3 simple steps to read food labels the right way

How can we be a smart consumer? Start by learning how to read the food labels in 3 simple ways.

1. Look for the manufacturer and distributor if they are of the same company.

Choosing a product that is manufactured and distributed by the same company ensures the accountability of the company; steers in the direction towards safe and quality products.

Example: A product is manufactured by ABC company and distributed by DEF company; if you have any query or issues, which company do we look for?

2. Look out for the ingredients

The importance of choosing the right nutrients can nourish and step up our immune system. Hence it is crucial to ensure that the ingredients listed are wholesome over synthetic / man-made vitamins & minerals. The sequential of the ingredients listed also indicates the proportion of the ingredients that goes into the making.

How do we know what's wholesome and what is not?

Let's look at a simple analogy

Which part of the car do you think is the most important? Is it the engine, tyre or steering wheel?

In fact, every part of the car is very important. We cannot simply drive the car with just a steering wheel or an engine.

So let's apply the analogy back to the example.

The top label with wholesome ingredients which is naturally rich in folate and other nutrients; like broccoli, asparagus, carrot which is considered as a whole car.

The bottom label with synthetic supplements like Vitamin C with Ascorbic Acid which is in its supplemental form. Do you even consider them as a whole car?

So which label would you choose?

3. Barcode

Barcode is the identity of the product which bears their manufacturing details and stringent tests that it has gone through.

So now you know how to read the labels the right way in 3 easy steps, let's be a wiser consumer from today and start to look for wholesome food to nourish your body with the right nutrients.

Regards,
Karen Lim
9843-4599

Snack Box for Fruits & Veg Day (wk7'15)

Missy's birthday was on Valentine's day so we decided to celebrate her birthday in school on a friday.

I have totally forgotten that I still need to prepare her snack box too! So immediately after dropping Sher in school, I rushed home and see what I could prepare for her before her snack time while also trying to touch up piping the last rim of her birthday cake. The cake was baked with the help of her Godma the night before, and yes, its a strawberry shortcake.

Oh yes, back to her snack box, as you have already know, Sher loves strawberries to the infinity and beyond so naturally it has to be in the main cast of her snack box since its also her birthday celebration. And at the same time, I decided to gave her something new to try (in case not many of you know, Sher is a picky eater / fussy eater, so her fear factor food meter is really limited)

..... Edamame!!

Some cute food picks hope it entice her curiosity to try them....

Some facts about Edamame.

Edamame is commonly seen in Japanese restaurants.

They are rich in Proteins which can helps in muscles mass, Folate, vitamin K & Calcium.

Dietary fiber aids to lower the cholesterol level. Edamame contains isoflavones and saponins also know as antioxidants. These antioxidants also protect the body from the effects of harmful free radicals.

Reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edamame
http://www.seedguides.info/edamame/

Thanks,
Karen Lim
9843-4599

Children Immunity Workshop @ Shaws Preschool on Dec'14

We are very honoured to be invited by Shaws preschool to conduct a children immunity workshop at Boscombe Road in Dec'14.

Response was overwhelming and we had a great time interacting with the parents, teacher and not forgetting the principal, Ms Liane.

Boosting your kid's immune system Seminar

We touched on hot topics like:
1. What are the top 5 common illnesses kids suffer from?
2. How to safeguard our kid's health?
3. How to choose the best nourishment for our growing kids?
4. What are the nutritional misconception on vitamins supplements?

If you would like to know more on how you can boost your kid's immune system or even yourself, do  feel free to contact me @ 9843-4599 for a non-obligatory discussion / consultation.

Thinking of conducting workshops / seminars at your schools or organisations? We do that too! Give me a ring for more details.

Thanks,
Karen Lim
9843-4599

Snack Box for Fruits & Vege Day (wk3'15)

I received a message from the teacher on this Wednesday that effective this week, every Friday is a FRUITIVEGS FRIDAYS. Meaning all the students are encouraged to prepare their snack box with fruits or vegetable to promote healthy lifestyle from young through a wholesome diet.

Last year, when Sher was in Nursery, she was given apples during snack time on every Monday which has been practiced by the school since 2012. This year, they hope to inculcating good eating habits from a young age and foster a bond with family.

Missy was really excited about the coming Friday and was telling me that she can only bring fruits and vegetables, NO Bread, NO Cakes, NO Biscuits.

Ok, here's the convo:

Missy: "I only want Strawberries !"

Being a perfect mom (well, i admit, i'm trying hard to be), I said "Let's have Broccoli too!"

Missy: "No, i only want Strawberries" (Strawberries has always been her favourite since she can talk)

K: "But its Fruits & Vege day....."

and the "NO" "BUT" was going on for a while for the night.....

Here comes Friday morning, we got a small snack box and filled up with..... Tada.... Strawberries & Broccoli !

Some facts about the reds & greens we see here.

Strawberries: has an excellent source of Vitamin C & high anti-oxidant .

Helps to counter free radical, counter inflammation

Rich in Vitamin B complex and folate

ORAC value of about 3577µmol TE per 100 grams (oxygen radical absorbance capacity, a measure of antioxidant strength)

Broccoli: Naturally rich in Vitamin C, B-complex, K

Abundance in Vitamin A, essential for good eye-sight, prevents macular degeneration of the retina.

Excellence source of Folates, which is essential for growing kids to promote cellular growth and regeneration.

ORAC value of 1632µmol TE per 100 grams.

Reference:

http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/strawberries.html

http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/broccoli.html

Thanks,
Karen Lim
9843-4599