Health Alert! Time To Beat A Bad Health System!

To think we walk around and read articles, listen to the news and just simply think we can estimate calorie counting is just a myth nowadays. Food is not just what we visually see in front of us anymore or how good it tastes. It is not just rice and pasta or potatoes and meat or even steamed vegetables anymore. You can’t just simply count calories like we should of in the past 10 years ago. Now obesity keeps rising, we just can’t go back to the simplicity of that simple science unless we get properly educated.

 

We could of 20 years ago before the food industry became masked with so many HIDDEN CHEMICALS that we now generally call FOOD, but it’s really not that SIMPLE anymore. Do you realize when you eat out you are taking the chance or “RISK” of eating traces of so many chemicals that are hidden in your food, that so many restaurant owners don’t even know they are poisoning our society with “ingredients” that they are buying in the largest quantities as possible so that they can save money and ruin our health without them even reading the labels on their supplies and let alone them not even caring or even knowing what they are feeding their customers!

 

Even storeowners of large restaurant depots have no idea of what is going on in society and how there is so much lack of information in the FOOD industry…and they SHOULD!! Our HEALTH depends on it!

 

Be smart, start asking when you eat out. If you like fried food…ask if they use an oil that contains a chemical that prevents mold in their oil, or a chemical that prevents it from forming foam when it is used too much (an anti-foaming agent made from silicone (Polydimethylsiloxane))…. or ask when you receive something that is breaded, is the breadcrumbs they use have hydrogenated oils or partially hydrogenated oils, types of MSG or sulfur dioxide, or food coloring and artificial colors…I will stop there because there is much more!

 

Start asking to see, and ask yourself the question…. is this what our bodies intended us to eat! Don’t let them talk your way out of knowing what you put in your body because I truly believe that out nation is not unhealthy because we over eat. I believe that we are unhealthy because when we eat out too much or buy packaged foods too much and we are eating so many chemicals that we are breaking down our immune system so much as well as the organs that are committed to digesting food that our body gets so corrupted with chemicals that it can’t even do what mother nature intended it to do. Just as pure air and pure sunlight is essential to our existence…. absorbing pure unadulterated food is far more important to the success of our health.

The Nutrition Chef, 2011

 

5 Top Ways of Defending Aging Before You Age

Don’t follow the mainstream path of waiting for your body to breakdown before you create a healthy lifestyle. There is so much power in the lifestyle you lead and the food we eat and the daily habits we create.

Here are my top 5 ways to prevent aging when it comes to food and daily health habits:

1. Drink plenty of water (2-4 liters a day), alot of the time when you think your hungry your body is actually very thirsty.

2. Get your dark green leafy vegetables EVERY day. I take 1 tablespoon of Healthforce Nutritionals Vitamineral Greens. (just in case I don’t eat leafy greens every day this is a great way to get them in daily).

3. Take Whole Food Liquid Vitamins instead of cheap pharmaceutical pills.

4. Get at least 8 hours a sleep a day.

5. Perform at least 20 minutes of meditation a day.

I hope this helps and Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Alex M. Fioroni, N.S.

The Nutrition Chef

Fast Food and Drugs; The Root Of All Evil

I read a message from top personal trainer Josh Trent today on Facebook that sparked me to write this note. Thanks Josh for posting your message!

It is sad that in today’s society that things need to get really bad before they get better. I believe the root of all evil is temptation! It comes in all forms and if we are not strong enough to fight it, it will break us all down! Sometimes it will even come when we are our strongest! I am a father of 7 healthy children and when my 2 year see’s the golden arches she says: “Daddy look, yucky McDonald’s”, and my 8 year then says: “yeah, that is the unhealthy place that lies to you to get them to eat their food”, then my 6 year old says; “yeah, that is why they put a playground in there, to try and make us come in”.

The reason I bring up my wonderful kids in this note is to show that we are a product of our environment. Proper education and role models are the key to any success a child will have whether they are 2 years old or 80 years old.

We are all surrounded by big companies that have great marketing and poor products and unfortunately the marketing is winning and destroying our HEALTH!

In order to get stronger we just need to say no to unhealthy food the same way we say no to drugs!!

Temptation will always be there, but family and friends won’t. At the end of the road don’t you want to feel like you gave your body the very best and that if you are a parent that you gave your children the very best!

I certainly do and I am not going to stop what I do for a living just because these big companies think they are winning by capitalizing on our health!

I encourage everyone to make every choice count and always remember that when you choose to buy a product or eat food from a company that doesn’t really care about your health and your family’s health, that choice represents the future of that company!

So…….. the only way to get these companies out of the great field of health and wellness is to eliminate them by ignoring their existence!

Bad food does not deserve to be in our bodies, let alone a child, the sick or the elderly.

All my best,
Alex M. Fioroni, N.S.
The Nutrition Chef

Sugar and The Brain

You open a can of soda or energy drink and pour that sugary drink into your mouth. The sugar travels down your throat and into your stomach; the sugar then has a very short trip from your stomach into your blood stream. As that sugar starts to move its way throughout your body, it eventually makes its way to your brain. You brain is happy with this shot of sugar you just gave it, because, while it only makes up only two percent of the body weight, your brain uses one-half of all the sugar energy in the body.

But, is there such a thing as too much sugar for your brain? And that soda or energy drink you just drank, it will cause your blood sugar to skyrocket and eventually drop; what happens to your brain then? And what about other sugar-brains questions: doesn’t sugar make you or your kids hyperactive, and doesn’t sugar change your mood? Does sugar prevent muscle contraction? Does sugar cause headaches?

The short answer to these all these questions is: we don’t really know. Scientific studies on the effects of sugar on the brain are sparse at best and most medical professionals and organizations will say that sugar has nothing to do with mood or hyperactivity. If you are surprised by that stance, you are not alone.

In 2008, Nicole Avena published data^[4] stating that sugar affects opioids and dopamine in the brain, and thus might be expected to have addictive potential. She references “Bingeing,” “withdrawal,” “craving” and “cross-sensitization” are each given operational definitions and demonstrated behaviorally with sugar bingeing as the reinforcer. These behaviors are then related to neurochemical changes in the brain that also occur with addictive drugs. Neural adaptations include changes in dopamine and opioid receptor binding, enkephalin mRNA expression and dopamine and acetylcholine release in the nucleus accumbens.

“Recent behavioral tests in rats further back the idea of an overlap between sweets and drugs. Drug addiction often includes three steps. A person will increase his intake of the drug, experience withdrawal symptoms when access to the drug is cut off and then face an urge to relapse back into drug use. Rats on sugar have similar experiences. Researchers withheld food for 12 hours and then gave rats food plus sugar water. This created a cycle of binging where the animals increased their daily sugar intake until it doubled. When researchers either stopped the diet or administered an opioid blocker the rats showed signs common to drug withdrawal, such as teeth-chattering and the shakes. Early findings also indicate signs of relapse. Rats weaned off sugar repeatedly pressed a lever that previously dispensed the sweet solution.” (Leah Ariniello, Brain Briefings, October 2003)

The sugar industry claims that similar effects have been reported for rats given solutions that tasted sweet, but contained no calories. [1] However, caloric value may not be the issue. Sugar and the taste of sweet stimulate the brain by activating beta endorphin receptor sites. These are the same chemicals activated by heroin and morphine.^{[citation needed]}

Most parents have witnessed firsthand the effect of sugar on little kid’s brains. Most adults will tell you that they have experienced a sort of mental fog from eating too much sugar, not to mention the sugar high and the sugar crash. But none of these experiences mean anything to researchers who report that there are no such things as sugar highs or lows or that hyperactivity could be caused by too much sugar. Or that too much high glycemic sugar inhibits muscle contraction because it interferes with neurological muscle transmitters that create muscle contraction.

But just because there isn’t much research on how sugar and foods that act like sugar and how they affect mental function, doesn’t mean there isn’t. I believe we are coming into a new era where over consumption of a lot of “foods” is becoming an epidemic.

Alex M. Fioroni, N.S.

The Nutrition Chef

Organic Evaporated Palm Sugar

Palm sugar reminds me of a less processed version of brown sugar. It’s a little lighter in color and the granules are much larger in size. It’s about as sweet as brown sugar but packed with surperior electorleyes that are vital to exercise. Manufacturers like Navitas Naturals claim that it has high amounts of potassium, magnesium, zinc and iron, as well as vitamin C and many of the B vitamins. Harvesting palm sugar is traditionally done by small, local sugar tappers that climb to the top of the palms (often palmyra palms) to collect the sap from the palm flowers. The sap is collected in bamboo containers and then cooked for several days and the residual molasses is filled into coconut shells and allowed to harden into a cake.

Palm Sugar a pure cane sugar alternative. According to the Inner Press Service (IPS), “a major advantage with palm sugar is that palm trees can be tapped all year round, ensuring continuous production and incomes, compared to the seasonal harvesting of cane sugar.” The trees are maintained for their sap instead of being cut down. This could potentially bring another economic industry to areas dealing with the environmental destruction that goes along with the massive oil palm plantations that according to the UN, are clearing trees so rapidly that up to 98 percent of Malaysian and Indonesian rainforests may be destroyed by 2022. Palm sugar is great in homemade granola and cookies as a less processed alternative.

On the Sports Nutrition and Holistic Health side of things this sugar is complete on all sides of the fence. Not only is it 35 on the GI tract but it packs a powerful instant punch of RAW energy to the muscle while maximazing low fat weight.

I have finally found the PERFECT SUGAR SUBSTITUTE and am very excited to bring this science of sugar to you.

Remember…..CARBS are not the emeny…it’s the BAD carbs that are…the EMPTY ones and the ONES that you OVEREAT.

Bod-Health Nutrition’s Power Pudding is sweetened with Organic Evaporated Palm Sugar! Check it out! www.bodhealthnutrition.com

Why low Carb Diets Are Wrong for an Anaerobic Exerciser!

I just had to write this article. After so many years of doing 1-on-1 and getting so much honesty and openness from everyone of my clients I have to just focus on a topic that is brought up every time. I’m in the business of changing the false marketing that we are all surrounded by in this nutrition/health industry and I love to educate my client with the “proper” science and education that this “diet” industry lacks so very much.

What does the word “Anaerobic” mean and how does this affect the way I eat????

Well let’s look at the basic science of what this means and really get to the bottom of the way we look at a carbohydrate in regards to an active anaerobic exerciser.

Anaerobic basally means exercise without oxygen as the main source of energy. Guess what the number one source of fuel/energy is for an anaerobic exerciser?

“Glycogen”………. meaning glucose……..meaning Carbohydrates.

Now that we know that sugar (carbohydrate), (obviously the right kind and the right amount) is the number one fuel for an exerciser the trains like an anaerobic athlete, lets really define what kind of exerciser that is.

Basically if you are working out or playing a sport that consists of quick energy burst that last under 2 minutes and have periodic rests in between, you are classified as an anaerobic exerciser.

Example: weight training, lacrosse, football, hockey, golf, baseball, boxing, martial arts, etc………

As you can see these are not only sports or recreational sport that individuals use to get in shape or to keep in shape but are some of the most common professional sports.

Now if carbohydrates are the number one fuel for an anaerobic exerciser than now you will learn why……. when it comes to nutrition, sugar is so important. I keep saying the word sugar because I want you to realize that is what a carbohydrate is and because here in the USA the wrong types have caused so many illnesses that in the end it more powerful than these illnesses if used in the right way.

If one does a low carb diet and trains like an anaerobic athlete the only loss of weight that will happen will be YOUR MUSCLE AND the only gain will be irritability and low energy!!

The key is learning what types of carbohydrates are powerful enough to generate a high metabolism and ingesting the correct amount of grams every 2-3 hours. Sugar is what feeds the muscle. Sugar also feeds the brain. The average person needs at least 20grams of sugar just for the brain to function for a couple of hours.

We get caught up in the “hype” of these fade diets not because they work but because we get caught in the quick fix approach due to the fact that we have bad habits that we do not know how to change.

The great thing is that “WE” can and “WE” will, you just need the right tools and the right coach and you will be in better shape and feel better than you could ever dream of.

Be smart, take your time, and enjoy what nutrition and proper science can do for your health and your future!!

All my best,

The Nutrition Chef™

Chief Product Developer

Director Of Pro Sport Teams and Athletic Programs

Are You Eating The Right Energy Bar?

We all know and love a good energy bar or protein bar. We all know that they were created for a couple of reasons;

1. to replace an unhealthy candy bar.

2. to give us quick healthy energy on the go.

The real questions are:

Are we eating the right one?

Are we reading the label correctly?

Are we understanding the ingredients and know why they are organized on their label from the most used ingredient the to the least used?

Understanding the ingredients is……what I think…….”THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT”, since most of bars we choose are eaten on a daily basis.

First lets touch base on the order ingredients are labeled and what makes that important. This is important because it tells what the bulk of the product is. When a company is creating a recipe, by law they have to label the ingredients from the most to the least (heaviest to the lightest). This information is very important as it decides which direction our health is going. Reading what the first 3 ingredients  and understanding the nutritional science behind them is VERY IMPORTANT.

So if “sugar” were to be the first ingredient then you could say that 80% of that product is sugar, even if there would be other healthy ingredients attached to that recipe, it wouldn’t make that bar any healthier.

Same goes for if the second ingredient was hydrogenated oil, then you could say that 60-70% of that product is hydrogenated oil, once again regardless if there was “super vitamins” in that product the hydrogenated oil being the 2nd ingredient would ruin any other healthy ingredient in that bar.

Same goes for protein powders, if the 3rd ingredient consisted of soy protein isolate or hydrolyzed whey protein that would mean more than 50% of that bar would contain MSG! These protein sources OFTEN contain MSG or create MSG during the processing; the MSG-reaction is a reaction to free glutamic acid that occurs in these types of foods as a consequence of manufacturing.

IF the bar has “artificial sweeteners like “ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, SUCRALOSE AND ACESULFAME POTASSIUM” in the first 3 ingredients, guess what……then that is all you are really eating!

Here is a paragraph from WebMD:

“To complicate matters, you may not be able to judge every bar by its wrapper. In October 2001, when ConsumerLab.com announced the findings of its independent laboratory tests of 30 nutrition bars, 18 did not meet the claims of ingredient levels on the label. More than any other misrepresentation, about one-half of the nutrition bars exceeded the carbohydrate levels stated on the wrapper (one bar promoted as a low-carbohydrate diet product claimed it had just 2 grams of carbohydrates, but testing showed it actually contained 22 grams).”

Originally published Oct. 7, 2002.
Medically updated Jan. 20, 2004

Remember to choose wisely and not replace whole foods with “fake energy”, or overindulge in a bar that is really only going to create toxins and inhibit total health and well being.

What do I think is the best energy/protein bar out there…….”The Bod-Bars”!  All natural, balanced macro-micro ratio nutrition…..everything your body needs and nothing it doesn’t!

Alex M. Fioroni N.S.

The Nutrition Chef

These statements and research are solely based by the independent research and study of Alex M. Fioroni N.S. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. All products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease

Top Nutrition For Athletes

Sports Nutrition for an athlete can depend on alot of different actions and reactions to their individual lifestyles. Their lifestyle is the number one direct link to how well they grow thier lean muscle mass, how well they sleep, how well they recuperate, how well they lose excess body and how well they get rid of unwanted toxins.

My name is Alex Fioroni and I have been an expert in the field of nutrition for 12 years and been working with professional athletes for over 10 years.  I am The Nutrition Chef and Certified Nutrition Specialist for Bod-Health Nutrition Meal Program.

I have an enormous passion with assisting the athlete on a nutritional level. Working with athletes brings great results when they adhere to the education and nutritional guidelines that I provide for them. An athlete must have complete discipline when it comes to nutrition. 90% of their results and the longevity of their sport will depend on their nutritional lifestyle. Their digestive system and immune system play a bigger role in strength, endurance and agility then meets the eye.

To be on top of their game they must remember that competition also lies with how strict you are with your nutrition. When no-one is watching you, you should still be eating at a high level of quality and quantity. Every sport is different when it comes to the fuel source and the ratio. You can learn allot after speaking with me on how nutrition can be customized to your individual sport. Only then will you become the best you are meant to be. I hope you enjoy my little intro and i am excited to write more on this topic and feel free to check out my products and services at any time.

Drop Off Locations For Bod Health Nutrition Meal Service

Bod Health Nutrition Meal Service a product of The Natural Edge Inc. (www.bodhealthnutrition.com) expands their services throughout San Diego. You can pick up your meals at High Voltage Fitness; http://www.yellowbot.com/high-voltage-fitness-la-jolla-la-jolla-ca.html, Pacific Athletic Club; http://www.pacsandiego.com/web/site/, Scripts Ranch Salon and Spa; Scripps Salon & Spa; Fit Athletic Club (downtown) http://www.fitathletic.com/sandiego/home.php. Meal service is also available for out of state shipments and in-home and office deliveries. Call Ingrid Fioroni @ 858-354-6663 or for more information, email her at ingrid@bodhealthnutrition.com, Director Of Sales and Marketing.  

Is Losing Weight and Looking Great all that matters for your long term health??

Unfortunately the answer is NO!

We live in a society that makes us believe that it’s all about our appearance and we have a medical industry that wants us to believe that as well. There are so many underlying illnesses in America that have stricken many individuals with “sudden” diseases that the “doctors” say are unknown. If only they had the knowledge to utilize an individual’s lifestyle instead of just prescribing a pharmaceutical pill that only damages your body (especially the liver) more in the long run.

Looking great is wonderful, but feeling great is where the real health is at. I have seen and studied many incidents where a professional athlete that appears to be in top shape is plagued with internal physical issues that later on destroy there well being. Digestive disorders, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc;…these pre-cursor illness’s don’t just appear because they aren’t working hard enough; these illness’s are caused from having the wrong kinds of foods pumping through their blood stream while they are training.

Think of it as this: Our blood should run through our veins the same as water runs through a hose, when you eat, a lot of animal fat, deep fried food, the wrong types of oils, etc….YOUR blood becomes SYRUPY and CLUMPY!

So when you are taking your training and exercise to the max think of your veins being pitched like you would pinch a garden hose to cut off the water pressure……THUS….less oxygen to your muscles and brain as well as damaging your liver, kidneys, pancreas and gallbladder….HENCE….HIGH RISK for HEART ATTACK, DIABETES ETC….!

I cannot stress enough how important it is to make your daily eating routine clean burning ENERGY. Don’t wait until an illness creeps up on you and then become healthy. Put your eating habits into high gear NOW so as a retired professional in the future you will look like someone that has worked hard, with so many years of training behind you.

” The weaker you build the inside of your body now…..the harder it is to get healthier later.”

What You Eat Matters!

The Nutrition Chef™

Chief Product Developer

Director Of Pro Sport Teams and Athletic Programs