Food for Action, Food for Thought

Just as a car needs fuel, whether it’s electric or gas, both our bodies and minds need the proper nutrition to keep them functioning at full speed. Eating nutritious food may help us live longer and healthier lives, but it is also a way to be role models for future generations. Children who develop good eating habits have a better chance of succeeding in multiple aspects of their lives.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that in the U.S., fewer than one in 10 people eat the recommended daily amount of vegetables. Fewer than one in 7 adults and four in 10 children eat enough fruit!1 These sad numbers underscore the importance of re-evaluating our daily diets and committing to improving our eating habits.

Eating nutritious foods not only increases the chances of longevity, but it also helps keep skin, teeth and eyes healthy, supports muscles and bones, enhances the immune and cardiovascular systems, aids digestive system functions and combined with exercise, even helps achieve and maintain a healthy weight.2   Knowing how to eat right is not enough: we need to practice what we know.

The upside of an improved nutritional status is an increase in energy, better concentration and more restful sleep patterns. Outward signs of improved nutritional status include clearer skin, firmer muscle tone, shiny hair, and looking less stressed—mainly because sugar and junk food are companions to stress!

Even people who generally eat the right foods may not eat enough of them, or simply are running on an empty tank in today’s hectic world. We might miss a meal here or there because there’s no time to stop and eat during work hours. We may not have time to meal-prep nutritious food. That’s one of the reasons Kenzen Vital Balance® Meal Replacement Mix is so convenient—”two scoops and you’re ready to go.” Convenience is handy but the nutrients in “KVB” make it exceptional.

Many drink or shake mixes contain protein from various sources but also may include other ingredients such as added sugars, artificial flavoring, thickeners and preservatives to prolong shelf life. Kenzen Vital Balance® Meal Replacement Mix does not contain any “fillers,” artificial flavoring, preservatives or animal proteins. In fact, it is gluten-free, does not have saturated fats, added sugars, dairy or salt.

What KVB does have sets it apart from commercial brands!

• The “food for thought” aspect of KVB derives from the inclusion of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) derived from coconut milk. MCTs are known as “brain food” because they support cognition and contain properties that help burn fat as well as support metabolic processes.*

• The naturally-sourced protein comes mainly from organic pea, organic rice and organic moringa, which are completely plant-based.

• The formula combines an enzyme-probiotic blend to support the digestive and immune systems.*

• The subtle sweetness comes from zero-calorie organic monkfruit and organic stevia. These expensive natural sweeteners are not commonly found in commercial brands.

*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

A well-rounded diet requires nutrients from all seven food groups: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber and water. Once you mix KVB with the liquid of your choice, you have all seven!

We encourage everyone to be a reader of ingredient lists. Ingredients are listed with the highest percentage first, ending with the lowest. With KVB, it is notable that organic pea protein, organic rice protein and MCTs are listed one, two, three, followed by organic natural vanilla flavor, organic moringa and a variety of vitamins and minerals, organic green vegetables, enzymes/probiotic blend, and fiber.

Whether you want to supplement your current diet, replace a junk food meal or have a nutritious in-between-meal snack, we think KVB is the perfect solution. You can put it in a blender with PiMag® water, plant-based milks of your choice, dairy milks, or add fruit and greens to make it even more filling.

Remember that KVB can help you succeed in your personal Summer Challenge!

1, 2, 3 https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/resources-publications/benefits-of-healthy-eating.html

Delicious with Thinning Effects

Not all food is equal. Some food is good for you but tastes awful. Some food is bad for you and tastes great. The best food is good for you and also delicious—it can help you maintain a healthy weight and even lose extra pounds. Here are five foods that are nutrient dense, versatile, tasty and easy to incorporate into an Active Wellness regimen.

Green tea: Catechins make this beverage a super beverage. Catechins are antioxidants that help hinder the storage of belly fat and aid in weight loss. A study published in The Journal of Nutrition found that exercisers who drank four to five cups of green tea daily and worked out for 25 minutes or more lost more belly fat than counterparts who did not drink green tea. 1

Almonds: A great source of mono- and polyunsaturated fats, almonds contain fewer calories than most other types of nuts (163 for 23) plus fiber and vitamin E. The Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition printed a study that found almonds to be helpful in burning fat and carbs during workouts. By eating a little more than a quarter cup of almonds, exercisers noticed a more significant weight reduction in only two weeks than when they ate snacks made of complex carbs and safflower oil. The same group experienced a 62% greater reduction in weight and BMI after 24 weeks.2

Legumes: Weight management experts often recommend a high-protein diet to help lose and maintain weight. Vegetarians and vegans often find it easier to reach protein intake goals by eating lots of legumes (lentils, chickpeas, peas, beans, etc.) or adding a supplement such as pea protein. Pea protein’s high levels of branched-chain amino acids are believed to make it exceptionally beneficial for muscle mass preservation and stimulation of fat loss. 3 Pea protein powder is among the most hypoallergenic of protein powders, as it contains no gluten or dairy; it doesn’t cause bloating, a common side effect of many other protein powders.

Broccoli: Only 30 calories per serving, this cruciferous vegetable is a substantial source of calcium and antioxidants. Because it is high in fiber, you don’t need to eat a huge amount to feel full. Calcium helps increase the body’s core temperature, which may boost metabolism and help burn fat.4 Since calcium is found largely in dairy products, broccoli is a viable alternative. A versatile veggie, you can incorporate it into stir fries, boil, steam or eat it raw in salads or as crudite.

Brown rice: Filling but low in calories, brown rice is a staple in Active Wellness households. It’s full of fiber, a source of phytonutrients and contains 1.7 grams of fat-burning resistant starch.5

Legumes, brown rice and broccoli are easy to cook and eat, but if you want to forgo pots and pans, you can simply make a shake with Kenzen Vital Balance® Meal Replacement mix. In either vanilla or chocolate flavors, it contains organic pea protein as its primary ingredient and also has organic broccoli and organic rice protein, among many other beneficial ingredients, such as MCTs, organic chlorella and organic cilantro.

For that antioxidant boost, Kenzen Ten4® Energy Drink Mix eliminates brewing with top quality organic matcha green tea powder and organic brown rice solids that are stirred for a quick hot or cold pick-me-up.

With convenience provided by NikkenWellness nutritional supplements, healthy eating has never been simpler. 

1          http://www.eatthis.com/

2          http://www.eatthis.com

3          http://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library

4          http://www.webmd.com/diet/obesity/features/calcium-weight-loss

5          http://www.health.com