HEALTH & WELLNESS S P E C I A L S E C T I O N
Diet
Nutrition
Clean eating focuses on the quality and type of food you eat – consuming
a variety of whole foods and avoiding processed foods containing trans fats,
preservatives, color additives, refined grains, and added sugars. How do you
navigate the clean eating options available to you? Use these tips below:
Genetically modified (GMO) vs. non-GMO – GMOs are living organisms
that have been altered in some way, with growing evidence linking them to health
problems. A Non-GMO label ensures that the product does not contain GMOs.
Best advice? This one is easy! ALWAYS go for non-GMO.
Locally sourced vs. organic – Organic foods are grown using environmentally
friendly agricultural methods and renewable resources, meeting the standards
verified by the USDA. Any animal products you buy, such as organic meat,
poultry, eggs and dairy products, will be hormone and antibiotic free. Organic
vegetables will be free of harmful pesticides and fertilizers made with synthetic
ingredients or bioengineering. Locally sourced organic options are even better,
allowing you to ask farmers directly about their practices.
Best advice? It’s best to buy locally sourced organic food whenever possible, but
when that’s not, stick to organic.
chest or upper abdomen, or it can make
swallowing and breathing hard to do.
• Hemorrhoids – Hemorrhoids are
inflamed blood vessels found at the end
of your digestive tract. Often painful
and itchy, they are caused by chronic
constipation, diarrhea, or a lack of fiber
in your diet. Seventy-five percent of
Americans over the age of 45 suffer
from hemorrhoids. Staying hydrated,
eating more fiber, or over-the-counter
creams may provide relief from
hemorrhoids.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) –
Affecting 15 percent of Americans,
IBS is characterized by stomach pain
or discomfort at least three times a
month for several months. Symptoms
vary widely with IBS, making it hard to
determine the exact cause. Treatment
focuses mostly on diet, eliminating
common trigger foods such as dairy,
alcohol, caffeine, artificial sweeteners
and beans. Doctors also recommend a
diet high in fiber and consumption of
probiotics found in yogurt.
Skin
Most likely, if you are unhealthy on the
inside, it will show on the outside. Your
skin often mirrors your body’s true overall
health, so a healthy diet, exercise, and
drinking lots of water will do wonders.
Continued on page 43 >
Wild vs. farm-raised – Wild fish are caught in the wild and feed on a natural
diet, but are often higher in mercury, and some fishing methods can harm the
ocean habitat. Farm-raised may have more contamination from toxic chemicals
and are prone to higher rates of bacteria and pesticides from crowded conditions.
Yet conditions for farmed fish are improving, with some being sustainably farmed.
Best advice? Make your decision based on the type of fish you are purchasing.
Your local fishmonger will be able to provide you with valuable insights.
SOUTH FAYETTE
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WINTER 2018
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