Dr. John McDougall on Vitamin Supplements

Hey guys, here is another video that I recommend watching to learn why taking vitamin supplements aren't best, all you have to do is eat a healthy diet and you will have most of your basis covered, even taking supplements for "insurance" or "back up" is not going to be the same thing or beneficial, also keep in mind that fortified foods like cereals and milks are the same thing as taking a supplement, yes they are usually the same lab created ingredients and not from the true food source, the only supplement that is recommend for everyone is B12, and Omega 3 DHA and EPA if you need it.

 Click Here for his short video on supplementing. And Click Here to read his newsletter that goes into more detail on what he talks about.

*Click Here to learn about B12. What I take.
* Click Here to learn about Omega 3.What I take.
*Click Here for my other post on why I don't take a multivitamin

*Also check out my other Eat Food Not A Pill posts for more info, and which foods contain what vitamin.

*To look up a food and find out what nutrients are in it you can check this site for the list of foods and information taken from the US nutritional data base- Click Here

Benefits of Pumpkin

I love pumpkin and can't wait to eat some in a smoothie or pie or well.. anything, Yum! I came across this and thought it was interesting enough to share :)

Click picture to enlarge :)

Why I Don't Take A Multivitamin

    A lot of people are asking me lately what vitamins they should take or why don't I just take a multivitamin, well the answer is simple, I get most of it from the food I eat. Most people are low in vitamin B12 regardless of diet type so I take that. I eat enough green vegetables, dark leafy greens, chia seeds, and ground flax seeds for omega 3 ALA but it's said we may not convert to DHA and EPA efficiently so I take an algae supplement for those. I believe diet is more important than we realize and what you put in your body plays a huge role in your health. Everybody has different nutritional needs, if you aren't sure or want to know where your at it's always a good idea to have your minerals and nutrient levels checked by a dietitian or someone that specializes in food and nutrition (I hear most doctors do not study nutrition). I'm not a dietitian and I'm not telling you what to eat, especially if you are on medication it's always good to consult one. I'm just telling you what I eat and do.

Some videos on why multivitamins may not be beneficial:
Multivitamin Supplements And Breast Cancer
Some Dietary Supplements May Be More Than A Waste Of Money

Also:
Click here for a basic requirement of nutrients.

Obviously there are a lot of other nutrients you should be considering especially if you are a woman and in certain times of life, for instance- folate/folic acid, this I get plenty of from foods, you also want to make sure you are not taking a lab created folic acid, natural folate is better for you.

   What I eat in a day changes depending on if I cooked something or not like soup or another dish, or what fruits and veggies are in season, sometimes I have oatmeal with raisins, it just depends. I like to bake so I might have a biscotti or a cookie but it's not as often as it used to be and I try to make it healthier. I'm always trying something new, for example I will be getting some hemp seeds soon, and I'm going to try some beets, I keep a variety of foods and have fun trying new things. My diet consists of mostly fruits, veggies, nuts/seeds, grains, beans/lentils and I drink mostly water, and tea, I try to stay away from most processed foods, fast food, and oils that have been extracted from their original form like walnut oil etc. I try to eat organic when possible to limit my intake of GMO and pesticides etc. I also exercise with cardio and weights.

*If you would like to know more about what I buy check out my Shopping Guide & List.

Chia Seeds

Well, I guess I'm the last person to find out how great Chia Seeds are, but hey better late than never right? And just in case you are also out of the loop here is some info on these wonderful tiny seeds:

Chia Seeds are an excellent source of omega-3 and fiber, when mixed with water they turn into a gel like substance and become soft, I like to use them for thickening up my smoothies. You don't have to rinse them first, you can add them directly to salads, energy bars, cereals, make a tapioca like pudding, or even use as an egg replacer! I found mine at a co-op, you can also find them at health food stores or online.

Click Here for more ways to use chia seeds!

More info about Chia Seeds.

Cinnamon, Ceylon (Say-lon)

      We all know cinnamon tastes great, studies show it has a beneficial effect on blood sugar, antibacterial and antifungal properties, and may lower cholesterol. Cinnamon is also a great source of manganese, dietary fiber, iron, and calcium. Apparently just smelling it helps brain activity, now I'm up for that I love the smell of cinnamon! (Pregnant women should avoid excessive amounts of cinnamon and shouldn't take it as a supplement.)
      Most people just think what you see is what you get, well I suppose it's true. But a lot of us don't know there are different kinds of cinnamon. I have discovered Ceylon Cinnamon is actually better for you, some call it "true cinnamon".  It does taste a lot better and smells wonderful! I came across this video about different types of cinnamon and found out most of what we get isn't all that healthy, you can find Ceylon Cinnamon at a co-op, health foods store, or online.

Video about types of Cinnamon

How do identify Ceylon Cinnamon

More info on the benefits of Cinnamon

Top 10

I found this website that has top 10 lists for fruits, veggies, and what foods contain which vitamins etc. It's very nice and a good resource! Check it out! :) Click Here

Can Folic Acid Be Harmful?

I'm always looking into nutrients, vitamins, the ingredients in supplements and which forms are the most health promoting and safe. Therefore I will start sharing with you things I've learned or come across. Here is a video I found to be helpful about Folic Acid and Folate:

Click Here

For those of you who would rather get Folic Acid from food Click Here for a list of foods, looks like an easy one to eat instead of supplementing.