Juicing 101

by Cheshire Que
September 3, 2013

Orange Juice

My late grandfather had colon cancer and his passing away was a wake-up call to me and my brother. I eat my fruits and veggies everyday. If these are unavailable, I take my supplements to make sure that I meet my daily vitamins, minerals and fiber requirements. My only brother, on the other hand, prefers to drink his veggies. Years ago, I used to watch him as he drank his canned vegetable juice over dinner. It looked disgusting so I asked him: “How does it taste like?” He replied: “Tastes like spaghetti sauce. It’s good!” I thought, yuck!

Is juicing healthy and beneficial? Yes and No

According to Jennifer K. Nelson, R.D., L.D., a Mayo Clinic nutritionist, there’s no sound scientific evidence that extracted juices are healthier than the juice you get by eating the fruit or vegetable itself.

Juicing can easily make your body absorb nutrients but it lacks fiber. Some juices contain more calories from added sugar and flavoring which could add to weight gain. Fruit juice has a higher glycemic index compared to a whole fruit. It rapidly increases your blood sugar level which could be a problem for people with Diabetes.

Juice Fast

Recently, juice fasting has been gaining much popularity. People try it for many reasons: detox, weight loss, antioxidants and so on. Last week, fitness coach Teem Partosa of SkyFitness Makati asked me: “My client wants to go on a juice fast. Can we still have the same workout program?” A juice fast can take from one to seven days. It is low caloric and does not contain much protein which is also needed to be replenished right after a workout. The amount of energy intake and output as well as medical condition should be carefully considered under the supervision of a health professional before undergoing juice fast and exercising to prevent any health problems. Weight loss after a juice fast will not be sustainable unless succeeded by a lifestyle change which includes proper food intake, increased physical activity and behavior modification. Prolonged juice fasting can also cause nutrient deficiencies.

Juice Right

Juicing can’t be all that bad. There are some practical reasons and health benefits we can get from it. If you don’t like eating fruits and vegetables, juicing can be a part of a healthy diet. Mixing a fresh apple and carrot with a teaspoon of honey over some ice cubes can do the trick and make you appreciate fresh produce more.

Retain the pulp – Use a blender instead of a juicer to get the health benefits of pulp or fiber from your fruits and vegetables.

Choose 100% – If you prefer to buy commercial juice products, choose 100% fruit and vegetable juices. It has no added sugars. Best options would be the ones with pulp and fortified with vitamins and minerals. Remember to read nutrition label, sodium content and practice portion control to avoid excessive intake.

Be Safe – To prevent bacterial growth and food poisoning, properly wash hands and use clean utensils in preparing your juices. Only prepare the amount of serving you can consume at one time to ensure freshness. Store at low temperature and consume right after or within a few hours.

Happy juicing!

For comments and suggestions: email [email protected] or visit www.cheshireque.com

Twitter: CheshireQue

Healthy is the New Sexy

by Cheshire Que Health Blog

Healthy is the New Sexy

When it comes to diet, would you choose something restrictive and tiresome or healthy and balanced while letting you enjoy it on the long haul? The choice is yours.

Charm your way to a healthy and sexier you with this newest and practical approach into losing weight: My Spa Diet. Pioneered by lifestyle and weight management consultant /US registered dietitian Cheshire Que, RND, RN, RD, www.myspadiet.com is the first online weight management program in the country that emphasizes a customized diet plan fit for a person’s lifestyle. Collaborating with registered nutritionist-dietitians, it provides a holistic approach on personalized way to meet nutrition needs while losing weight. The diet plan includes life giving foods, teaches smart eating habits and applicable exercise guidelines that considers four phases, pretty much the same concept of a spa: cleansing, detoxifying, rejuvenating, and balance.

Suffering from hormonal imbalance and thyroid problems at 25, Cheshire herself experienced a drastic weight problem. “It was challenging and crazy phase for a dietitian like me”, says Cheshire. “However, I took it as an opportunity to do intensive research; take seminars here and abroad to efficiently create a diet program to restore my health and achieve a healthy weight range which I managed to maintain all these years,” she concludes.

My Spa Diet applies a full-throttle psychology of nutrition and considers social aspect in losing weight that is not drastic, easy to apply, and flavorful menu plan that embraces all food groups but low in fat and high in fiber and nutrients. “It disciplines the body on smart eating, including the importance of hydration in the diet”, Cheshire adds.

By simply subscribing at $11.99 or about P500.00 monthly at My Spa Diet, it teaches clients to incorporate practical tips for gradual and sustainable weight loss that curbs craving for high-fat and high-sugar foods. By assessing the health status and calculating the body mass index (BMI)of a person, the subscriber will be guided with the correct portion serving for four weeks with several menu options that is just enough for a person’s daily recommended caloric intake. What’s more, this online diet plan teaches the art of portion control while letting the patient enjoy a variety of food whether at home or at a swanky restaurant with friends. Another practical tool is the food wheel which shows a number of healthy and delicious food choices. Planning meals are made easier with the online grocery list. Tired of rye bread for breakfast? Then check out other healthy alternatives or foods with added benefit or functional foods. The result is simply an exciting eating habit that will make you lose weight and sustain it!

And while a proper meal is important, hydration is also a huge part of My Spa Diet. “Restoring and maintaining a healthy fluid balance prevents muscle breakdown and enhances metabolism to efficiently burn energy thus aids in losing weight. It also rejuvenates the skin and keeps a clean digestive track. Aside from these, healthier food versions are commingled with aromathera-tea, or simply enjoying a daily cup of tea. Known to reduce risks of heart diseases, cancer, and an “oxidative stress” buster, there’s no reason why someone shouldn’t have a cup per day. Part of Cheshire’s healthy eating advocacy is to regularly include fiber in the diet and shares this tip, “Fiber is your friend when you are trying to lose weight. While insoluble fiber cleans your gut, functional or soluble fiber helps lower your blood cholesterol and control your blood glucose level, that’s why the fiber counter is a valuable tool in the site”, Cheshire adds. “Remember, to fully benefit from its rich detoxifying) properties, eat whole grains, wheat bread, vegetables, and moderate amounts of whole fruits to increase fiber intake,” she recommends.

When the My Spa Diet team came up with this special menu plan, they also had in mind people who suffer from lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, obesity, cancer, kidney, liver diseases, and a host of eating disorders. “Feeling sexy is not only about a shapely figure, but being healthy inside out. That’s why we always encourage taking care of your body and it’s never too late to kick start an improved and healthier lifestyle”, Cheshire advices:

“You are what you eat”? Its cliche, but it’s true. Eating better will do the body a world of good. Invest on eating habits that nourish and rejuvenate the body, give energy and help prevent lifestyle related diseases. Losing weight and being sexy is a very welcome bonus, but it should be the benefit of snapping out chronic diseases that should always be the main goal. Needless to say, a healthy body is a sexy body.

To know more about My Spa Diet, contact lifestyle and weight management consultant/US registered dietitian Cheshire Que RND, RN, RD. For appointments, text or call 0916-2743944 or email [email protected]. Check out as well www.myspadiet.com

Tag detox

Juicing 101