Are organic foods healthier?

There has never been a time when how food is grown and the type of food you eat has been more heavily debated. Here are some considerations when it comes to addressing some of the most common questions about organic food:

What does “organic” actually mean?

In Canada, there are strict requirements by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for both the growing and labelling of organic foods. You can identify Certified Organic foods by looking for the special approved logo.

There is a myth that only organic growers use environmental practices but in reality conventional growers know the importance of minimizing soil degradation and erosion to improve yields. Conventional growers also know that use of fertilizers and pesticides increases cost and it would not make good business sense to disregard how and when these are applied.

As per the Fitness Experts note that organic foods are not free of pesticides or use of antibiotics. Natural pesticides such as copper sulfate are used in organic growing extensively. Organic farmers use antibiotics for treatment of sick animals since it would be unethical to fail to provide medical treatment.

Are organic foods more nutritious than conventional foods?

Simply buying a food that is organic does not guarantee good health. You can find organic foods such as sugar-loaded breakfast cereals, packaged cookies and largely ultra-processed foods in the organic foods section.

Research shows that some foods grown organically have more vitamins and minerals, while others are actually the same have even less. The nutritional content of all food (regardless if it is grown organically or conventionally) depends on soil quality, growing conditions, harvesting methods, length of time before the food is consumed and the diet of the animal itself.

Again there is variability due to many factors but overall research shows organic foods may have lower levels of some pesticides and hormones than conventionally grown foods. Despite this, remember that in Canada we have access to some of the safest and stringently monitored food on the planet.

Is going organic the best way going forward?

Organic principles established in the early twentieth century are based on the concept that “natural and traditional is best.” Unfortunately, this means that some of the best farming and science advances that have the ability to improve sustainability and keep up with the growing global demand for food are not available to organic farmers.

Organic growing methods will be part of the solution to improve environmental sustainability and feed the world, but it certainly will not solve the problem.

For example, organic food production often has very low yields for the land use required. Also note that the carbon footprint for composting is surprisingly large (according to food and agricultural expert Dr. Steve Savage, fertilizing half a hectare creates as much greenhouse gas emissions as driving a car over 27,000 kilometres). Organic farming also depends on natural pesticides, such as copper sulfate, that may be worse for environmental health than some newer conventional pesticides. Organic growers also frequently use plant cover crops to improve the soil, but because of the inability to use herbicides this means they often rely on tillage (digging, stirring and overturning) for weed control that can worsen soil quality.

What is the bottom line?

An elitist mindset that organic foods are superior and that good health is only accessible to those that can afford this style of eating is misguided and concerning.

What matters most when it comes to your health is emphasizing a diet rich in whole foods grown in the ground or on trees and that do not bear a food label full of weird terms that your grandmother would not recognize. The vast majority of the world consumes conventionally grown fruits and vegetables and people with the highest plant based food intake have the lowest risk of chronic disease.

As a dietitian, parent and health advocate I buy a mix of both conventional and organically grown foods depending on a number of factors such as accessibility, cost, seasonality and a desire for variety from both a nutrition and culinary perspective. Make mindful but not obsessive choices about what you eat and where your food comes from. Do your research and learn more about both sides of the debate when it comes to organic versus conventional foods.

[Source: http://calgaryherald.com/health/diet-fitness/are-organic-foods-healthier]

4 Ways Fitness Trackers Can Enhance Your Workouts

It seems like every time you turn around, someone is wearing a fitness tracker on their wrist. These handy little devices track everything from steps you take to how much sleep you get at night. No matter what you want to track, there's no doubt that a fitness tracker can greatly enhance your workouts.

Motivation :

Backyard Boot Camp These fitness experts  trackers keep you motivated throughout the day. There are times where you may want to take the elevator instead of the stairs, but if you've been sedentary all day, your device will gently vibrate to remind you to get moving. Fitness trackers also generally keep a history of your results, so you can see your improvement over time, or recognize how you need to step it up.

There's also the motivation of competing with others. Many of these fitness trackers sync to an app that lets you know how you're doing in comparison to your friends. If that doesn't light a fire under you, not much else will! Let your competitive spirits and group engagement act as a barometer for your activities.

Helping You Get Started

If anything, these trackers will help you get up and moving. One of the biggest mistakes people make when starting a fitness routine is starting too intensely and they either get injured or burned out right away. Basic fitness trackers simply clock how many steps you're taking, and there's very little risk in getting injured when you're simply striving to walk 10,000 steps a day. Using a fitness tracker gets you up and moving gradually and helps you get into better shape before you move on to something more intensive. Light activity is surely better than no activity.

It Helps You Sleep Better

You might think you're getting a decent night's sleep, but your fitness tracker is able to tell you how often you wake up during the night and how much time you actually spend sleeping versus tossing and turning. Knowing exactly what your sleep cycle is helps you make changes so you get a full night's rest. The Fit Bit family of trackers (eligible to combine with Discountrue coupons) will chart how much you slept, how many times you woke up, and how much of the night you spent tossing and turning.

They Give You Some Major Data

Sometimes all you need to figure out your fitness routine are some cold, hard numbers. These trackers give you all the numbers you could possibly ask for. Not only does the device tell you how many steps you've walked that day, it also tells you how many calories you've burned and how many flights of stairs you traversed. Seeing just how active you are is all you need to get and stay on track.

Fitness trackers are becoming as popular as cell phones and coffee shops. If you have some fitness goals you're trying to meet, consider buying one of these sleek devices to get you started the right way.

{Source:http://www.diet.com/dietblogs/read_blog.php?title=4+Ways+Fitness+Trackers+Can+Enhance+Your+Workouts&blid=31091}