Almost 60 percent of Canadians say they are making an effort to change their eating habits. Leaning towards more natural foods, we’re committed to eating less sugar, salt and fat, and are focusing more on fruit, vegetables, grains and lean protein. That’s good news for our long-term health. If you’re in charge of choosing recipes…

The global gluten-free market is projected to reach US$6.2 billion by 2018, with North America contributing about 59% of the share. Canada’s own gluten-free market is about $450 million per year. The demand for gluten-free products has seen tremendous growth over the past five years, in the ballpark of about 26%! Marketing experts predict a…

Regardless of age, a meal without protein is like macaroni without cheese – it’s simply incomplete. While appetites may dictate that soup or buttered toast is an appropriate meal for older adults, long-term care guideless rightfully recommend protein at every meal throughout the day. But is it enough protein? Here’s the latest news on protein…

Portobello mousse on truffled toast with pear and fennel compote. Sautéed shiitake and steak salad on a bed of microgreens. Crimini, arugula and Gruyère pizza. These delectable menu offerings have one thing in common: the mighty mushroom. Nutrient-rich and incredibly versatile, mushrooms make a wonderful addition to any menu. Once harvested in the wild, today’s…

We often hear about foods that are good for heart health, but rarely think about foods that enrich the brain. That’s a shame since what we eat can impact our ability to think clearly and combat age-related conditions such as dementia, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s. The right foods can also combat brain fog and can…

According to a 2008 survey conducted by the Canadian Council of Food and Nutrition, about 70 percent of Canadians say that they are influenced to select foods based on how much sodium they contain. Yet even with this high percentage of people claiming to be “salt conscious,” roughly 90 percent of Canadian men and 65…

While conditions such as high cholesterol and diabetes are often treated with pharmaceuticals, there is a new push in a medical community to consider lifestyle changes – such as diet and exercise – before prescribing drugs. Two documents that highlight this philosophy are the newly published 2012 Update of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society Guidelines for…

Nope, not cool appetizers. We’re talking about the most helpful, time-saving and useful downloadable phone applications (apps) for smartphones such as the Blackberry and iPhone. All of these foodie apps are available online at the Blackberry App store, the Apple App store, Android Market and/or the iTunes store. CSPI Chemical Cuisine Database What is it?:…

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, it is predicted that one in every three Canadians will be 55 or older by the year 2021. As we get older, so does the risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease. This puts a heavy burden on health care costs. The good news is…

If you've been in a grocery store or read a restaurant menu lately, you've seen the proliferation of gluten-free foods. From rice-based pizza dough to quinoa pilaf, gluten-free has hit the mainstream. You may also be getting an increased number of requests from clients to offer gluten-free items on your menu.