Ok, it looks like we may finally be about to enjoy some summertime after the oddest mix of weather for many years. But before we all get carried away with BBQs and beach picnics I thought I would provide  a gentle reminder of some major dietary deficiencies.
I don’t want to be a spoilsport. but now and again, I like to pause and just make sure I am eating somewhat healthily and getting the right mix of foods. Otherwise, at this time of year, I am inclinded to simply focus what I can move from the BBQ to a bread roll, and usually a white roll at that!
Barbecues are not necessarily a bad thing; we just need to consider what it is we put on them. And I for one, don’t always make the healthy choice.
Ok, here we go and I will keep it short, I promise. And all I will do is point to some articles we have written on common deficiencies.
B12 Deficiency – A Silent Epidemic
As many as 47 million Americans may be experiencing forgetfulness, fatigue and depression for nothing more than a simple B12 deficiency. Your BBQ may actually help you here, as B12 can be found in fish, shellfish, meat, eggs and dairy products. Read More
Magnesium Deficiency & the ADHD/Autism Correlation
Magnesium builds and strengthens our bones, relaxes our muscles, transmits nerve signals, contributes to a healthy immune response, produces enzymes responsible for energy, regulates blood pressure and essential vitamins and minerals in our body. However we aren’t getting enough. Eating a wide variety of legumes, nuts, whole grains, and vegetables will help boost your magnesium levels. Hmm, not exactly BBQ friendly, although you can do some interesting things with vegetables! Read More
More than 12%  percent of the U.S. population is deficient in zinc, best known for supporting our immune system, especially when fighting colds and infection. However, zinc also supports the health of our gastrointestinal, central nervous, reproductive, skeletal, and integumentary systems. Oysters are the best dietary source of zinc, as are such other seafoods as crab and lobsters. Red meat, poultry, beans, nuts, whole grains, and dairy products can also help. Some some BBQ ribs and steak will help ypur here. Read More
Most of us, unfortunately, are deficient in vitamin D , which is essential for reducing the risk of osteoporosis and multiple sclerosis. Being out in the sunshine will actuallyhelp you here – 15 minutes of sunshine, without sunscreen, will get you your daily dose. Few foods naturally have vitamin D, but it can be found in such fatty fish as salmon, tuna, and mackerel. Beef liver, cheese, and egg yolks provide small amounts, as do some mushrooms. So being outdoors is probably your best bet here. Read More
Deficiencies, Benefits & Food Sources of Vitamin K
Most people probably don’t know what Vitamin K actually does for our bodies. It actually plays a critical role in clotting blood, as well as in ensuring calcium is directed to bones, rather than arterial walls. An adult deficiency of Vitamin K is not that common due to the wide variety of sources of Vitamin K in foods and synthesis of the vitamin in our colon. And your barbecue will be of little help here, to be honest. Leafy greens are your best best for vitamin K, along with cruciferous vegetables, dried plums, and such oils such as canola and soybean. Read More
Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency – Effects, Symptoms & Sources of Omega 3’s
A shocking 99% of us don’t get enough omega 3s, an essential fatty acid crucial to our survival. Omega 3 essential fatty acids EPA and DHA support brain health and prevent cancer and heart disease, among many others. Since our body doesn’t make these fats, we must rely on proper nutritional food sources and supplements. Barbecue some fish, wild game/poultry, and grass fed beef and you will get a fatty acid boost. Otherwise, your options are really some nuts and seeds, as well as soybeans, some green vegetables, miso, avocado, cauliflower, winter squash, cantaloupe, raspberries, and fresh basil. Read More
And there you have. Enjoy those cookouts and just consider mixing it up a bit and maybe throwing some salads in on the side just for the fun of it.
