What foods are YOU allergic to?
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The New York Times ran an opinion piece comparing the cost of a meal for four at McDonald's to feeding the same number of people by cooking at home.
Their findings?
You could feed your family fresh chicken, potatoes and salad for just under half the price. And an alternative option - pinto beans and rice with bacon - would cost even less.
Thoughts?
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Have you seen a specialist (or doctor) about your IBS, food allergies and/or digestive illness?
Did it help? What now?
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What allergy-friendly foods have you found to replace what you gave up?
Healthy Food Highlights!
-SPINACH
It may be green and leafy, but spinach is also the ultimate man food. This noted biceps builder is a rich source of plant-based omega-3s and folate, which help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and osteoporosis.
Spinach is also packed with lutein, a compound that fights age-related macular degeneration.
Aim for 1 cup fresh spinach or ½ cup cooked per day.
Now...who can recommend a recipe??
Help The Allergy Menu improve & get a free copy of their book!
The Allergy Menu has been awarded a government grant to take their online food allergy resources to the next level. But they need to hear what you want (and don't want) so they can deliver it!
Complete this very short online survey (link below) and receive a copy of their book "The Allergy Menu Essentials,
The Essential Guide to Cooking for Foodies with Allergies & Intolerances."
LINK to SURVEY: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Y95D36M
Worth a reminder!
There are several hundred potential causes of IBS, but most cases result from issues that fit into two major categories:
•Food Allergies and Intolerances
•Microbial Issues: including infections, bacterial imbalances, yeast, and parasites
Through proper testing you will be able to identify the exact cause or causes of your symptoms and live a life free of digestive problems. Contact us directly with questions at info@ibstreatmentcenter.com. It's what we do.
What do you cook with that helps digestion?
Any particular herbs or spices that you can recommend?
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Herbs for digestion:
ANISE
Anise is a tasty herb used in a variety of cooking recipes. A member of the parsley family, anise helps aid digestion and reduces gas. Like alfalfa, anise is a good source of phytoestrogens. It's also used by pregnant or breast feeding women to naturally promote breast milk production.
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Food allergies are a challenge, but there are plenty of great (and healthy) snacks out there.
What are YOUR FAVORITE snacks? Help others discover what they can eat!
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What do YOU eat for breakfast?
Recent studies show, that when eaten regularly, avocados can improve liver health and keep the liver flushing out toxins.
Rich in heart health omega 3 fatty acids—which also aid the liver, avocados also help the body produce glutathione.
Glutathione, which is also found in asparagus and spinach, is a super antioxidant and natural detoxifier that is often depleted in bodies under severe stress, by nutrient poor diets, pollution and medications.
See the study here:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2000/12/001219074822.htm
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Healthy Eating Tip:
GARLIC
Known as a beneficial food worldwide, garlic cleanses the blood, is a natural antiviral and antibiotic, and can lower blood pressure.
It also stimulates the liver and when sliced and cooked produces a detoxifying enzyme called allicin. Consuming garlic has been shown to increase the number of toxin-fighting white blood cells in your body.
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Just for fun - a beautiful image of vegetable and fruit patterns.
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Do you eat watercress?
A recent chemical analysis of watercress revealed that the beneficial effects are due to its generous content of vitamins A and vitamin C, and the minerals calcium and iron.
All leafy greens (spinach, watercress, kale, dandelion, etc.) are full of chlorophyll.
Chlorophyll rids the body of harmful environmental toxins from smog, heavy metals, herbicides, cleaning products and pesticides. Even adding fresh chopped parsley can aid in detoxification because it helps flush the kidneys.
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Do you cook with cumin?
A study published in the "Indian Journal of Medical Research" in 2004, found cumin useful for both dyspepsia and diarrhea.
The spice appears to stimulate the liver to secrete more bile, which aids in the breakdown of fats and the absorption of nutrients, leading to healthier digestion. In the study, cumin increased bile secretion by 71 percent.
Study finds that giving kids multiple courses of antibiotics when very young increases their risk of developing food allergies. Thoughts?
Read more:
http://ibstreatmentcenter.com/2013/03/do-early-antibiotics-lead-to-food-allergy-risk.html
Stomach acid is vital to good health.
It's the first major step in breaking down your food, which is critical to proper nutrition.
Learn more here:
http://ibstreatmentcenter.com/2013/03/stomach-acid-why-you-need-it-6.html
*Healthy Eating Tip - Beets!
A great detox food, beets are high in numerous important substances, like betaine and pectin.
They also assist the liver in cleaning out waste and help to improve overall health.
Try them grated raw, juiced, or baked to encourage the liver cells to remove toxins. The green, leafy beet tops can also be sautéed with garlic as a simple side dish for any meal.
Feel free to share your own tips and recipes with a comment!
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Do YOU suffer from heartburn?
Do you know the cause??
Read more:
http://ibstreatmentcenter.com/2013/03/9-common-causes-of-heartburn-2.html
*Health Tip*
There are several hundred potential causes of IBS, but most cases result from issues that fit into two major categories:
•Food Allergies and Intolerances
•Microbial Issues (infections, bacterial imbalances, yeast, & parasites)
There are other issues as well and since every patient is different it is essential to understand what is causing the IBS symptoms if you want to find an appropriate and ultimately successful treatment.
This starts with proper testing: http://ibstreatmentcenter.com/ibs/testing-for-ibs-triggers
Do you cook with turmeric?
Known for its powerful anti-inflammatory properties as well as it’s high levels of antioxidants, turmeric has been shown to increase the liver’s detoxification enzymes.
Easy ways to incorporate turmeric are to sprinkle it onto cooked eggs, over roasted vegetables, or into salad dressings.
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What's your favorite snack?
Healthy Diet Tip:
Foods such as tofu, soy milk, and edamame help fight heart disease when they replace fatty meats and cheeses, slashing saturated fat intake. Soy also contains heart-healthy polyunsaturated fats, a good amount of fiber, and some important vitamins.
However, don’t take soy supplements, which contain high and possibly dangerous amounts of isoflavones.
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The FDA is finally moving forward with their rule on the label "Gluten Free!"
In the rule, the FDA defines a product as “gluten free” if it does not contain the following: wheat, rye, barley, or any hybrid of these grains; ingredients such as wheat flour that have not been processed to remove gluten; or any item made up of more than 20 parts per million of gluten.
Read the article:
http://thehill.com/blogs/regwatch/healthcare/284929-gluten-free-labeling-rules-head-to-white-house
