Why Some Vegans Stay Fat

You think that being a vegan would help you lose weight but this is not necessarily true. In general a plant based diet that does consist of whole foods can help you lose weight over the long term but the key words here are “whole foods.” Many vegans eat a lot of sugar and fat to make up for the lack of dairy and meat in their diets.

Consuming a low whole foods plant based diet will help you to lose weight and the best news is that the more you weight the quicker you will lose it once you switch to a vegan based diet that does not include things like so many refined carbohydrates. Many vegans eat and drink their nutritious zero calorie fruits and vegetables and then sabotage it all by eating a lot of oily, carb heavy sugars and starches.

Avoid Carbs and Sugar!

If you are going to be a vegan, the optimal diet is a whole foods, plant-based diet that does not contain a lot of carbs or sugar!

To lose weight you need to go on that strict vegetarian diet or you could turn into one of these fatter non meat eaters.   Some people become vegetarian and then load up on pasta and pastries made from refined grains. These are what have become to be known as the junk food vegans!   Even though they aren’t consuming meat they are consuming foods that are problematic for them and that might even cause them to gain weight. This is why you see so many heavier vegans around.

You can be as vegan as you wants but if you never take part in any type of physical activity you could be incredibly fat after all. You can still be a vegan and be fat and soft because you have not been exercising. Exercise in combination with the right diet is crucial as well, or you will simply be an overweight vegetarian.

The third reason you may not lose weight is because you have a genetic disposition to be overweight. If you were one of these individuals, who are becoming more and more common in all races across the world, then it would not take much of a lapse in diet to immediately cause an immediate gain in weight.

Keeping Weight Off Is A Lifestyle Choice

The point is that keeping weight off is not a gimmick nor is it ever going to be the result of simply staying off of meat dairy. . It has to be a long-term life style choice that includes exercise... Choosing a vegan diet is choosing health and dispensing with long-term pain like kidney problems, cancer, heart disease, and cancer and joint problems.

Vegans are quite prone to the psychological lows that come with gaining weight. They often blame their own bodies when it seems that “even the vegan diet” is not working. The next thing you know they are back in a vicious cycle of eating junk food in order to self-medicate for feelings of inferiority brought on by the condition of obesity itself!

For more information or to book a consultation about anti-aging, diet and weight loss programs or any health issue you may be experiencing, visit the Pinewood Natural Health Clinic website that has a list of full services and products at www.pinewood.ca or call our Toronto Office at  (416)-656- 8100.  We also have an office in Pickering, Ontario at (905)-427-0057. You can also email us at info@pinewoodhealth.ca and we would be happy to answer any question that you have about our holistic health services.

Top Ten Superfoods For Energy and Vitality

Superfoods are considered to be superior to ordinary foods because of their high nutritional content and low fat content. These are the foods that have numerous phytonutrients and special compounds that can help give you a bit of a boost during the day.  Feelings of fatigue, depression and other problems can be treated by consuming these foods. These are nutrient-dense foods that can also help people recovering from and illness to get better faster.

1. Bee Pollen

Bee pollen for human consumption

Bee pollen is approximately 40% protein. It is considered one of nature's most completely nourishing foods. It contains nearly all nutrients required by humans. About half of its protein is in the form of free amino acids that are ready to be sued directly by the body. Bee pollen contains as substantial amount of B12 and is a good source of the vitamin if you are vegan or vegetarian.  B12 helps us sustain energy over long periods of time. It is also helpful for asthma, allergies and arthritis; three health conditions that can really slow people down.

Bee Pollen looks like rolled  golden dust balls. These are crunchy and taste a bit sweet. You can eat bee pollen straight or sprinkle it on cereal or eat it with honey on toast.

2.   Maca

Maca is adaptogenic superfood that has been a staple food of the Peruvian Andes for centuries. Dried maca powder contains more than 10% protein, nearly 20 amino acids, and 7 essential amino acids. As a root crop, maca contains five times more protein than a potato and four times more fiber. It is not a complete protein but it contains many amino acids and the building blocks needed to create certain hormones. It is also rich in phosphorous, potassium, sulfur and iron and contains the B vitamins, C and E.

Maca, which is sold as a powder, has a very earthy taste with a nutty quality. Maca can be added to all kinds of smoothies, teas, nut milks, coffee or drunk as a hot beverage on its own. As an ingredient it also enhances desserts and treats.

3.  Mangosteen

Mangosteens, grown in East Asia are small shiny round deep-red to purple to black fruits about the size of a plum topped with a green stem with four green leaves. Inside the fruit is purple or red juice and segments of snow white, soft flesh.

Mangosteen is very high in Vitamin C providing about 12% of RDA per 100 grams with B vitamins, magnesium, copper and substances called xanothones that remedy arthritis, fibromyalgia and asthma.  Eating this fruit can also prevent mental degeneration and prevent cancer.

It is found in exotic fruit markets. It is best eaten raw or in a smoothie.

4. Spirulina

Spirulina is an edible cyanobacterium that if full two kinds of cyanobacteria: Arthrospira patensis and Arthrospira maxima. It is used as both a dietary supplement and as a whole food and it is available in tablet, flake and powder form. It has been marketed in cake form since the 1th century by Aztecs who called it techuitiati.

Spirulina is rich in gamma-lineolic acid and alpha-linoleic, which improve brain function and extend life. It also contains all of the B vitamins, C D, A, E and allot the minerals such as chromium, copper, calcium, iron magnesium, phosphorus, selenium, sodium and zinc.

Spirulina increases energy because it detoxifies it of heavy metals. It is also beneficial for the thyroid and contains all of the amino acids, which makes it one of the most efficient foods that you can eat.

It is best to consume it as a pre-mixed solution.

5.  Kiwi Fruit

Kiwis are full of antioxidants that help neutralize the free radicals that damage cells and lead to inflammation and cancer.  The high Vitamin C content helps prevent asthma, arteriosclerosis, osteoarthritis and colon cancer. Kiwi is high in Vitamin E, which helps lower cholesterol and boost immunity. Eating two to three Kiwi fruits a day can reduce the potential for blood clots and decrease triglycerides.

The high Vitamin C content also helps fight the effects of stress and aging.  The high magnesium content improves muscle and nerve function and helps boost energy levels.

It is best to eat it raw or blended in a smoothie.

6.  Tarragon

The herb tarragon has been found to have constituents in it that help calm the digestive system and increase its ability to assimilate nutrients. This is of great assistance to those who are older or are in recovery. The herb increases the appetite and a sense of well being. It also contains volatile oils that are helpful in allowing cells to purge waste.

Tarragon is an herb that is often used in French cooking to season vegetables and especially chicken.

7.  Passionfruit

Passion fruit is a tropical fruit that is about the size of an apple. It is red on the outside and filled with tiny golden green seeds.

Passionfruit is a superior source of Vitamin C, Vitamin A and potassium providing antioxidant protection for all of the organs of the body. The high potassium level regulates heart rate and blood pressure and creates feelings of vitality and energy.

8.   Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is contains short chained saturated fats called medium chain triglycerides or MCTs.  This type of oil lessens the strain on the pancreas, liver, and GI tract and helps us digest protein more easily.  It is also the most stable of the fatty acid sources.

Coconut oil promotes vitality by stabilizing blood sugar and hormones and stimulating the thyroid, liver and pancreas.

You can use coconut oil in most situations that you would normally use cooking oil.

9.  Papayas

Papayas are long pear shaped fruits with a rich orange flesh and black peppery tasting seeds. The enzymes in papaya have unique qualities that reduce inflammation and promote digestive health. This in turn leads to more energy.  The high levels of vitamin C and A in papaya also leads to a healthier immune system. This is also a fruit that has the ability to dissolve the dangerous plaques that can cause heart attacks or strokes on artery walls.

Papaya is best eaten raw or mixed into a smoothie.

10.  Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds are a source of zinc and also every available form of vitamin E including alpha-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol, delta-tocopherol, alpha-tocomonoenol, and gamma-tocomonoenol.  This makes pumpkin seeds a potent anti-aging, healing and disease fighting food that sharpens mental acuity and bestows a feeling of vitality. They are known for fighting cancer.

Pumpkin seed can be bought as a supplementary powder or as a roasted snack.

For more information or to book a consultation about anti-aging, diet and weight loss programs or any health issue you may be experiencing, visit the Pinewood Natural Health Clinic website that has a list of full services and products at www.pinewood.ca or call our Toronto Office at  (416)-656- 8100.  We also have an office in Pickering, Ontario at (905)-427-0057. You can also email us at info@pinewoodhealth.ca and we would be happy to answer any question that you have about our holistic health services.

A Hearty Raw Meal of Portabello Mushrooms and Yams

Eating raw is all the rage and it is absolutely one of the best things you can do to reduce inflammation in your body, boost your immune system and give your entire system a real life.  However eating raw in the colder months just seems all that more difficult because when it is cooler out we what something a bit chewier with some bulk to it. 

Here are two recipes that paired together create quite a hearty meal.


Portobello Steaks With Mashed Cauliflower

Serves 4

Steak marinade:

Portobello Mushrooms

8 big organic Portobello mushrooms, stems removed

balsamic vinegar

1 small yellow organic onion

olive oil

cayenne

salt

Mash:

1 organic cauliflower head, just the florets

2 tablespoons nutritional yeast

1 cup cashews, soaked

2 cloves garlic, minced

salt

pepper

fresh rosemary

Slice mushrooms and onion.  Mix ingredients for the steak marinade a bowl and marinate for two hours. Remove mushrooms and place on a big baking sheet. Dehydrated mushrooms n oven at 100 F for 2 hours.

Process food processor with all other ingredients until they are the consistency of mashed potatoes.   Serve side by side like steak and mashed potatoes.

Calories: 926   Fat: 63g Cholesterol: 0g Sodium: 37 mg Carb: 56g Dietary Fiber: 7g Sugars: 16g Protein: 100g.

Yam Noodles With Mushrooms

Serves 4

Toppings:

6 mushrooms

2 teaspoons sesame oil

3 teaspoons apple cider vinegar

Sauce:

3 tablespoons of nutritional yeast

2 tablespoon of pure maple syrup

1 tablespoon miso

1 tablespoon organic chickpea hummus

2 peeled garlic cloves

3 tablespoons mustard

water

sesame seeds

I yam, peeled

Julienne the yam using a spirooli or slice on a mandolin into long thin noodles. Put on a plate.

Slice the mushrooms thin and marinate in oil and apple cider. Blend together all of the ingredients for the sauce until smooth.

Toss sauce and noodles together and serve.

Calories: 130 Fat: 2g Cholesterol: 0g Sodium: 6mg Carb: 17g Dietary Fiber: 13g Sugars: 14g Protein: 2g.

For more information or to book a consultation about anti-aging, diet and weight loss programs or any health issue you may be experiencing, visit the Pinewood Natural Health Clinic website that has a list of full services and products at www.pinewood.ca or call our Toronto Office at  (416)-656- 8100.  We also have an office in Pickering, Ontario at (905)-427-0057. You can also email us at info@pinewoodhealth.ca and we would be happy to answer any question that you have about our holistic health services.