One of the incorrect assumptions about people who work in nutrition and health is that we are always “strict” and can’t truly enjoy vices or have a good time! This comes up a lot for me when I am out for dinner with friends, going out for drinks or going to a movie! Well, confession time: I have eaten movie theatre popcorn before! However, it is true that I generally won’t order popcorn when I go to the movies. Also, there are definitely times when I am sitting in a dark theatre surrounded by the smells of butter and salt and the sounds of crunching and popping, that I have a moment of nutritional judgment. However, there are still ways to “have your cake and eat it too” when it comes to movie theatre popcorn!  READ MORE

Contains no MSG! Sound familiar? I know some people might think that this advertisement means its preservative free. Well folks, I’ve got bad news: monosodium glutamate or what I like to call, a ‘slow poison’, is a little trickster and fools many with its alias names. Let’s find out how this slow poison hides in those food labels and what it can do to our health.  READ MORE

To salt or not to salt… that is the question. Many are under the impression that salt is bad for our health. However, the fact is that it actually contains essential trace minerals necessary for many metabolic functions in the body. Salt varies from different sources, so which salt is best? Let’s undress this issue to find out the benefits of sodium, which salt looks good naked, and how to spot the big troublemakers that may be lurking in your cupboard.  READ MORE

Let’s face it. Our food is not the only victim of misleading advertising. The world of commercial toothpaste is another perfect example of how labeling can be very deceiving and harmful to human health. Do you or any of your friends, family and co-workers use commercial toothpaste such as Colgate or Crest? If so, keep reading. When you see what these products look like naked, you may be shocked.  READ MORE

Mascara is the magic wand of the cosmetic industry and one of the most used cosmetic accessories in the world of makeup. Mascara creates focus on the eyes by giving long, thicker, fuller, voluminous lashes. Who wouldn’t want flirty peeps!

The problem is that most commercial mascaras are filled with synthetic dyes and minerals that cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, and can be carcinogenic. We all knew beauty can be intoxicating, but who knew beauty was so toxic. Yikes!  READ MORE

Many people enjoy a cold glass of creamy milk, but not everyone can drink it – either because they are lactose intolerant, sensitive to it or may avoid it for other health reasons. Lactose is the sugar found in milk products. People who are lactose intolerant are missing an enzyme called lactase that is responsible for breaking down the sugar. The lactose is then able to get into the colon undigested and cause gas, bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal cramping. According to the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation, this is a condition that affects over 7 million Canadians.  READ MORE

Salsa is a staple food at just about every party because everyone loves it. It is something that is really easy just to pick up at the grocery store without thinking twice. But have you ever looked at the ingredients to figure out exactly what is in that jar of spicy tomato goodness?  READ MORE

The other day I was walking through the grocery store in my neighbourhood and I was pleasantly surprised to see so many gluten-free food options. For people who need to be gluten-free, these food products appeared to be an incredible alternative. From bread and cereals to cookies, waffles, and wraps, the options were many. With so many new gluten-free products coming to market it makes you wonder, are more people requiring gluten-free foods, is this just a health fad, are these gluten-free foods healthier or are they healthy at all? Let’s strip away the confusion and undress this issue.  READ MORE

Do you have an aunt named Jemima who lives in your fridge/cupboard and enjoys slathering herself all over your waffles and pancakes? If so, you may want to consider sending her away to live with someone else. In this article I want to undress a popular table syrup, Aunt Jemima, and compare it to the all-natural wonders of pure maple syrup. There is a HUGE difference. Let’s find out what it is.  READ MORE

Mothers Milk is the perfect food. It symbolizes the connection between mother and child. Cow’s milk is also considered an excellent food due to its high quantities of calcium and protein. But is it really? Studies show that countries that consume the highest amount of dairy also have the highest incidence of osteoporosis. Furthermore, depending on a person’s condition or symptoms, naturopathic doctors or nutritionists may suggest that they stop consuming milk and dairy products as part of an elimination diet.  READ MORE