Feel Good Everyday - A blog by Danone for a healthy life

Search results for 'probiotics'

Twelve Ideas to Help Keep Your Life in Balance

Balancing the stresses and responsibilities of everyday life can feel like adding an extra chore on the TO DO list. The key is to make small changes and allow yourself to take a break. A few small things added (or subtracted) can provide some welcome breathing space in our busy lives. Start the day right : A nutritious and balanced breakfast fuels the body and gives you a sense of well-being. Some fruit and a yogurt containing probiotics plus a whole-grain homemade muffin can get you out the door fast and recharged. Drop activities that sap time and energy : Maybe you need to excuse yourself sooner from conversations with a gossipy co-worker or organize errands better to save on travel distance. Small, thoughtful changes can save you time and sanity. Build fun into your schedule : It may sound counterintuitive to plan a good time, but scheduling Friday nights for date night and pre-booking a babysitter guarantees you’ll make the “appointment.” Schedule family time: By blocking out hours when kids are the priority, you can enjoy time together and then tend to other responsibilities with a relaxed and guilt-free attitude. Split chores so they feel fair : Make joint decisions based on preference rather(…)

6566

June 6, 2012

Healthy eating

10 snacks for a happy belly

It’s not always easy to plan your meals for the week. Especially when you want to eat well and give your digestive system a boost. So I’ve drawn up a list of 10 snacks that will surely make your belly smile. The important thing is to opt for fiber and probiotics, to stay hydrated, and to avoid overeating and indulging in foods high in fat.

4888

June 1, 2012

Healthy eating

Rediscover Plain Yogurt

With the advent of flavoured yogurts, we’ve gotten away from yogurt in its most “natural” state. Yet plain yogurt is an integral part of a varied and balanced diet. Some people associate it with childhood memories…my case, anyway, as my mom used to make it at home with a yogurt maker when I was little. Let’s rediscover this forgotten food together. What are the benefits of plain yogurt? Plain yogurt contains no added sugar, only the milk’s natural sugar. So you’re free to add something sweet (maple syrup, honey, etc.) if you’d like. And you can keep better track of the sugar content of your desserts and snacks. Plain yogurt generally contains more calcium per serving. Calcium is essential for healthy bones and teeth. It’s the most versatile yogurt variety. Instead of just enjoying it for dessert or as a snack, you can use it when cooking sweet or salty dishes. Here are a few ways to use plain yogurt regularly: Make your dips and vinaigrettes with plain yogurt. Add a spoonful of yogurt to your soup or chili for a creamy touch. Use plain yogurt when making chicken salad sandwiches. Garnish your crepes and French toast with plain yogurt,(…)

3185

March 28, 2012

Healthy eating

What to Eat When You Work The Night Shift?

When you work from 9-5, it’s relatively easy to keep a consistent meal schedule. You eat breakfast before leaving for work, have lunch on your break and indulge in supper when you get home. But did you know that about one third of Canadians do shift work and have to adjust their meals accordingly? According to data from Statistics Canada, approximately 28% of workers (more than 14 million people) work offbeat hours. What are some good habits you can adopt when you work at night, in order to promote digestion, good health, and give you the energy you need to do your job right? Here are a few tips to help you out: Plan your meals in such a way that you eat 3 balanced meals a day plus snacks between meals if you are hungry. Snacks come in particularly handy on the graveyard shift. For night work, you should try eating your biggest meal in the late afternoon or early evening, and not in the middle of night. During your night shift, eating protein will help you stay awake (meat, peanut butter, fish, cheese, legumes, eggs, etc.) Pack a light lunch for halfway through your shift, like a meat sandwich,(…)

2184

March 7, 2012

Live better

Get Ready For Spring, Body and Mind

For all the goodness that comes from winter—skating, skiing, snowboarding, hockey, hot chocolate, warm fires, holidays, sleeping in—there is an undisputed sense of renewal and newness that comes from springtime. I can feel the early rumblings of the changing seasons already. Talks of “spring cleaning” and “planting gardens” are already a hit with the retailers and, over the next few weeks, we, too, will start to make the transition from hibernation to coming into full bloom for the sunny days ahead. Clearly, I’m excited. Other than your state of mind, here are a few more ways to help you un-hibernate for spring: Taking care of your “inside”: Foods that are rich in fibre or contain certain types of probiotics can help with digestion. Start now, eating things like colourful fresh vegetables, legumes or try mixing high-fibre grains and cereals or fruit with probiotic yogurt for a pre-workout snack. Okay, yep, working out: We can’t avoid this one, but think of this as “getting some exercise” instead of “working out”, which always sounds so much more arduous and laborious, in my opinion. Start with walks around the block after dinner or, when the weather’s agreeable, try winter biking for a change(…)

2274