While anxiety is commonly associated with mental and emotional states, research shows that our physical well-being plays a significant role in managing it. Healthy living practices can support both your body and mind, providing a solid foundation for emotional regulation.

Developing sustainable healthy eating habits can feel like a daunting task, especially with so many diets and trends competing for attention. However, lasting change comes from adopting habits that are practical and enjoyable. Here are three effective ways to cultivate healthy eating habits that stand the test of time.

Fiber is an unassuming nutrient that boasts a multitude of health benefits, however, a staggering 97% of people fall short of consuming enough fiber in their diets. In this blog we will delve into the importance of fiber, as well as how to incorporate more fiber into our diet.

In the pursuit of overall well-being, the link between our eating habits and mental health is an important aspect that is often overlooked. Beyond physical health, the foods we consume play a crucial role in nurturing our mental and emotional states. This blog explores the intricate relationship between dietary choices and mental well-being, shedding light on the impact of blood sugar, gut health, nutrient deficiencies, inflammation, and mindful eating.

Sugar, in the form of candy or other sweet treats, can offer a temporary sense of comfort and relief from emotional distress. The rapid release of dopamine, a "feel-good" neurotransmitter, can provide a brief escape from painful emotions and a way of coping with traumatic memories.

If you grew up with tacos that were stuffed with ground beef, cheese, sour cream, tomato, salsa and a few tiny pieces of lettuce in a hard corn shell, you are not alone. But if you are still eating tacos this way and have not tasted any of the hundreds of taco variations out there, you are missing out!

Staying on track with your nutrition can be challenging as a college or university student. For many, it is your first time away from home and both buying and cooking your own food. Add a full course load with regular classes, assignments, and exams alongside a part time job and it can be downright tricky to find time to eat, nevermind eat well! Below are 10 tips to help you to eat well and feel your best as a college student.

For most of us, it can be tricky to stick to a healthy diet during the summer months. We typically spend less time at home and the easiest snacks to bring along when at the beach, pool or park tend to come in packages and lack nutrition. Or, maybe you skip packing snacks all together and end up buying them when you are out. It happens, but it doesn’t need to be the norm! With a small amount of pre-planning, it is easy to maintain your healthy eating habits when on the go! Here are 10 of my favourite snacks to take along when I plan to spend the day at the beach with my family.

Most of us, at some point in our life, have engaged in emotional eating. This most often happens when we feel anxious, worried, stressed, sad, or nervous. Once in a while, this is not an issue, but if you are constantly eating in an attempt to mask your feelings it can be problematic. We often reach for food when we are experiencing these emotions because food can provide short term relief

Sugar tastes good, and like many people, you might consume much more of it than you should. Health Canada recommends that  individuals  should consume fewer than 25 grams of sugar per day, which is equivalent to 6 teaspoons. For reference, a can of pop contains 35 grams of sugar, and a tall Mocha Frappuccino contains 40 grams. It’s not hard to fathom how 25 grams of sugar can add up so quickly! 

Have you ever wondered if you should be taking vitamins or other supplements? If you are taking the right supplements? If perhaps you are taking too many, or the wrong supplements? Why are there so many different supplements? If there is a supplement out there that could help with your specific health concerns?

Being a father is not something you can simply learn in a book or at school. It is a role you are thrown into that changes and evolves over time. It is challenging, fun, exciting, testing and rewarding at the same time. Being a father means caring for your children and family, which starts by caring for your mental, emotional and physical self. Christy shares 10 ways to help you live and model a healthy lifestyle.

Being a caregiver is busy…to say the least! Time to yourself is precious and can be hard to come by. It probably feels like you live in your kitchen. Whether you enjoy cooking or not, odds are you could use a break. For this reason, we have put together 15 simple strategies to help you save time in the kitchen so you can spend more time focusing on yourself instead of waiting on others. Utilizing these time saving tips can also help you and your family to eat healthy, which is an important but overlooked aspect of self-care.

Are you or a family member looking for natural options to complement what you are doing with other health care practitioners to help manage the symptoms of ADHD? Christy de Jaegher shares some practical ways to change your diet in order to help mitigate ADHD symptoms.

A Canadian study conducted through the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine researched the correlation between family dinners, communication and mental health in 26,069 adolescents. They found a positive association between the frequency of family dinners and emotional wellbeing, prosocial behavior and life satisfaction.

If you have ever felt butterflies in your stomach or experienced nausea or other digestive issues when anxious, you likely have some idea of how thoughts and emotions can impact the gut.

Change is hard. It takes dedication, time and consistency to either develop a new habit or ditch an old one. Set yourself up for success by following these foolproof guidelines for setting “resolutions” that you will actually achieve!

You do not want to miss out on this delicious, nutrient-packed, festive eggnog pudding that is egg and dairy free and made with…tofu! Unlike the eggnog and pudding you typically find at the grocery store (full of sugar, inflammatory oils, additives, and questionable ingredients), this recipe is made of whole, unprocessed ingredients, is low in sugar and packed with protein, healthy fats and tons of nutrients. It is also one of the simplest dessert recipes you will ever make! It does take a few hours to set though, so be sure to make it in advance.

Staying healthy over the holidays, whether it be Thanksgiving or Christmas, can be challenging. These holidays are typically marked by an abundance of food. While it may not all be unhealthy, it is always plentiful with many indulgences, and is enough to throw your healthy eating habits out the window! While one indulgent meal is not necessarily of concern, it can set you off track.

Join me for two free webinars this fall where I will be providing crash courses in the fundamentals of a healthy diet, and reading and understanding food labels. Learn the basics of nutrition and healthy living so you can confidently make evidence-based healthy lifestyle choices and reach your health and wellness goals in a way that is both straightforward and sustainable!