“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” said Benjamin Franklin.

Education and awareness are the best defense to prevent nutrition-related illnesses–obesity, diabetes, digestive problems–and live a healthy life.

Unfortunately, getting the right nutrition information can be daunting in the digital age. We are routinely bombarded with emails, videos, diet trends, TV ads, etc… There is always a new miracle product, or an endorsement of a discovery by a celebrity or pseudo-expert. It’s enough to make your head spin. So how do you know who’s telling the truth? We crafted a few tips on how to avoid diet scams to help you sift through the avalanche of online information.

A healthy lifestyle can be as simple as food and water. Everyone will tell you that hydration and proper nutrition are the foundation of good health. But there are no guidelines on how to achieve that goal. Sure, drinking water is easy; what if you don’t like water?

Balanced or Moderation

A balanced diet and “eating with moderation” are vague terms when it comes to nutrition. When you have a health condition to manage, it’s imperative to be specific and chose foods and food combinations that promote health and target the condition. Weight loss is a good start if you carry more pounds than you need, but it’s not necessarily the answer to tackle an autoimmune disease or even type 2 diabetes. As matter of fact, many people with type 2 diabetes are thin.

The answer is simple: always chose foods high in micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) and low in macronutrients (fats, carbohydrates, but adequate in proteins) and don’t forget fiber.

We cannot stress enough the importance of fiber for human digestion. But that’s not all fiber does. Did you know that fiber can help you reduce the risk of breast cancer? it eliminates excess estrogen from the body. Fiber also reduces the risk of colon cancer by nourishing your gut flora, thus keeping the integrity of the colon. Fiber also reduces cholesterol, promoting cardiovascular health.

A scientific study among the Adventist population called The Association Between Dietary Fiber and Incident Cases of Colon Polyps: The Adventist Health Study found that “persons who consumed low amounts of fiber, especially fiber contained in vegetables, had a higher risk of developing colon polyps.”

Did You Know?

• Potatoes are actually a healthful food, despite the high carbohydrates content
• The brain runs 100% on glucose and carbohydrates are the best way to obtain it
• The body does not store excess proteins
• Acid reflux can be a result of too little acid in the stomach
• Taking antacids can deplete you of minerals such as zinc, magnesium, iron, and calcium
• The best way to reduce your appetite is to be well nourished

In addition to teaching clients what it means to eat healthy, how to make the best food combinations for their health goals, Zizania is the only nutrition practice that takes clients on a grocery store tour to teach them to shop for the best quality produce, read labels and see behind the advertising—plus tips to do it all without spending hours in grocery stores.

Finally, we offer lifetime support. So when questions arise or when you’re unsure of what decision to make, you can always contact a Zizania nutritionist, even years after your program has ended. Because at Zizania we believe healthcare is about relationships between people.

Check our Facebook group Zizaniafamily Nutrition and join the Zizania family. It’s a healthy place to be.