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Back in fat

» A move toward healthy and

delicious fat consumption

Sophie Isbister
Life & Style Editor, lifeandstyle@theotherpress.ca

S- what’s the deal with fat? We've all heard that it’s bad for you,
and low-fat or “light” options in the dairy aisles keep leaping
out at us. But then, we also hear that carbs and sugar are bad. In
order to clear up some of the confusion, I spoke with registered
holistic nutritionist and holistic chef Erica Dion. She answered my
questions about good fats, bad fats, and what they do for us.

Dion says the existence of fat in our diet is important for cell
building: “Every cell is composed of a lipid layer that keeps all the
cells functioning properly,” she says.

She adds that fats are crucial for storing fat-soluble vitamins
such as A, D, E, and K. “Fat is a vital nutrient that provides the body
with energy [because it is] calorically dense.”

Okay, so we need fat to survive, and for our brains to work
well, but are we eating too much fat? Should we be making lighter
choices at the grocery store?

Dion says the problem with low-fat options is that they need
to replace the missing fat with something else—usually sugar. “Fat
is full of flavour and adds mouth appeal to foods. When you take it
out, food manufacturers have to put something in to improve the
flavour and palatability of food,” Dion says.

“Look at fat-free yogurt. It will have more sugar added to make
it taste better and will often have pectin or another additive to
thicken the final product. Also, milk is already loaded with lactose,
or milk sugar, naturally.”

Dion explains the chain of reactions that happens when your
body eats sugar in place of fat: “The body digests sugar rapidly. Take
away the naturally occurring fats, which take the body longer to
digest, and the body will experience a spike in blood sugar. [Then]
the body releases insulin to manage the sugar spike (some will go
to the tissues, some to fat storage); and then the blood sugar can
drop too quickly, since there are fewer calories available from the
missing fats.”

Dion adds that, “Diets which are low in fats can contribute
to poor mental function, lack of a fuel source, fat-soluble vitamin
deficiencies, issues with sex hormone productions, and poor cell
structure affecting overall function.”

That’s a lot of info to digest, so ] asked Dion for some tips
on the types of fat that we should be eating to support healthy
cell development. Since not all fats are created equal, Dion
recommends getting your fat from a naturally occurring source,
and that variety is the key.

She says, “The human body needs an array of nutrients. If we
consume all of our caloric needs predominately from one food or
nutrient source, there will be issues in the tissues.”

So, your best source for fat probably isn’t that bag of chips or
brick of light cheese, but don’t turn away from avocados, almonds,
walnuts, chia seeds, hemp seeds, flax seeds, and cold-water fish
such as salmon, sardines, cod, tuna, and mackerel. Also, look for
grass-fed eggs and meat for good fats. These items are high in
Omega 3 fats, which are fats that Dion says have a positive effect on
the body, and that many people don’t get enough of.

“Omega 3s contain EPA and DHA which positively affect
our brains, structurally improving cognition and mental health,”
says Dion. However, she adds that these items can be the more
expensive ones at the grocery store.

“My suggestions to people who are trying to incorporate these
foods into their lives is to keep an eye open for sales. Buying bulk
alone or pooling money together with friends can help cut costs,”
says Dion. She adds, “Costco is a great place to buy almonds and
walnuts and hemp seeds.”

Armed with knowledge about good fats, I’m ready to try some
of Dion’s snack suggestions, which include an apple with almond
butter. She also suggests canned sardines, which are a cost-effective
option and taste great chopped with dill, green onion, lemon, and
black pepper and served on a whole grain cracker or piece of toast.

 

 

( Victoria-brewed perfect Pilsner and whack Weizenbock

Have an idea for a story? Let us know!
Contact: Sophie Isbister, Life & Style Editor
Mlifeandstyle@theotherpress.ca

www. theotherpress.ca

Chilled-out island life

» Victoria's citizens lead a different way of life

  
  

al Julia Siedlanowska
| Staff Writer

e are all aware of the

different stereotypes
surrounding different cities
across the country, but are
some of them true? After a
weekend in Victoria, I sought to
make the discovery for myself.
Having interviewed some of
its citizens (mostly students at
the University of Victoria), and
through my own observations,
I’ve decided that some
stereotypes exist for a reason.

“People are less on time
here, there is definitely an island
time,” says Chase Hiebert,
originally from Alberta. “People
wear less black here. The
style is a lot more focussed
on practicality and comfort,
whereas in Calgary downtown
everything is angular.”

That I can attest to. Due to
sunny weather on my trip, the
island’s hippie stereotype was
reinforced by the appearance
of long flowing dresses and
jean jackets. A survey of the
latest MEC backpacks and rain
jackets was easily conducted
at the ferry terminal, where
dozens of students with bright
complexions came or went for
the weekend.

Everyone seemed relaxed,

: well-rested, and more beautiful
: as I left the mainland and

: stepped foot on the island.

: Even the obviously middle-aged :
: had a striking youthfulness

: tothem. Many people choose — :
: Victoria for a mini-vacation—be :
: ita nature adventure, touring

: the Parliament Building, or

: going to famous U-Vic parties.

: Since short-term visitors like

: myself can have a romanticized
: view of Victoria, I decided to

: consult some residents for a

: more balanced and thorough

: comparison of mainland life

: and island life.

“Because Victoria is so

much smaller than Vancouver,”
: says two-year resident Emma

: Hughes, “it’s hard to make

: connections if you aren’t forced
: into social situations like living
: on rez or joining a club.”

We often associate small

places with a feeling of
: community and connectedness, :
: but U-Vic student Alexa

: Carriére complains about a

: feeling of exclusivity. “It’s small
: but exclusionary to those who

: don’t wish to play along with

: the whole brunch culture :
; movement, kombucha brewing, :
: or public market hosting. It’s

: mostly old hipsters with lazy

: youth. And almost everything
: closes at six p.m.,” she says.

: To those who like that sort of

: lifestyle, Victoria is a haven.

: Filled with cafés and small

: markets with local handcrafted
: goods, it is the artisan’s island.

“There is a focus on the

arts here that you don’t find in
: Alberta because [Alberta is]

very industrially driven,” says

: Hiebert. “Victoria doesn’t have
: the oil sands right there so the
: artistic community is nurtured
: alot more, so that’s definitely
: affected the way I do my art.”

This pleasant feeling is

: found not only in the artistic

: community, but in the citizens
: and atmosphere as well.

: “Victoria as a city is rich with

: culture and collective attitude
: to just take life a little slower,”
: says Hughes. “In Vic it is

: extremely rare not to thank

: your bus driver, or pass up the
: Opportunity to talk with local
: artisans about their work.”

One of my favourite things

: about the island is how easy it

is to get around. Whether by

: bike or by bus, getting around

: in Victoria is much less stressful
: than on the mainland. And

: generally, the feeling is more

: relaxed.

Hughes puts it best, saying:
“Once the social barriers are

: broken, Victoria provides
: asubtle change of brain
: chemistry to just chill.”

YouTube Beauty Tutorial Classics

» How to tweeze perfect eyebrows

   

By Sophie Isbister, Life & Style Editor

(for guys & girls)

Kandee Johnson is a ray of sunshine on YouTube: her cheerful tutorials cover beauty basics,
fashion looks, and even tips for having an awesome day. Check out her old-but-good eyebrow
tutorial, suited for both guys and gals. Over one-million views can’t be wrong!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKiLfRjCkEY