Vitamins and Minerals

Zinc Rich Foods For Vegetarians

Zinc is becoming increasingly known for its role in immunity, and zinc deficiencies have been linked to an impaired immune response. Some of the best sources of zinc are not suitable for a vegetarian or vegan diet, so I have compiled a list of some of the best zinc rich foods for vegetarians and vegans!

Ingredients for seedy peanut butter oatmeal cookies in white bowls

Ingredients for Seedy Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies: Peanut butter, honey, sunflower seeds, pepitas (pumpkin seeds), sesame seeds and rolled oats

Zinc is a mineral that we need in small amounts every day for optimal health. It has a role in normal growth and development and helps to keep our immune system strong. Now more than ever people are looking towards zinc and wanting to ensure they are getting enough of this important mineral. While most people can get enough by eating a varied diet, there are certain foods that are particularly good sources of zinc, and certain factors that can impact the availability of this nutrient….

Vitamin D Foods For Vegetarians

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Knowing the best vitamin D foods for vegetarians and how to get enough vitamin D on a plant-based diet is important for bone health, a healthy immune system, and may help to protect against some cancers. If you live in northern latitudes, we can’t rely solely on vitamin D from the sun. This post will help breakdown the importance of vitamin D, which foods contain vitamin D and how we can supplement.

Northern winters can result in a lack of vitamin D.

By now, most of us have heard of the importance of Vitamin D. Vitamin D plays an important role in the absorption of calcium (see post Getting Enough Calcium On A Dairy-Free Diet), and has the ability to decrease inflammation in the body (1). Vitamin D comes primarily from the sun, but in northern latitudes (37 degrees north) during the winter months, we just can’t get enough (2).

While there are some food sources of vitamin D, in the winter we actually can’t get enough vitamin D from food alone. The best food source of Vitamin D is oily fish, and while vitamin D foods for vegetarians can be limited there are some steps we can take to ensure we are getting enough.
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Bone Health and Calcium for Vegans

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There was a time when we didn’t expect to get our calcium from cows. Bone health and calcium for vegans is a topic that we should all be aware of as there are plenty of non-dairy calcium-rich foods out there, and you may be consuming more of them then you think. I’ve compiled a list of some of the top non-dairy calcium-rich foods to include in your diet and tips on how to maximize absorption for bone health.

What foods are high in calcium? Contrary to popular belief, calcium doesn’t only come from cows! Crazy huh? A lot of marketing money stemming from the Dairy Industry has led us to believe that dairy is the one and only superstar in the battle against osteoporosis. Whether you are a vegan, environmentalist, lactose intolerant or just love your green leafy vegetables, there are other dietary options for healthy bones. Here are my top tips for bone health and calcium for vegans.
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Raw Nori Stix Recipe – Is A Raw Food Diet For You?

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This Raw Nori Recipe is a plant-based, raw version of…. pepperoni sticks! That’s right! These nori rolls are filled with only whole-food goodness, and by using only a low heat they retain the maximum amount of nutrition! When does a Raw Food Diet have a place? Read on to find out more.

This post was originally posted on International Raw Food Day – July 11th (in 2013!!)! At the time it seemed raw food cafes and restaurants were popping up everywhere, and the food was delicious. Raw foodies claim that a raw food diet can increase energy levels with the promise of long-lasting health. As a Dietitian, I wanted to dig into this a little deeper. Regardless of the findings, one of my favourite eateries is Bliss Cafe in Victoria and this Raw Nori Recipe is straight from their non-cook book!
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How To Get Your Omega-3s For Vegetarians and Vegans

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Want to make sure you are getting enough omega-3 fatty acids on a plant-based diet? Omega-3s for vegetarians and vegans are harder to come by, but there are some dietary factors that we can control to help improve our access and the availability of this important nutrient.

Long dispelled are the myths of inadequate protein intake in vegetarian diets. We now know that a balanced and varied vegetarian diet, containing nuts, seeds, organic tofu, eggs, legumes, and quinoa will provide us with all our body needs. One uncertainty that continues to linger is whether or not a vegetarian diet can provide sufficient omega-3 fatty acids. I’ve outlined the recommended intake of plant-based omega-3s for vegetarians and vegans, and have included tips on how to maximize the availability of this important nutrient by the body.
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Chia vs Flax vs Hemp – Which One Is Healthier & More Sustainable?

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Chia vs Flax vs Hemp, all your questions about how these seeds measure up in terms of health and environmental sustainability answered. I’ve compared nutrient content including calcium, protein and omega-3s, as well as included a few of my favourite recipes!

Hemp Vegan Pate with Dill on White Plate

Hemp and Sunflower Seed Vegan Pate

Superfoods are big money. Promises of everlasting youth and renewed vitality, consumers happily spend the big bucks without further question. Some really are super, some are flops. Chia seeds, flaxseeds and hemp seeds have all made their mainstream supermarket debut over the last few years and as super as they all are, each of them has individual health properties that are as unique as their consumers are. Some are better suited to certain individuals, and some consumers like to factor in the environmental standpoint. Chia vs Flax vs Hemp – which one better for you?
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Top 10 Non-Dairy Calcium Sources [Vegan]

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Want to know how to get enough non-dairy calcium sources in your diet? Look no further. I have compiled my Top 10 Non-Dairy Calcium Sources to help make sure your bones are nice and healthy, without the use of dairy milk.

We all know that calcium is essential for good bone health. Since our kinder years, I’m sure we can all recite the 3 recommended servings of dairy per day. The problem with these recommendations is that it doesn’t take into account the fact that dairy, alongside beef, is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions (see my post For The Flexitarian – The Environmental Sustainability Of Eating Meat). If you are like me and struggle to get in your ‘3 recommended serves of dairy’, maybe its time to start looking at some non-dairy calcium sources to help meet our targets for bone health.
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How To Get Enough Zinc for Vegans and Vegetarians

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With 1 in 4 Canadian diets low in zinc, zinc deficiency is something that should be on everyone’s radar. Populations that are especially vulnerable to deficiency include vegans, vegetarians, kids, pregnant ladies and breastfeeding moms. I’ve included some top recommendations and tips on how to get enough zinc for vegans and vegetarians and anyone else who thinks they may be at risk.

Healthy Mayo-Free Coleslaw with Crunchy Almonds. Add almonds to your salad to increase the zinc.

The bioavailability of zinc from vegetarian and vegan diets is likely to be less than that of non-vegetarian diets. Plant foods rich in zinc, such as legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds, are also high in phytic acid, an inhibitor of zinc bioavailability (1). While vegans and vegetarians are more at risk for zinc deficiency, the wider Canadian population is also at risk, likely related to the depletion of this important mineral from our soils. Read on to find out more on how we can maximize our absorption of this important mineral….

What Are Antioxidants Good For – Protection From Free Radicals and Oxidative Stress

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We know that antioxidants are good but do we know what antioxidants are good for? I want to help break down what the benefits of antioxidants are, how they can protect us from free radicals and oxidative stress, and how we can get more of them into our diet.

Antioxidants – a term that is thrown loosely around in health food stores, grocery stores and pharmacies alike. But what exactly is an antioxidant? And what are they doing for me? I hope to shed some light into this insanely important area and help break it down so we can all have a good base core understanding of what these mean for our health.
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Health and Environmental Benefits of a Plant Based Diet | Yoga Retreat

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Content Updated March 2014

Ingredients for Healthy Coleslaw Recipe Shredded and Chopped in Bowl

Ingredients for coleslaw prepared and added to a salad bowl.

Last week I was grateful to be asked to speak at a local Yoga Retreat run by my friend and yoga teacher, Alexa Nether. The retreat was held at the beautiful Clarendon Forest Retreat just a 30-minute drive inland from Forster. There was a big focus on relaxation and restoring energy levels and aside from two daily yoga sessions and a nightly yoga nidra, there was delicious vegetarian fare prepared by a local legend.
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Vitamins and Minerals

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