Is wine really good for you? Is high fibre bread as healthy as whole grain bread. Nutrition expert Leslie Beck receives dozens of questions like this every week. Here are some answers to a few of those questions.
Q: What's the best way to wash lettuce to remove pesticide residues? - Diane
Studies do suggest that washing lettuce and other produce removes most trace pesticide residues.
Wash and rinse all produce -- that goes for both conventional and organic lettuce -- with running water. Don't use soap since it may leave trace residues of chemicals that have not been tested for human consumption. Be sure to remove and discard outer leaves of lettuce and leafy greens and cabbage.
Q: Is drinking wine good or bad for you? - Josee
A moderate intake of alcohol of any kind might guard against heart disease. Over 60 studies suggest that, compared to abstainers, people who consume one to two drinks per day have a lower risk of heart attack and stroke. The best known effect of alcohol is its ability to increase levels of HDL (good) cholesterol. The active ingredient in alcohol (ethanol) may also help prevent blood clots from forming, thereby providing an effect similar to aspirin.
The heart benefits of alcohol are not limited to red wine. To date, no one type of alcoholic beverage has been proven to be more protective than the others. Some scientists contend that because red wine has more antioxidants it is more beneficial to health.
And if you don't currently drink alcohol, certainly don't start in the hopes of reducing your risk for heart disease. While a moderate intake of alcohol may protect the heart, it may also increase the risk of certain cancers including breast and colon cancer. If you do drink, limit your intake to a weekly maximum of nine drinks for men and seven drinks for women.
Q: Is almond butter safe for children with a peanut allergy?- Keira
We had a few questions about whether other nuts safe for kids with peanut allergy. Individuals with peanut allergy are not necessarily allergic to other nuts and vice versa. That's because peanuts don't come from the same family as nuts such as almonds, walnuts, cashews, pecans, pistachios and hazelnuts. Peanuts come from the legume family (peas, lentils) and grow in the ground whereas other nuts grown on trees.
It's estimated that 25 to 35 per cent of people with peanut allergy are also sensitive to tree nuts. If a child is allergic to one tree nut, it's recommended that all tree nuts and peanuts be avoided due to the risk of cross contamination. An allergist can help determine if children with peanut allergy are also allergic to other nuts.
And certainly almond butter is not safe for nut free classrooms.
Q: Is high fibre white bread as healthy as whole grain bread? - Judy
High fibre white bread like Wonder+ is a more nutritious bread for kids who don't like the taste of whole-wheat breads. The manufacturers have added fibre -- four grams in two slices -- which is more than four times the amount found in white bread. The company has also added a few extra vitamins and minerals too.
Although this bread is healthier, it's not exactly the same as eating whole grain bread made with 100 per cent whole wheat flour. What this bread is missing, though, is the germ found in whole grain bread. The germ is rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. When the germ is removed to make white flour, you end up with considerably less nutrients and protective compounds.
Q: Are naturally occurring trans-fats as bad for your health as those added in processing? - Sarah
Animal products like beef, lamb, cheese, cream and butter have small amounts of naturally occurring trans fats. But these trans fats act differently than man-made trans fats found in bakery goods, snack foods and deep fried fast foods. Industrial trans fats - found in foods made with partially hydrogenated vegetable oils - increase LDL (bad) cholesterol and decrease HDL (good) cholesterol. A steady intake of industrial trans fats has also been linked to a greater risk of type 2 diabetes.
The correlation between trans fats and heart disease is related specifically to the trans fats from partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, not naturally-occurring trans fats. However, keep in mind these foods can also be high in saturated fat, which also boosts LDL cholesterol and the risk for heart disease.
