Why Artificial Sweeteners Are a No-no

artificial sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners actually fuel weight gain

Sugar – I can’t resist it, no matter how hard I try. An incurable sweet tooth has sabotaged many of us when it comes to healthy weight loss. While it’s tempting to swap out sugar for low calorie artificial sweeteners to keep that oh-so-irresistible taste, it’s not worth it, promise. Research suggests that artificial sweeteners actually fuel weight gain rather than prevent it.*

Here’s the thing about sweetness: your body uses it to predict how many calories you’re eating. Artificial sweeteners give your body that sweet kick without the corresponding calories, and that throws off the whole relationship between flavor and calories. They only get you halfway there – to your body, it’s like winning the lottery, but never getting any money. This can lead to a few things: increased appetite, weight gain, and reduced metabolism.[1] And just to rub it in, artificial sweeteners encourage sugar cravings and sugar dependence.[2] *

On the other hand, the calorie content in natural sweeteners can actually help keep you from overeating, according to research.[3] Opt for natural sweeteners such as maple syrup, honey, coconut sugar, raw cane sugar, and fruit juice.

Clearly, artificial sweeteners are off the menu – and there are more reasons than just weight loss to avoid these ingredients. But that doesn’t mean it’s open season on sugar! We’ve all taken a ride on the blood sugar roller coaster before, and sugar highs inevitably lead to sugar crashes. * Not to worry – these sweet solutions will satisfy, the healthy way.

If you’re a cream and two-splendas kinda gal

Switch back to sugar. Yep. Make it raw cane sugar if you like, but even straight up white sugar is better than the artificial stuff. For the more experimental among us, honey goes great with your morning cuppa.

If you can’t get through the day without a diet soda

Craving a sweet drink could mean your blood sugar is out of balance.* Add a protein-rich snack to your mid-morning routine, and skip the soda in favor of an energizing green juice, easy on the fruit.

If you want to sweeten a smoothie

Instead of adding artificial sweeteners, add a date, a pear, or a banana. Include PGX® in your smoothies for a nutrient-rich, fiber-full snack.

If your oatmeal is blah

And let’s face it, that’s just the way oatmeal is. Fiber or no fiber, it needs a little something to help it down. Try dried fruit and a drizzle of maple syrup – a little goes a long way. Maple syrup is still a natural sweetener, but it’s packed with bonus minerals.

If you just need a sweet fix

The conventional wisdom says, eat a piece of fruit. But no one craving a sugary snack wants to hear that. And an apple just won’t cut it, am I right? Try dressing that apple up with peanut butter – but make sure it’s no sugar added. Peanut butter is naturally sweet, plus it’s packed with protein.

But really, you just need a sweet fix

Hey, it happens. And when it does, I always go for a square or two of dark chocolate. Ok, sometimes three. A little indulgence (especially if it’s naturally sweetened!) is a part of any healthy diet.

*Note: Drink additional water (8 fl. oz.) after ingesting PGX. If you are taking medications, take one hour prior to or two hours after taking PGX.

 

* This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

[1] Swithers, S.E., Davidson, T.L. (2008). A role for sweet taste: Calorie predictive relations in energy regulation by rats. Behavioral Neuroscience, 122:1.

[2] Yang, Q. (2010). Gain weight by “going diet?” Artificial sweeteners and the neurobiology of sugar cravings: Neuroscience 2010. The Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine83(2), 101–108.

[3] Yang, Q. (2010). Gain weight by “going diet?” Artificial sweeteners and the neurobiology of sugar cravings: Neuroscience 2010. The Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine83(2), 101–108.

 

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Berry Power: Keep your joints and muscles ready for action

berries pwer workout

Benefits of Berries

It’s hard to beat the colors, flavors, and amazing health benefits of berries! Whether you favor cranberries, strawberries, bilberries, or even Saskatoon berries, these little powerhouses can help keep your muscles and joints ready for action. Here are four reasons to add berries to your spring menu.

  1. Muscle recovery. Researchers at Massey University in New Zealand found that athletes who drank a blueberry smoothie before and after exercising needed less time for their muscles to recover.[1] It turns out that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of blueberries helps restore muscle strength faster, making back to back training sessions easier.*
  2. Maintain Healthy Joints . Thanks to their high seed count, raspberries provide 461 mg of joint-friendly omega-3 and -6 polyunsaturated fatty acids per cup.[2] Polyphenols in other berries, including Saskatoons, cherries, and blueberries, can help support healthy joint function.*
  3. Muscle cramps. When your diet is low in potassium, calcium, or magnesium, you’re more susceptible to muscle cramps. A regular dose of berries can help prevent such cramps by replenishing key minerals. For example, one cup of blackberries delivers 233 mg of potassium, 29 mg of magnesium, and 42 mg of calcium.2
  4. Oxidative stress. Whether it’s due to intense bouts of exercise, your environment, or natural aging, your cells deal with oxidative stress every day. Thankfully berries are loaded with antioxidants that help protect your muscles, joints, and many other tissues from the unstable free radicals that cause oxidative stress.*

Add berries and PGX® Granules to your next smoothie for a filling nutrient rich treat! Leave your muscle and joint-friendly tips in the comments section below.

berries

* This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

[1] McLeay, Yanita et al. “Effects of New Zealand Blueberry Consumption Recovery from Eccentric Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage.” Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 9.19 (2012): Web. 15 April 2015. [2] USDA. “National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference Release 27.” Agricultural Research Service. Web. 15 April 2015.

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Seven Sneaky Exercises for People Who Hate the Gym

dog running

Hate the gym?

If you’re anything like me, the idea of going to a gym crowded with fitness fanatics is enough to make you break out in a cold sweat rather than a healthy, exercise induced glow. So, if gyms aren’t your thing, or if you face barriers in terms of mobility, finance, comfort and safety, what else can you do to stay active and healthy?

One of the best ways to stay active without actively thinking about exercise is to build physical work into your daily routine. To do that, here are seven sneaky exercises for people who hate the gym.

  1. Garden!

Now the sun is out and spring is here, this is the perfect time to dig over flower beds, pull up weeds, and do a dash of hoeing. Year-round, there’s always garden and yard work to do, be it pruning, planting, or raking up leaves. An hour in the garden can get the heart rate up and help keep you limber, and all while you synthesise some vitamin D and commune with nature.

  1. Take the Stairs

If you live in an apartment building, work in a high-rise office, take subways or otherwise encounter the choice between stairs, elevators and escalators, take the time to take the stairs. You’ll likely get to your front door just as quickly, and you’ll be supporting your health and the environment at the same time.

  1. Walk a Dog

If you have the time, love, and inclination to give a forever home to a dog in need, head on over to the local shelter and adopt. You and your new best friend will soon be exploring the neighbourhood on long walks that, if they’re anything like my walks with my pup, are a little like interval training (run, stop, sniff the fire hydrant, run again!). Can’t commit to a new family member for the rest of their life? Sign up as a volunteer dog-walker at the local shelter instead, or offer to take a friend’s dog for a walk.

  1. Wrestle the Kids!

Most kids are bundles of energy, so combine family time with exercise by play-wrestling, having a game of chase, playing an interactive video game, or having an impromptu kitchen dance party. You’ll be improving your fitness, strengthening those laughter muscles, and teaching your kids that exercise can be fun!

  1. Volunteer

Finding time to exercise can sometimes feel like it necessitates a choice between charitable work and personal fitness goals. Combine the two by volunteering with a local organisation that help kids and adults with mobility barriers to engage in physical activity. There’s probably a club near you that needs people to help take kids to swimming lessons, on nature walks, or to interpretative dance classes. Or, see if a local seniors’ home or community centre needs people to help with activities or manual labour, such as grounds-keeping.

  1. Get a Standing Desk

Office workers tend to spend around 75% of their day sitting, Fortunately, research shows that people who switch between a standing and sitting workspace can actually increase productivity and concentration, as well as improve their overall health and wellbeing. In one study, people who spent a week switching every half hour between working standing up and sitting down (using an adjustable workstation) felt less tired, compared to people who sat down all day at work.

  1. Sexercise!

The last suggestion in this list of seven sneaky exercises is the one you’re probably going to like the most: sex. Regular sex can help you and your relationship(s) stay in shape, depending on what you and your partner(s) get up to.

In an article published in the open access journal PLoS One in 2013, Julie Frappier and colleagues reported on their study looking at energy expenditure during sexual activity in young healthy, heterosexual couples in Montreal. They found that, on average, men expended 4.2 kcal/min (an average of 101 kCal per sex session), while women expended 3.1 kCal/min (69.1 kCal in total). The researchers concluded that sex could be considered, in some cases, to be a moderate form of exercise equivalent to about a 25-30 minute workout.

Anyone keen to make the most of their bedroom workout might consider incorporating planks, bridge, pull-ups, and a little zumba music.

See, exercise needn’t be a dull, solitary activity!

 

References

Frappier, J., Toupin, I., Levy, J.J., Aubertin-Leheudre, M., Karelis, A.D. (2013). Energy Expenditure during Sexual Activity in Young Healthy Couples. PLoS ONE 8(10): e79342.

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Recipe: Make a Healthy Sundae!

healthy sundae

A healthy sundae recipe?

There’s nothing like the sweeter things in life. A piece of rich dark chocolate can remind you why life is worth living, and there’s no better way to conjure summer than in a slice of pie. But dessert is best served without a side of guilt – and we see no reason why a little indulgence should get in the way of your healthy lifestyle (and vice versa!). In fact, constantly depriving yourself of treats can actually make you more likely to abandon your diet or binge eat. Believe it or not, it’s possible to have your cake and eat it, too, with some simple food swaps.

 

Try these 6 healthy takes on the classic ice cream sundae:

Base – Sundaes are built around ice cream. Try swapping it out for coconut ice cream, frozen yogurt, homemade banana ice cream, or something else entirely. What I love to do: slice a pear in half, remove the core, poach it for 15 minutes, then sandwich a square of dark chocolate between the two halves to melt. Top with a small scoop of ice cream (or not) for a healthy treat so rich and indulgent your taste buds will do a double take.

 

Fruit – From raspberries to golden berries, there’s an antioxidant-rich superfood out there for your sundae. Add dried fruit for a concentrated burst of flavor or make your own fruit sauce with no added sugar for a simple superfood sundae.

 

Sprinkles – Nuts and seeds will add substance, protein, and a wonderful crunch to your dessert. Mix and match your favorite raw nuts with other toppings – think pecans with fresh cherries, or hazelnuts with roasted peaches. Pretty soon you’ll have forgotten that ice cream was ever a part of the occasion (kidding – we all know that’s impossible!). We also love adding coconut curls and cacao nibs for a superfood crunch.

 

Extras – This might not sound like the tastiest tip, but topping your sundae with a little chia, hempseed, or PGX granules will it out by adding fibre, which in turn will help your body handle the extra sugar and even help you feel full sooner. To take this from good advice to irresistible addition, toss flaxseeds in a drizzle of maple syrup and dehydrate on low temperature. Whole flaxseeds give you fibre – grind them to unlock even more nutrients.

 

Spices – A hint of vanilla bean, some fragrant all spice, or a dash of cinnamon – spices are great ways to add flavor without adding calories. Cinnamon especially is known for its ability to regulate blood sugar levels already within the normal range, so it’s a great addition to any sweet treat.*

 

Sauces – Let’s face it, when it comes to sundaes, ice cream is just a (delicious) vehicle for chocolate sauce and caramel. Look for healthy versions of these decadent toppings – like cacao nibs, or melted high quality organic dark chocolate. You can do amazing things with dates – like make your own caramel or fudge sauce.

 

Healthy Caramel Sauce

½ cup dates

½ cup almond, cashew, or coconut milk (or regular milk)

¼ tsp vanilla extract

pinch of salt

1 ½ tbsp. cocoa powder (for fudge sauce)

 

Blend equal parts dates and milk of choice (for this recipe, ½ cup of each, but you can easily adjust to make more or less – this is a very forgiving recipe) with vanilla extract and pinch of salt.

Transfer to a saucepan and heat on low for 5-10 minutes, until it reduces to half the original volume (about ½ a cup).

If you’re going for straight caramel sauce, you’re ready to go. If it’s fudge sauce you’re looking for, stir in cocoa powder.

Serving suggestion: Drizzle warm over ice cream, fresh fruit, oatmeal, or yogurt and top with chopped nuts.

Looking for a healthy precursor to your sundae? Explore the PGX recipe page for yummy options to suit any time of day.

 

* This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

 

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More Delicious Smoothie Recipes

smoothie delicious

On-the-go

The smoothie – a convenient on-the-go breakfast, filling mid-day snack, or post-workout recovery fuel. When done right, a smoothie can boost your intake of protein, fibre, and antioxidants while helping you meet the recommended 7 to 10 daily servings of vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables.
The sky is the limit when it comes to healthy smoothie ingredient. Yogurt, tofu, almond milk, kefir, beans, or nut butters can rev-up the protein content, while berries, sweet potatoes, squash, or leafy greens provide a wholesome boost in carbohydrates and antioxidants. For a healthy supply of omega-3 fatty acids, toss in a tablespoon of ground flaxseed, walnuts, or chia seeds.
No matter what ingredients you choose, include PGX* to kick the fibre content up a notch and ensure that your smoothie is healthy, filling, and satisfying. Try one of these popular smoothies for a nutritious treat.

Strawberry Balsamic Shake

Ingredients:
2 scoops of Very Strawberry SlimStyles Meal Replacement Drink Mix
½ tsp balsamic vinegar
500 mL of water

Procedure:
1. Measure out liquid into a shaker or blender cup.
2. Add 2 scoops of Very Strawberry SlimStyles Meal Replacement Drink Mix.
3. Secure lid and shake vigorously or blend until ingredients are mixed well.

Nutrition Information:
Calories: 243
Carbohydrates: 19 g (4 g fibre, 4 g sugar)
Fat: 7 g
Protein: 25 g
Sodium: 671 mg

Sweet Spinach Smoothie

Ingredients:
1 scoop of PGX Satisfast Dark Chocolate Vegan Protein
2 cups of spinach
1 banana
355 mL (1 ½ cup) of water

Procedure:
1. Measure out liquid into a blender cup.
2. Add spinach and banana to liquid.
3. Add 1 scoop of PGX Satisfast Dark Chocolate Vegan Protein.
4. Secure lid and blend until ingredients are mixed well.

Nutrition Information:
Calories: 239
Carbohydrates: 36 g (7 g fibre, 16 g sugar)
Fat: 1 g
Protein: 23 g
Sodium: 258 g

Tropical Cucumber Smoothie

cucumber

Ingredients:
2.5 g of PGX Granules
1 cup of kiwi (approximately 3 kiwis)
½ cup of cucumber (approximately 1/3 of an English cucumber)
½ cup of pineapples
355 mL (1 ½ cup) of water

Procedure:
1. Measure out liquid into a blender cup.
2. Add kiwi, cucumber, and pineapple to liquid.
3. Add PGX into blender (or blend ingredients first and stir in PGX right before drinking).
4. Secure lid and blend until ingredients are mixed well.

Nutrition Information:
Calories: 173
Carbohydrates: 44 g (5 g fibre, 18 g sugar)
Fat: 1 g
Protein: 2 g
Sodium: 58 mg

We would love to hear what kind of smoothies you like. Tell us your favourite smoothie recipe in the comments section bellow.

*Drink additional water (8 fl. oz.) after ingesting PGX®. If you are taking medications, take one hour prior to or two hours after taking PGX®.

 

 

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