to health problems.
• Low fat cereal bars are actually high glycemic, high in sugar and have no real nutritional value. High glycemic foods flip into a sugar quickly in the blood stream and contribute to diseases like diabetes, heart disease and certain types of cancer. For a quick list of the glycemic index of foods click here Foods that scores 55 or less are considered to be low glycemic, 56-69 are medium glycemic and above 70 are high glycemic. It is best to always eat low to medium glycemic foods and limit high glycemic for optimum health.
• Foods claiming to be low fat, sugar free or a healthier choice may all be relative. For example, fat free icecream may actually have more sugar in it and sugar free cookies may be sugar free but are high carbohydrate and higher glycemic which contributes to further weight gain. Not to mention the artificial sweeteners and their side effects. Have a look at some of the research Dr. Mercola has found on them.
• Additives in smoked meats like nitrates and preservatives have been found to contribute to cancer such as bowel, colon, bladder, pancreas and stomach cancer. These preservatives are found in bacon, lunch meats, hot dogs and salami. An interesting article in the daily news mentions those who eat a sausage a day increase their risk of cancer by 20 percent.
• High fibre, oatmeal or fruit bars may actually contain hydrogenated oil, be high glycemic (turn into a sugar in your blood and fat around your waist) or contain food additives, sweeteners or oils. With fibre bars, cereals or grains, search for ones that contain at least 3 grams of fibre. The higher the fibre the better. The fruit leather strips that kid's enjoy, although they may be made from real fruit, are like eating pure sugar and are high glycemic so beware of feeding your ADHD kids these for snacks. You will be feeling more of the "H" for hyperactivity from kids who eat these! For every 4 grams of sugar on a label it is equivalent to having 1 tsp of sugar. Some experts say we should limit our sugar intake from all sources (fruit, yogurt, cereal etc) to 12 teaspoons per day or 48 grams. You can imagine it is easy to use up all of your sugar quota with one or two servings of a packaged cereal or bar.
• Just because products are organic, doesn't mean they are healthy, low glycemic or have any nutritional value. It only means the products in the container have not been treated with pesitcides. Many types of organic crunchy snacks are deceiving. They have no nutritional value and are high glycemic. Note: Look at the carbohydrate and sugar content on any package. On a nutritional label the closer the number of grams of sugar and the number of carbohydrates are to each other, the more likely it is a junk food. A food like Multigrain Cheerios has 25 grams of carbs and 6 grams of sugar, which means it has 19 grams of healthy carbs. Fruit loops have 28 grams of carbs and 15 grams of sugar which is almost 50 percent of the added carbs from a sugar source whereas the Cheerios are only 25 percent. Now consider that a quarter cup of whole grain steel cut oats cooked has 27 grams of carbs and no sugar value. Add some cinnamon, nuts and berries and you have a healthy whole food without the high glycemic sugar. Not to mention 8 grams of fibre for the oats alone. Are you catching my drift? Whole foods are the way to go.
• 100 calorie snack packs that are marketed as healthy choices are really smaller pre-packaged portions, but still have no real nutritional value. They are full of additives and preservatives, and are high glycemic junk foods. Plus if you can manage to eat just one wee package of these nutritionally devoid foods, good for you!
• Read the serving size on the nutritional label. When you realize how much a serving is, you may be surprised to know you could be eating for three. Here is a link to help you read a nutritional label, click here Pasta servings are only a half a cup or less. I don't know too many people who only eat that serving size. It is no wonder over 50 percent of Canadians are struggling with their weight. An interesting report from CTV news remarks on our new and increasing statistics on obesity.

There is a reason that there is a whole food revolution happening. We will stay healthier if we eat food in its original state. People always ask me in the clinic what I eat and I always say "whole foods". I try and eat foods in their original state, like fruits, veggies, lean proteins, grains like brown rice, quinoa or oatmeal. I cook with olive, safflower or coconut oil. I don't stay away from fats either, I eat nuts, olives, coconuts and avacodos. I can honestly say this has worked for me with regards to health and weight. It has also helped me from getting swindled into trying some of these so called health products that have no nutritional value. For snacks I try and have a fruit or veggie with a protein source such as a boiled egg with carrot sticks, greek yogurt with blueberries, sliced red peppers and hummus. These foods fill you up, the protein keeps your blood sugar stable and have great nutritional value. I owe my family's health to our eating habits first and supplements second. An easy way to stay healthy is to always try and choose whole foods that have not been altered by man.

If you know you will be busy one night, make a little extra of something or buy a package of frozen asian veggies to keep on hand and cook it with brown rice and shrimp for a quick and healthy dinner. Use Bragg's seasoning, garlic, ginger or white wine to season up your dinner. Here are a few good sites that have some excellent recipes using whole foods:

• Eden Kitchen
• Clean Eating
• Natural Family Recipes

Did you know?

~That our underwater ecology and reef system is being negatively impacted by the use of commercial sunscreen? Our seascape is dying because of the chemicals in our sunscreen. Better to use a natural biodegradable variety that is good for our skin and our environment.*

~Lifestyle has more to do with longevity than how long our parents lived? Researchers found that a group of 855 people who were non-smokers, took regularly exercise, had low cholesterol and blood pressure lived well into their 90's and beyond.*

~The lycopene found in tomatoes, watermelon, guava and pink grapefruit help prevent the damaging effects of the sun's UVA and UVB rays.* (Of course still wear sunscreen)

*Source: Women's Health magazine June 2011

Summer Specials in the Clinic

• Book a live cell test and receive $20.00 off.
• Book an initial visit with a live cell test and get a free food sensitivity test.
• For regular clients, buy a block of visits for a discounted rate and receive an extra 10 percent off all of your supplements until you use up your visit packages. This package can be shared by family members. Click here for more information.

These specials expire June 30, 2011

Weight Loss Groups

Our next weight loss group starts on Wed. July 6th. and runs weekly for five weeks.

What this group includes:

• How to eat for health and lose weight for good
• What foods are super foods for longevity, health and disease prevention (heart disease, cancer and diabetes)
• Learn what your barriers to weight loss are and how to overcome them
• Recipe share and cooking information
• Group support on how to achieve your health goals specific to your needs
• Exercise demo
• How to keep weight off and wrap your mind around staying trim and fit for the long haul

Average weight loss is 8 to 10 pounds of fat over the five week period.

Please register early if you would like to attend since we only have room for 5 participants. Cost for newcomers is $250.00, save $50.00 off if you register before June 30th. For those who have already done the program the cost is $150.00 to return. Call now 519 827 9237

Testimonials for our weight loss group:

~I liked how quickly it was shown to me what to focus on. It was a very practical guide. ~Guelph Ont.

~I was down 8 pounds in our weight loss group in five weeks. I always thought I was one of those people who never lose weight. Turns out I just gave up to early with other diet plans and this group and philosophy was just what I needed to get on track. I liked the team environment and how it kept me on track. I wanted to do well and historically I would easily get off track. Thanks Heather! ~Guelph Ont.

~The format was great, logical and easy to follow. Heather keeps us laughing while we learn. It was very motivational in a friendly environment. It could only have been better if wine was served! ~Guelph Ont.

~Hi H. after getting your information and as of this morning, day 20 on the amazing Caruso drug free weight loss program. 20 days I have lost 10.2 lbs. Thanks to you I feel there is hope again! I know I'm in here somewhere and am determined to find me again. ~Guelph Ont.

Did you know if you have a health concern you can book an appointment with Heather Caruso?

About Heather:

• 13 years in private practice
• Best selling author of two books
• Has a great passion for alternative health, disease prevention, longevity, nutrition and healthy whole foods
• Is very goal oriented, focused on helping her patients realistically achieve their goals using natural methods
• Works with the patient and their current medical treatments and prescriptions

What the clinic offers:

• Personalized plans for your specific health needs using homeopathic medicine, supplements and dietary advice
• Weight loss counselling with a focus on healthy eating and lifestyle.
• Chronic disease treatments, specializing in digestive health, heartburn and IBS. Women's health issues, hormonal imbalance, adrenal fatigue, fibromyalgia and autoimmune disorders.
• Live cell testing, food sensitivites, hair mineral analysis, organ stress assessment

Book before June 30th and receive a free food sensitivity test with your visit, (for new clients only), Regular clients receive $20.00 off the cost of their live cell testing with mention of our June newsletter.

For more information on our clinic click here.

Call Caruso Homeopathic Clinic now:

519-827-9237