2022 May Articles Archives

Soup, glorious soup!

The best thing about winter, some say, is soup! Delicious soups are easy to make, inexpensive, and comforting. They also have a surprising number of health benefits:

Weight Control: Chilly weather winter foods are often of the “comfort” variety, which can mean they are delicious, high in calories, and packed with unhealthy ingredients. Soup is a healthy comfort food – it can satisfy your appetite for a long time and make it easier to say no to tempting, greasy foods. Because of the way digestion works with the various combinations of ingredients, soups keep hunger at bay longer.

Hydration: During winter, you may not realise when you become dehydrated because you aren’t overly hot or sweaty. Eating foods that have water in them like soup, can help you replenish your fluid levels easily.

Natural medicine: Soups packed with vegetables boost your health with their vitamins, fibre, and anti-inflammatory properties. Some cooked vegetables offer more nutrients than raw ones, like carrots which become higher in beta-carotene, or tomatoes which produce higher lycopene levels (good for strong bones and skin). Vegetables that are high in Vitamin C like broccoli, spinach, or potatoes, help your body to resist pathogens and boost your immunity. Hot chicken soup has been found to increase the flow of mucus and clear nasal passages better than plain hot water. It seems that chicken soup is not only good for the soul, but also for fighting winter colds and cases of flu.

Protein-rich: A protein-rich soup provides a nourishing well-rounded meal in itself. Even leafy greens like spinach as well as peas have a surprising amount of protein in them as do legumes which are also packed with iron and magnesium. Most soup broths are made with animal bones which contain a form of a protein called collagen. Collagen is promoted for its anti-ageing effects on skin and strengthening of joints and bones.

There is no need to pack on the kilos with greasy and unhealthy foods this winter! Look and feel good with easy, nutrient-packed soups to satisfy your taste buds, stomach, and pocket.

Here are some super soup and other healthy recipes compiled by LifeAssist dieticians.

See the Recipes

If you want to improve your health, reach out to LifeAssist for a personal consultation with a Registered Dietician or Biokineticist.

zara2022-05-02T09:01:31+00:00

The importance of social connections

It’s your birthday. Hundreds of Facebook “friends” have posted messages and your latest Instagram selfie has attracted dozens of compliments. Yet, you feel an ache that can only be described as loneliness.

Internet-related technologies give us the illusion of connectedness, but the fact is, the time and energy spent on social media may be at the expense of more rooted, genuinely supportive, and truly close relationships.

Research suggests that we ditch our phones and iPads regularly in favour of quality “real-time” with our families or friends who are like family. Here’s why:

Good for Health: Physical time with your tribe, as opposed to digitally, significantly reduces depression, anxiety, and stress. A study found that when people discuss their hardships with a friend beside them (instead of alone), they had lowered pulse and blood pressure readings. There’s even evidence that time socialising with those who care about you can improve heart, brain, hormonal, and immune health.

Good for skills: Being with your tribe can be difficult at times as when conflicts arise you can’t simply block them on social media. You need to work together to solve issues. This teaches you healthy interpersonal skills such as constructive debate and problem-solving.

Good for kids: On average, kids who spend quality time with family/role models, do better at school. Celebrating their strengths and helping them with difficult tasks in a warm, nurturing environment, reduces negative coping behaviours such as violence and substance abuse.

No time?

Unplug. Create technology-free zones so you can keep your focus on each other. You’ll be surprised how much time you have to connect without social media.

Weekly “dates.” It’s easy to get caught up in a busy schedule, hence the importance of setting a regular date. And it doesn’t have to cost! Start a puzzle, play a board game, go for walks or hikes, bake or cook a meal together, or simply sit around a campfire and talk about what’s happening in the lives of those who matter most.

If you need advice or support with building connection, please contact LifeAssist and chat to a counsellor.

zara2022-05-02T08:53:11+00:00

Vaping: The facts

Vaping has become a popular alternative to cigarette smoking, particularly among the youth.

What is Vaping?

E-cigarettes are battery-powered smoking devices. They have cartridges filled with a liquid that usually contains nicotine, flavourings, and chemicals. The liquid is heated into a vapour, which a smoker inhales; hence the term ‘vaping’.

How do e-Cigarettes work?

There are various kinds, but many people use the Juul. This e-cigarette looks like a flash drive and can be charged in a laptop’s USB port. It makes less smoke than other e-cigarettes, so teens use them to vape at home and school. The Juul pod’s nicotine levels are equal to a full pack of cigarettes.

Is vaping better than normal cigarettes?

The long-term effects of smoking cigarettes are scientifically proven to include an increased risk of stroke, heart disease, and lung cancer. Vaping hasn’t been around long enough for researchers to know exactly how it affects the body over decades, but early evidence shows serious lung damage in people who vape. Even nicotine-free e-juice contains a number of potentially toxic chemicals, such as base liquids and flavouring agents which also irritate the respiratory system, cause cell death, and inflammation, and harms blood vessels.

The bottom line is that vaping is not safe, with or without nicotine. Here’s why:

Toxins (poisons): The vapour made from e-cigarettes is not made of water; it contains harmful chemicals and fine particles that are inhaled into the lungs and exhaled into the environment.

Brain risks: Nicotine affects brain development, particularly in the youth, making it harder to learn and concentrate. Some brain changes are permanent and can affect mood and the ability to control impulses.

Unknown health effects: The long-term health consequences of vaping are not known; however, recent studies show serious lung damage in people who vape, and even some deaths.

Addictive: Vaping, like cigarettes, is addictive and studies show that vaping makes it likely that someone will try other tobacco products, such as regular cigarettes, cigars etc.

Inflammation: Vaping can lead to lung inflammation (irritation), affecting performance in sports.

Expensive: Vaping is not cheap. The cost of the cartridges adds up quickly.

If you need support to quit or need guidance on how to start a discussion with someone you care about, reach out to LifeAssist for professional counselling and health advice.

zara2022-05-02T08:37:27+00:00