New Service Package Available
I work with a lot of clients where I provides many educational videos and guides that help them understand why they should eat this way. I also get many people who have followed me on my blog and facebook page and understand these concepts but just need help implementing them. So I have come up with a new service package. The 30 Meal Plan and Instructional Video Package. With this package you get a full 30 days of meal plans including the first 2 weeks of Pure Protein and Fat days to get your metabolism kick started. You also get access to a dozen instructional videos to help you stock your pantry, grocery store visits and lots of meal and recipe instructional videos. This is the ideal plan to get you an the right path the a "Healthified" you!
To introduce this package, for the first 20 people, it is 20% off ($160 instead of $200). Click the Buy Now below to start the Maria "Healthified" eating plan now! (Note: this package includes just 1 email response for clarifying questions)
Do you crave chewing on ice, have a bit of anxiety, yet low in energy? You could be low in iron. Gluten has many bad side effects, one of which is how well you absorb iron. Iron helps to carry oxygen to the mitochondria of your cells, which is where fat burning occurs.
If you get a hemoglobin test done and it comes back "normal" you could still be having absorption issues, which is why I require a ferritin test for my clients instead. This test shows me if the iron in your body is getting INTO the cells. If for some reason your hemoglobin is "normal" and your ferritin is "low" I would recommend a 100% elimination diet of gluten. If you are working out a lot, eating low carb and still aren't losing weight, I would get your ferritin checked. Losing weight is all about fat "oxidation"... when you inhale you carry oxygen through the hemoglobin to the mitochondria of your cells, where fat is burned. BUT if you don't have any iron in your cells, you aren't getting the oxygen to the mitochondria. Even though iron numbers may come back fine, this means that you are consuming enough iron in foods, but it isn't getting into the cells... which means there is a food sensitivity inhibiting you from absorbing it.
A few things that deplete you of iron:
1. Heavy menstrual cycles
2. Loss of blood (injury/surgery/pregnancy)
3. Food allergy (damaged intestines/leaky gut)
4. Heavy exercise (running)
5. Not eating red meat/sources of iron
Now, there are 2 different types of iron:
1. Heme iron: form of iron that comes bound to heme proteins and is easily in your digestive tract. (found in Red Meat)
2. Nonheme iron: form of iron not bound to heme proteins, less easily absorbed. (found in spinach and other plant sources)
If you are a vegetarian, I suggest that you pair spinach with foods high in vitamin C to enhance the absorption. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) forms a complex with iron and chemically modifies iron into a form that your body can more readily absorb. Most people underestimate the power of herbs and spices; things like parsley, dill, rosemary, as well as most spices, have a ton of vitamin C; more than most fruits.
Also adding lemon and lime help with iron absorption. The acid helps to change the iron from nonabsorbable ferric iron to the more absorbable ferrous iron. Eat foods high in iron with coconut, balsamic or apple cider vinegar, or acidic lime or lemon juice. For example, top a spinach salad with a lemon and herb dressing, or use the juice from a lime as the garnish.
NOTE: Do not take iron supplements unless directed by a doctor. Too much iron isn't a good thing!
Find fun facts like this along with recipe ideas for health in my book: The Art of Healthy Eating: SAVORY