Written by: Ei-Xia Mussai , Feb 2024 Walking down the aisle of the grocery store, you’ve likely seen products mention that they are non-GMO certified or contain non-GMO ingredients. But what does that mean? Are these products better or safer than those that contain GMOs? The debate between the benefits of eating non-GMO versus GMO products has been long standing and can be pretty confusing. Read on as we shed some light on the matter.   What are GMOs and non-GMOs? Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are living organisms such as plants or animals that have had their genetic mat ..read more

Written by: Ei-Xia Mussai  Odds are that you or someone that you know has come across conflicting claims over the health effects of carbohydrates, also known as carbs. For decades, this nutrient has been the center of debate regarding the push to cut them out or keep them in the diet. These diets are what we call fad diets and should be explored with caution. Carbohydrates are an essential nutrient for our body, and we’re here to tell you why and how you can enjoy carbs as part of a nutritious, balanced diet.  Carbs are the body’s primary source of energy When we eat carbohydra ..read more

Written by: Ei-Xia Mussai  Choosing the right foods to feed ourselves and our loved ones can feel daunting when there’s a food allergy involved. So many packaged products in the grocery store seem to contain allergens such as milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, or soy. Soy-containing products can be particularly confusing, especially when considering ingredients not directly containing soybean, like soy lecithin. How can we be sure that what we are eating is safe? Let’s take a look at what expert sources have to say about soy products and allergies.    What products contain soy? Soy ..read more

Written by: Yara Al Khouli, November 2023  When you hear the word “dietitian”, do you picture a white-coated professional in a sterile clinic, helping you eat well while you’re sick? Or do you imagine a fitness professional at the gym, helping you sculpt your body to perfection? But have you ever thought of a dietitian working in a food company? As you may know, dietitians in the clinical setting or in the gym can play a crucial role in bridging the gap between clients and their goals. By counseling clients and guiding them toward tailored nutritional goals, dietitians can help peopl ..read more

Written by: Caitlin Hier, October 2023  How we taste our food is controlled through biological mechanisms such as taste receptors on the tongue (Gravina et al., 2013). There are 5 tastes; sweet, bitter, sour, salty and umami. Umami flavour is of greatest interest when discussing yeast extracts. However, first, let us discuss what yeast extract is and how it relates to the flavour and taste of our food.    What is yeast extract and how is it used as a flavouring agent? Yeasts are microscopic unicellular fungi that are often used in food production and cooking in multiple for ..read more

What waste are you producing? Your household waste can range from banana peels to aerosol cans to cleaning products. An important category of waste that is a growing concern is food packaging waste, which includes plastic containers, utensils, and bags. Understandably, the creation of plastic and packaging has provided abundant convenience to our day-to-day lives as they offer both protection and easy disposal of food (1). On the contrary, the emergence of environmental damage and opposition as a threat towards several ecosystems are the consequences of use of plastic and packaging waste. Pla ..read more

Written by: Caitlin Hier, October 2023  Have you ever found yourself sitting at a dinner table with people drinking wine who comment on the tannins? They may describe the tannins as creating a mouthfeel or a drying and silky texture. The word tannins may sound familiar to you without knowing exactly what they are and what they do.  Phytochemicals are found in all plant foods such as fruits, vegetables and grains. They act as the immune system for the plant, and when we eat these foods we benefit as well. Phytochemicals can improve our immunity and act as an antioxidant. Antioxidants ..read more

Written by: guest writer Sheila Olson, Aug 2023   Keep It Simple on Your Road Map to Health Did you ever notice that you start to feel better when you make a few positive changes to your health? Do you feel overwhelmed at trying to change too much at once? Consider starting with a few minor changes to reach your health goals and raise your quality of life as the first step on your road map to good health. Check out these recommendations, courtesy of Remix Snacks.   Healthy Eating Starts Simply Processed foods are directly linked to health issues, including diabetes, heart d ..read more

Written by: Oriana Bellissimo , April 2023 Maximizing the Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate while Minimizing the Risks of Heavy Metals  In late 2022, Hershey Co faced a lawsuit from a consumer who alleged that the company failed to disclose the presence of heavy metals in its dark chocolate products. Specifically, the concerns were over lead and cadmium, two heavy metals that when ingested in large amounts, become harmful to human health. Understandably, this has caused concern and fear for the public who may now become hesitant to buy dark chocolate products. It is important fo ..read more

Written by: Oriana Bellissimo , April 2023 What is IBD? Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an autoimmune, long-term inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract. IBD is the general term for people who suffer from Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). It is a complex disease that can have a detrimental effect on people's quality of life. It can cause stomach pains, diarrhea, bloody stools, and an increased risk of colorectal cancer in the future. But what causes IBD? In short, we don’t know. Researchers believe that it is likely triggered by a combination of envir ..read more