HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1997-06-11, Page 9THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11,1997 PAGE 9.
■food cyj leal 111
Nutritional eating offers variety of choices
By Janice Becker
Citizen staff
You've just been told by your
physician that a member of your
family is allergic to wheat, dairy
products, eggs or com. How can
you possibly feed them
nutritionally?
The answer is really quite
simple when information is
obtained about Canada's Food
Guide and the numerous
alternatives which are available
from specialty food stores such
as Pandora's Pantry Natural
Foods Store in Wingham.
When looking to change one's
diet, whether for allergy reasons
or the urge to improve one’s
health, first consideration should
be given to Canada's Food
Guide, says Sue Mullin, co
owner of Pandora's.
When allergies are discovered,
many people see only
limitations, says Mullin. If the
allergy is to wheat, people
believe they have to cut out all
baked goods. "What other flour
is there?" is a common question
heard by Mullin. In her store, the
options number at least 24.
"Canada's Food Guide has
broad horizons within its food
groups," says Mullin. "There is
ample room for many tastes and
needs."
For those who are gluten-
intolerant, gluten-free types are
available while still obtaining the
nutritional value of the grain
product.
In the dairy department,
lactose-free products line the
shelves and if chemical
contaminants are the problem,
organic fruits and vegetables can
be purchased. Food products free
of MSG, artificial colouring and
flavours, which may cause
reactions in sensitive systems,
are another option to consider.
However, healthy eating is not
just for those forced into the
lifestyle because of a dietary
problem. Adding good quality,
fresh fruits and vegetables could
be considered.
Mullin also suggests looking
for alternatives to the most
common meal choices. "White
bread is not considered to have
much food value."
If entering a nutritional food
store is a first, ask for advice,
says Mullin. Pandora's has a
large selection of literature
which may be helpful in
discovering the cause of one's
problem. "The information is
from clinical studies which have
been well-researched and
documented," says Mullin. "It is
not just someone's idea of what
is good. It comes from medical
and naturopathic studies."
Mullin also suggests talking to
one's physician about dietary
changes under consideration.
The staff at Pandora's is also
very well versed in the products
they sell. Though not able to
diagnose symptoms, they are
able to tell customers about
products which have been
suggested through research to be
beneficial for a specific
complaint. "We can tell
customers some avenues to
explore," says Mullin.
Also offered at Pandora's are
alternative cleaning products
which are environmentally-
friendly, health care suitable for
sensitive skin and 100 per cent
cotton women's hygiene products
which substantial reduce the risk
of toxic shock syndrome, a
problem resulting from the rayon
component, says Mullin.
For consumers in general,
whether shopping at a nature
food store or the local grocery
store, Mullin says becoming a
conscientious buyer by reading
labels is smart shopping.
"Just because it is in the store
does not mean it is safe to eat."
One of her most helpful tips
was told to her by another
source. She says the best method
for grocery shopping is to shop
peripherally. "It is the quality
yet very vital couple came in for
a little shopping. Though not
paying very close attention to
them, their age would have been
guessed at mid-60s. They looked
healthy, walked with a jaunty
stride and appeared full of vim
and vigor.
After they had left, Mullin said
they were in their late 70s, had
recently returned from a cruise
and between them had never
consumed a pharmaceutical in
their more than a century and a
half of life.
Whether they were blessed by
good genes, strong constitutions
or just very smart eating and
health awareness throughout
their lives, they could easily be
nominated as a poster couple for
the nutritional lifestyle.
As the baby boom generation
nears retirement age and the
increasing worry about the state
of the country's health care
system begin to influence
people's choices for healthy
eating, Mullin says she believes
people are taking a greater
interest in looking after their own
health.
"Consumers are becoming
more questioning. They are not
waiting for someone else to look
after their health and health care
Healthy products
Mike Cere of Pandora's Pantry Natural Foods Store,
Wingham weighs a sampling of bulk products which
are available at the outlet along with nutritional and
dietary alternatives for the healthy consumer.
foods like vegetables, fruits,
meats, if you choose, and dairy
products which are located on
the outside aisles of every
grocery store, that are important.
The items in the other sections
are fillers in convenience
packaging."
Mullin says it has also been
shown that one can eat smaller
quantities of good food because
it satisfies the body better.
When Mullin and partner Beth
Fulton took over the operation
four years ago, the majority of
the customers were over 50, she
says. Today, they are beginning
to see a younger group
frequenting their store.
Though the customers may be
younger by calendar years, some
of her regulars are also very
young in action and appearance.
While visiting the store, an older,
need," she says.
iikaiih
TIPS
(NC)—Health professionals are
increasingly giving patients citrus
seed extracts for bacterial, fungal
and parasitic infections. These
extracts are powerful antibiotics, yet
they do little harm to the helpful
intestinal bacteria so important for
strong immunity. Thus they can be
used as long as needed to clear up
persistent infections.
III AI III
TIPS
(NC)—Garlic’s list of uses continues
to grow. Recent European research
indicates that in addition to its well-
known ability to strengthen immunity
and tone the cardiovascular system,
garlic helps remove lead and other
toxic metals from the body. These
metals, common in today’s polluted
environment, damage the brain,
kidneys and immune system.
Information provided by the
Canadian Health Food Association.
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