Author Cathy Biase Categories Blog, Cancer Coach, Food & Nutrition, Recipes Posted on 0 Comments

Three Must Eat Breakfast Foods

Do you love your breakfast?  Do you have a short list of “go-to” recipes?  Do you need a bit of inspiration to start eating breakfast again?

If so, read on!

Getting some protein at each meal can help with blood sugar management, metabolism and weight loss.  This is because protein helps you feel fuller longer and uses up a bunch of calories to absorb and metabolize it.  So I’m going to show you how to get the protein, as well as some veggies and healthy fats for your soon-to-be favourite new “go-to” breakfasts.

Breakfast Food #1: Eggs

Eggs are the “quintessential” breakfast food.  And for good reason!

No, I’m not talking about processed egg whites in a carton.  I mean actual whole “eggs”. 

Egg whites are mostly protein while the yolks are the real nutritional powerhouses.  Those yolks contain vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and healthy fats.

Eggs have been shown to help you feel full, keep you feeling fuller longer, and help to stabilize blood sugar and insulin.

Not to mention how easy it is to boil a bunch of eggs and keep them in the fridge for a “grab and go” breakfast when you’re running short on time.

And…nope the cholesterol in eggs is not associated with an increased risk of arterial or heart diseases. 

One thing to consider is to try to prevent cooking the yolks at too high of a temperature because that can cause some of the cholesterol to become oxidized.  It’s the oxidized cholesterol that’s heart unhealthy.

Breakfast Food #2: Nuts and/or Seeds

Nuts and seeds contain protein, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and fiber.  Nuts and/or seeds would make a great contribution to breakfast.

And I know you won’t be fooled by “candied” nuts, sweetened nut/seed butters, or chia “cereals” with added sugars – you know I’m talking about the real, whole, unsweetened food here.

Nuts and seeds are also the ultimate fast food if you’re running late in the mornings.  Grab a small handful of almonds, walnuts, or pumpkin seeds as you’re running out the door to start your day!

Not to mention how easy it is to add a spoonful of nut/seed butter into your morning breakfast smoothie.

Hint: If you like a creamy latte in the mornings try making one with nut or seed butter.  Just add your regular hot tea and a tablespoon or two of a creamy nut or seed butter into your blender & blend until frothy. 

Breakfast Food #3: Veggies

Yes, you already know you really should get protein at every meal including breakfast; but this also applies to veggies.  You know I would be remiss to not recommend veggies at every meal, right? 

Veggies are powerhouses of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytochemicals, fiber, and water.  You can’t go wrong adding them into every single meal of the day so if you don’t already you should definitely try them for breakfast! 

And no, you don’t need to have a salad or roasted veggies for breakfast if you don’t want to but you totally can!  You wouldn’t be breaking any “official” breakfast rules or anything like that.

Adding some protein to leftover veggies is a great combination for any meal.  Including breakfast.

I’ve included a delicious recipe below for you to try (and customize) for your next breakfast.

Recipe (Eggs & Veggies): Veggie Omelet

Serves 1

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon coconut oil
  • 1 or 2 eggs (how hungry are you?)
  • ¼ cup veggies (grated zucchini and/or sliced mushrooms and/or diced peppers)
  • dash salt, pepper and/or turmeric

Directions

  1. Add coconut oil to a frying pan and melt on low-medium heat (cast-iron pans are preferred).
  2. In the meantime grab a bowl and beat the egg(s) with your vegetables of choice and the spices.
  3. Tilt pan to ensure the bottom is covered with the melted oil.  Pour egg mixture into pan and lightly fry the eggs without stirring.
  4. When the bottom is lightly done flip over in one side and cook until white is no longer runny.

Serve & Enjoy!

Tip:  Substitute grated, sliced, or diced portion of your favourite vegetable.  Try grated carrots, chopped broccoli or diced tomato.

References:

http://www.precisionnutrition.com/eggs-worse-than-fast-food

http://www.precisionnutrition.com/encyclopedia/food/eggs/

https://authoritynutrition.com/eating-healthy-eggs/

https://authoritynutrition.com/12-best-foods-to-eat-in-morning/

 

Author avisha Categories Blog, Cancer Coaching, Food & Nutrition Posted on 0 Comments

Eating Certain Nuts may Fight Cancer

Nuts as a whole offer a good source of essential fatty acids, protein and fiber as well as vitamins and minerals. Unless allergies are a concern, they are always a component of my dietary recommendations.

Nature has provided nuts, as well as seeds and legumes, with defense mechanisms intended to allow them to grow until maturity. Enzyme inhibitors and phytic acids are 2 such mechanisms that can strain digestion and cause malabsorption of nutrients. Soaking nuts, as well as seeds and legumes allows for the breakdown of the phytic acids as well as encouraging the production of beneficial enzymes thus rendering them much more bioavailable to us.

The process is an easy one. Cover nuts with good quality water and let sit, covered for 12-24 hours. After elapsed time, rinse nuts well and they are ready to be consumed or used in recipes. You can also dehydrate them to remove the added moisture.

As a disease targeting food, specific types of nuts appear to offer nutrient profiles more beneficial for impeding cancer growth than their common counterparts. In the video  that I have posted here, courtesy of NutritionFacts.org, Michael McGregor M.D. (@nutrition_facts) provides research that indicates that the stars in the nut family for fighting cancer are walnuts and pecans.

#nuts #cancer #nutrition

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Author avisha Categories Blog Posted on 0 Comments

It’s that Chestnut time of year!

Ah the smell of roasted chestnuts! It’s a tradition that awakens the Christmas senses. Chestnuts are not like most of their tree nut counterparts. Most nuts are low in carbohydrates and higher in protein and fats. These little morsel packets however are higher in complex carbohydrates then their tree nut relatives. They contain approximately 45 grams per 3-ounce serving, which equates to about 3 chestnuts.

Chestnuts contain both soluble and insoluble fiber making them a nice addition for gut health. They contain the minerals manganese, potassium, copper, phosphorus, magnesium and iron. Looking at their vitamin content, it’s mainly vitamin C, but they also contain vitamin B6, thiamin, folate, and riboflavin.

The process of roasting the chestnut is to release the sugar content thereby sweetening its flavour.

Roasted Chestnuts

  • Preheat your oven to 425F/220C.
  • Start by wiping the chestnuts off with a damp towel. Then on a cutting board, with the flat side of the nut down, cut an X in to the chestnut. This will allow the steam to escape.
  • Place the cut chestnuts in the oven on a baking tray and allow to cook for approximately 30 minutes.
  • You will be able to tell that they are done when the shell pops open and the chestnut is a nice golden brown colour.

Put a bowlful in the middle of your table allowing everyone to smack and peel their own. It’s a big part of the pleasure of eating them!