The cold weather is here and it’s here to stay, so what better way to warm yourself up than with a hearty soup! This red lentil and spinach soup is not only tasty but healthy with loads of nutrients such as iron, fibre, folate, protein, vitamin A and more. Fibre from the spinach, and protein from the lentils will keep you full, while the spices will give you a burst of flavour in your mouth! Super easy to make as well!
Ingredients:
1 onion, diced
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp turmeric
½ tsp red chili powder
½ inch ginger, chopped (or ½ tsp ginger paste)
1 garlic clove, chopped (or ½ tsp garlic paste)
2 cups (60g) fresh or frozen spinach
1 cup ( 200g) red lentils, rinsed
2 cups (500ml) water or vegetable broth (adjust for thickness)
Follow 3 Easy Steps:
Place diced onion, frozen or fresh spinach and lentils into a large pot.
Add water or vegetable broth. Then add all the spices, along with ginger and garlic.
Cook on medium heat for 30 minutes or until cooked. For a pressure cooker, cook for 15 minutes.
After a cold and windy weekend, I for one need a BREAK 😂. I saw the weather forecast for the rest of the week and knew that I’d need something spicy and full of protein to get me through until Friday. Hence, the Spicy Ginger and Vegetable Tofu Stir Fry was born! It’s a simply beautiful and filling recipe that makes my mouth water just thinking about it. With the right balance of grains, protein, and colourful veggies, why not secretly prepare this in your kitchen at night when everyone is asleep and share it with no one other than your future self? Some things just aren’t meant to be shared!
Serves 4
Ingredients:
1 ½ cups brown rice
2 tbsp peanut or canola oil
14 ounces very firm tofu
2 large green onions, chopped
1 coloured bell pepper (e.g., orange pepper), sliced
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 inches (5 cm) of ginger, grated
7 thai chilli peppers, finely chopped
1 ½ cups of baby spinach
½ small red cabbage, sliced
1 tbsp chilli powder
½ cup of sesame seeds
Instructions:
Prepare tofu by placing on a plate and drying with a paper towel. Leave one paper towel and a heavy pan on top to flatten the tofu out and make it easier to cut into smaller pieces.
Take this time to prepare your rice according to package instructions.
Cut your flattened tofu into small pieces
Get ready to sauté your ingredients by placing a large pan or wok on your stovetop. Set to medium-high heat.
Add oil to pan and wait until it has heated up. Slowly add garlic and ginger and wait 2 minutes before adding all other ingredients except tofu and spinach. Stir.
After 3 minutes has passed, carefully add cut tofu into your pan. Continue to stir and ensure that the tofu pieces are turned over frequently for an even bake.
Remove pan from heat and top with spinach and sesame seeds. Serve with brown rice and enjoy ☺
To know what fluoride is and why our water is fluoridated, check out our last Fact Friday post here. Today’s post reviews the current research on whether drinking fluoridated water will affect a child’s IQ.
A recent Canadian study looked at the association between consumption of fluoride by pregnant women and their child’s IQ. From 601 mother-child pairs in six cities, they looked at how much fluoride the mothers consumed, how much was in their urine, and then tested the child’s IQ at age three [1]. To simplify, what they found was a slight decrease in IQ when the mother’s urine had a bit more fluoride a. This was only the case for boys, not girls. However the child’s IQ (regardless of sex) slightly decreased when the mother’s daily fluoride intake was higher b.
So does this mean I should avoid fluoride while pregnant?
In the realm of research, we investigate to add to our knowledge. While this study presents that there is a potential association, we cannot prove that it is definitely true or that there is a risk with just one study.
This study has some limitations:
Some key measurements were off – fluoride intake did not match urinary fluoride, i.e. we don’t know exactly how much fluoride the mothers were consuming to make a conclusion.
The decrease in IQ only affected the boys –it is very unclear why fluoride consumption would not affect girl’s IQ as it did in the boys, although similar studies did not find a difference in sex as they did.
Previous studies had fluoride levels way above acceptable limitsin Canada – these studies took place in regions where water fluoride concentrations are well above the guideline (1.5mg/L) [2]c.
High fluoride in 3 urine samples ≠ exposure to baby –three urinary samples from the mother do not reflect the overall exposure of fluoride to the fetus over the whole pregnancy.
They did not take into account different ways of intaking fluoride: As mentioned, fluoride is present in toothpaste, mouthwash, some bottled water, and food i.e. measurements were off.
Conclusion:
Though we can’t make conclusions based on one study, we can continually review what level of fluoridation is best for us. Based on years of research, we know that drinking optimally fluoridated tap water in Canada is safe, improves oral health and is better for the environment than bottled water!
a Results: With an increase of 1mg/L of maternal urinary fluoride they found an associated decrease of 4.49 points in their child’s IQ, but only when the child was a boy, and not in girls.
b When mother’s daily fluoride intake increased by 1 mg, they found an associated decrease of 3.66 points in their child’s IQ (regardless of sex).
c The researchers try to back up their results by quoting studies that have observed a similar association. But these studies took place in regions where water fluoride concentrations are well above the guideline of 1.5mg/L (the highest acceptable amount in Canada), while the study conducted in Mexico did not report a concrete fluoride value at all [3].
Please be aware that these are general guidelines. Nutrition and intake varies by age, sex, height, activity, being pregnant or breastfeeding, and medical conditions. For more information or to sit with one of our dietitians for an individualised nutrition counselling session, please contact us at amananutrition@gmail.com or visit ourContact Us page to book your first appointment.
Until next time,
Almas-Sadaf Shaikh, PMDip, RD
References:
[1] Green R, Lanphear B, Hornung R, et al. Association Between Maternal Fluoride Exposure During Pregnancy and IQ Scores in Offspring in Canada. JAMA Pediatr. Published online August 19, 2019. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2019.1729.
[3] Bashash, M., Thomas, D., Hu, H., Angeles Martinez-Mier, E., Sanchez, B. N., Basu, N., … & Liu, Y. (2017). Prenatal fluoride exposure and cognitive outcomes in children at 4 and 6–12 years of age in Mexico. Environmental health perspectives, 125(9), 097017.
This colourful mouth watering dish is a great way for you (and your kids!) to get some vegetables, protein, iron, vitamin A, & C! This recipe will give you all three macronutrients (protein, carbs and fat) in one. It’s super easy and the gorgeous colours match the fall season!
in a large skillet, heat 1 tbsp of canola oil on medium-high heat and sauté the onions until softened.
Add minced garlic or garlic paste, and sauté for 1 minute.
Add the ground beef and mix together. Season with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook on medium heat for 10-15 minutes.
Meanwhile, slice the top of the peppers off and remove the inner membranes and seeds.
In a separate pot, boil water and place the cut peppers inside for 3-4 mins until they’re a bit soft. (This cuts down baking time in the oven). Drain well and place upright in baking dish.
Once meat is cooked, add the tomato sauce and corn. Let it simmer for another 10 minutes until reduced.
Now stuff each pepper with the filling, and top it with mozzarella cheese.
Bake at 350°F in the oven for 15-20 minutes!
*Want a vegetarian version? Use TVP (soy protein) instead of beef, or black beans and quinoa!*
As the daylight hours begin to dwindle and the cold weather approaches, I for one gravitate towards more simple recipes that don’t require too much of my energy. You know, the ones where I don’t need to stick something in the oven for about 40 minutes and twiddle my thumbs while I wait for it to cool (😂). Warm Vegetable Chili is just one of those recipes that won’t sacrifice speed for nutrition – this perfect mix of protein, fibre, and veggies is an excellent addition to your autumn repertoire. Bon appétit!
You will need:
1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
1 1/2 cups (375 ml) frozen vegetables
1 ½ tsp of garlic and ginger paste
14 oz (398 ml) red kidney beans
14 oz (398 ml) black beans
5.5 oz (156 ml) tomato paste
28 oz (796 ml) chopped tomatoes
1 tsp (5 ml) turmeric
1/2 tbsp (7 ml) chili powder
1/2 tsp (2 ml) paprika
1/2 tsp (2 ml) vinegar
¼ cup (60 ml) freshly chopped coriander
Grated marble cheddar cheese
Corn chips
Instructions:
Sauté vegetables and garlic paste in a pan with olive oil on medium heat.
Drain and rinse red kidney beans and black turtle beans using a large colander. Add to pan and stir.
Add the rest of your ingredients with the exception of cilantro. Allow for mixture to simmer for 25 minutes.
Remove mixture from heat and allow to slightly cool. Garnish with coriander.
Serve on table with bowls of grated cheese and corn chips. Enjoy!
With autumn finally here and the leaves changing colour, why not cozy up on the couch with a bowl of quinoa that’s as red and orange as the season itself? This recipe is chock full of protein, vitamin C, folate, and fibre. The best part? The balance of protein and healthy carbs makes it a wonderful meal item choice, so be generous and share this goodness with family and friends 😉
You will need:
1 cup of quinoa, uncooked
1 cup of canned black beans, drained and rinsed.
1 cup of red peppers, chopped
1 cup of sweet corn
1 cup of grape tomatoes, halved
½ cup of green onion, chopped
½ tbsp lime juice
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
Instructions:
Add quinoa and 2 cups of water to a small pot.
Cook quinoa over medium-high heat until it comes to a boil.
Quickly lower heat and let simmer for 10 minutes. Drain any excess fluid and place the remaining quinoa in a large bowl.
Add drained and rinsed black beans, red peppers, sweet corn, grape tomatoes, and green onion to quinoa. Stir with large wooden spoon to combine ingredients together well.
Prepare vinaigrette by combining lime juice, olive oil, and salt in a very small bowl. Whisk and add to the other ingredients.
What is fluoride? Is it safe? Why is our water fluoridated? Find out in today’s Fact Friday.
What is fluoride?
You may have heard of this element way back in science class. Well fluoride is a mineral, and it is found in food, water, air, soil, and also found in toothpaste and mouthwash [1].
Why is water fluoridated in Canada?
Water has been fluoridated in Canada for over 70 years to prevent our teeth from decaying [2]. Registered Dental Hygienist Zohra Chhiboo explains that “fluoride helps in remineralization, desensitization and prevention of decay for teeth. Fluoridated water to an optimal level, is beneficial for children and adults as it’s a natural, safe and effective way to give exposure to these benefits”. The provincial ministry of environment regulates how much fluoride is in our water [3].
*Note: Speak to a dental professional for more information on fluoride and your dental health!*
Is bottled water a better choice?
As mentioned, water that has optimal amounts of fluoride is shown to improve oral health and prevent cavities. But not all bottled water has fluoride. Therefore, try drinking more tap water or use it when cooking. (It’s also much better for the environment! Yes, climate change is real).
Are there any side effects from drinking fluoridated water?
There are two known side effects of having too much fluoride: dental fluorosis and skeletal fluorosis. The first condition only happens when you’ve had too much fluoride as a child (for ex. accidentally swallowing toothpaste), and as a result, your adult teeth have white or brown spots [3]. Skeletal fluorosis happens when you’ve had excessive amounts of fluoride daily, for a long time, and causes bones and joints to become hard [1].
Fortunately in Canada, the levels of fluoride in our water and other products are regulated and limited to be kept low [1]. And therefore some of these conditions become more and more rare.
What about if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?
Health Canada states that other than fluorosis there aren’t any health conditions associated with fluoride, and that it is safe to have while pregnant or breastfeeding [1]. They do suggest to check if your infant formula has fluoride in case you add drinking water to it that has more than the guideline (1.5mg/L). In these infant formulas, they recommend using water with less fluoride.
Stay tuned for our upcoming post where we will review current research on whether drinking fluoridated water will affect a child’s IQ!
Conclusion:
Based on years of research, we know that drinking optimally fluoridated tap water in Canada is safe, improves oral health and is better for the environment than bottled water! So grab that reusable water bottle and fill it with some fresh tap water!
Please be aware that these are general guidelines. Nutrition and intake varies by age, sex, height, activity, being pregnant or breastfeeding, and medical conditions. For more information or to sit with one of our dietitians for an individualised nutrition counselling session, please contact us at amananutrition@gmail.com or visit ourContact Us page to book your first appointment.
Did you know that your body is mostly made up of water? There’s a reason for that!
Water is used for:
Digestion
Removing wastes
Transporting nutrients
Metabolism
Regulating your body temperature and blood pressure
Helping to keep your skin, joints, and organs healthy [1]
Do I really need 8 cups a day?
Healthy adults generally require up to 9-12 cups of fluid a day (depending on your sex, age, activity level, and even the weather) [1].
Note: Fluid is not just water, but can be food and drinks that contain water such as milk, tea, soup, etc.
People at risk:
Certain groups of people are at higher risk of becoming dehydrated:
The elderly
Young children and infants
Athletes
People who work outdoors
Indicators of dehydration:
Your body loses fluids during exercise and in hot conditions through sweat, so it’s important to replenish/restore these losses by drinking water throughout the day. Indicators that your body is already dehydrated and needs water include:
Feeling thirsty
Dark urine
Not urinating very much
Feeling dizzy
Delirium (mostly in the elderly)
Dry skin and lips
Can sugar-sweetened beverages (like juice, pop, and chocolate milk) give me the fluid I need?
Sugary drinks definitely do contain water, but the amount of sugar (and in the case of pop, the acid too) makes water the best choice to stay hydrated. Limiting sugar in your diet has lots of positive effects on your health, and avoiding pop (even diet ones!) can save your teeth from erosion.
Will caffeine make me dehydrated?
Try to limit your caffeine intake to less than 3 cups a day (400mg of caffeine/day) [4]. This is the amount that research has shown that does not cause your body to be dehydrated or make more urine (especially if you drink caffeine regularly).
Tips to stay hydrated:
Keep a reusable water bottle handy
Have a cup of water when you wake up and go to bed
Add fun flavours to your water like cucumber, herbs, lemon, etc
Have a glass of water with meals
Drink one glass of water with medication
Drink when you feel thirsty
Track your intake with apps
Be sure to check out our Recipes for fun infused water ideas to help you stay hydrated!
*Please be aware that these are general guidelines. Nutrition and intake varies by age, sex, height, activity, being pregnant or breastfeeding, and medical conditions. For more information or to sit with one of our dietitians for an individualised nutrition counselling session, please contact us at amananutrition@gmail.com or visit our Contact Us page to book your first appointment.
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