PRODUCT OF THE WEEK

PRODUCT OF THE WEEK: Goji Berries are high in antioxidant activity as measured by an ORAC test - 25,000 plus per 100g. One 10g serve contains approximately the same amount of antioxidants of  1 banana, 1 head broccoli, 1 slice of watermelon & 1 carrot.
Goji berries are great for a snack on the run, tossed through a salad, added to your favourite fruit & nut mix, or stirred into yogurt or porridge (in winter).

Enjoy!

Genetic Roulette

Genetic Roulette unveils a world most of us have never seen. It raises alarming questions about GMOs, and we deserve answers.

This newly released documentary features commentary from a wide range of eminent physicians, scientists, policy makers and activists. Here is the trailer (2mins). Also on Youtube is a 17 mins version.
 

The ORAC Test

The ORAC Test is one of the most reliable ways to determine the potency of the antioxidants found in foods. This stands for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity- in other words, it looks at how much a particular food inhibits the activity of free radicals.
Of all known foods, cacao is the only food which does not lose its ORAC over significant periods of time. This makes cacao the MOST POTENT & MOST USABLE source of antioxidants found in any natural food.
Here is a short comparison of the ORAC score per 100g for some common foods (in descending order):
Unprocessed raw Cacao- ORAC 28,000                      Pomegranates- ORAC 3,307
Acai Berries- ORAC 18,5000                                       Raisins- ORAC 2,830
Dark Chocolate- ORAC 13,120                                    Blueberries- ORAC 2,400
Prunes- ORAC 5,770                                                    Garlic- ORAC 1,939
May be purchased in most health food stores and used in desserts, biscuit mixture, muffins, sprinkled over yogurt, ice cream, coffee or hot chocolate, smoothies etc.

Benzoates (210-213)

Benzoates are considered dangerous for asthmatics and people sensitive to Aspirin (a salicylate).
Sodium benzoate is indicated in Australia as 'Preservative 211' on ingredient lists, and is included in Sunkist, Diet Coke, Sprite, Pepsi Max and numerous other drinks, cordials and condiments. It is used to prevent mould in soft drinks.
 Recently research revealed that if manufacturers add Vitamin C to these drinks the benzoates react with the Vitamin C to produce benzene- an aggressive carcinogen. In addition to this, a landmark study published in The Lancet (U.K. journal), lend strong support for the case that these additives exacerbate hyperactive behaviours in young children.
As adults we also need to be aware that research indicates that sodium benzoate has the ability to deactivate parts of DNA and eventually causes diseases such as Parkinson's and cirrhosis.
Best not to include these products on a daily basis.
Add slices of fresh lemon &/or lime to your filtered water & chill- everyone in the family will enjoy this. Fresh mint leaves may also be added.

The Vitamin Water Deception

Recently, long spells of very hot weather have been forecast for Sth. Australia & Victoria, whilst here in Sth- East Queensland we are consistently experiencing around 30 plus degrees. Considering the importance of keeping our bodies well hydrated, particularly at this time of the year, I thought it would be a good idea to share this video clip on Vitamin Waters.

The Heart Foundation Tick

Since 1990 food manufactures have had the opportunity to earn the Heart Foundation tick of approval for their food products. Ready meal products are tested according to four main criteria-  300-350mg/100g or less Sodium, vegetables-75g/serve or more & fibre- 3g/serve or more. These meals are only allowed 2g saturated fat/100g or less; and 6g/serve or less - no partially hydrogenated fat or trans fat (0.2g/100g or less). The  number of Kj per serve was introduced in 2009  (ready meals 2200kj/ serve or less), as well as the requirement of 5g/serve or more of protein.

In  September,2011 The Sunday Telegraph published an article about the Heart Foundation tick. Here is an extract:
'In 2008, when The Sunday Telegraph revealed the Tick had been granted to pizza, pies and sausage rolls, the Heart Foundation accused the newspaper of attempting to damage its reputation.
But leading brand experts and health professionals said the Heart Foundation ruined their own brand by aligning with fast food five years ago.
"It has to damage the credibility of the heart brand," said University of Sydney business professor Charles Areni said.
And the fact McDonald's paid $300,000 a year to wear the healthy badge devalued the Tick's relevance, he said.
Dietitian Rosemary Stanton said the charity dropped its standards when it aligned with McDonald's and consumers today ignore the Tick.
One of the greatest criticisms of the Tick program is the secrecy around how a company earns one.
Over the past five years products such as Four'N Twenty meat pies, Ingham's herb and garlic turkey breast schnitzel and McDonald's McChicken burgers have worn the healthy badge.
Even a beef and bernaise pizza and cheese steak pizza won the endorsement.'
Although reducing kilojoules, fat,  and sodium , & having a required minimum percentage content for protein & fibre is highly desirable in such products, it's still a fair distance away from what should be categorised as a 'healthy choice'.
'The foundation this week severed ties with McDonald's and other fast food outlets -- a move brand experts described as essential to maintain any shred of credibility.'  The Sunday Telegraph, 25th Sept, 2011

The Nutri Grain debate

Nutri Grain cereal is one of those products which has been sold to Australian consumers as 'Iron-man food'. 'Eat this cereal & your children will grow up strong & healthy' is the dominant message of the advertisements. So lets look at the facts: a 1 cup serving of Nutri Grain contains 6.6g Protein. However, this serving size also contains far more sugar than protein- 9.6g. It is also very low in actual fibre (0.8g),  very high in sodium (144g) and contains 'barley malt extract' which is a form of MSG!

Not to mention the cost- $7.99 (805g); $5.99 ($5.99). Even if you buy it only when it is on 'special' I consider the price to be far too high for the possible (yet highly unlikely), real nutrient benefits to your body.
Fresh, seasonal fruit can be purchased for not only a much lower price but the benefits for your health in terms of the vitamin, mineral & fibre content are far higher.

I would highly recommend spending your hard earned money on nutrient rich, fresh, seasonal fruit from your local markets. Place these on your breakfast table for both the children & adults in your family rather than
energy dense/ nutrient poor processed cereals.