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nutritionist - dubai

With the dawn of affordable DNA testing, the world is now gripped by the wonderful notion of personalized diets. According to this concept, your genomes and the food you consume interact to create a life-long impact on your health. Many nutritionists in Dubai and all across the world are now looking into nutrigenomics- the study of how nutrition influences the expression of the genome. By studying an individual’s DNA test results, nutritionists are now identifying how food components interact with the cells, organs and the whole body.

Personalized nutrition has become analogous to personalized medicine. While the food market produces foods and products based on long-time consumer science, the introduction of nutrigenomics has brought new preferences and requirements among the consumers, which is slowly impacting the mainstream food production industry.

In this blog, we will discuss how personalized nutrition based on nutrigenomics must be approached.

Rule no.1: Understand that there is no ‘one diet for all’

As nutrigenomics is based on the individual DNA test results, one thing has become clear to nutritionists- There is no single diet that works best for all. No two individuals respond the same way to the same dietary interventions. Even people with similar metabolism, blood sugar levels, and cholesterol levels respond differently to the same diet. While some people lose more when they reduce carbs, others lose more weight when they increase complex carbs and reduce fats. 

All these point to the same thing. For unique results, it is best to skip trial and error methods and go for individual diet plans based on their DNA test results. Results from the PREDICT study by researchers from Kings College in London and Harvard Medical School also reassured the role of genetics and individual make up which translated into people’s unique responses to food. So what else is there to know about nutrigenomics?

Rule no.2: Understand that genes alone are not the deciding factors

While we stated that genes play a key role in deciding an individual response to diets, it is NOT the only factor. Most DNA testings will account for insights into how each individual reacts to carbohydrates and saturated fats, other factors like exercise, sleep habits, stress responses and even gut microbes play equally important roles.

The important thing to remember here is that personalized diets has to consider the individual as a whole to be able to give the best results. Although DNA test based diets work in favor of individual health goals, the results can be improved by managing stress levels, improving sleep quality and putting in the right amount of exercise. 

Rule no.3: Consume fresh vegetables in the meantime

In ideal circumstances, every food item you consume must help you stay fit and healthy. Even when the principles of eating healthy looks complicated, the one thing everyone should do is to put your trust in fresh vegetables. 

Plant-based diets are higher in carbohydrates. But for most people, these diets can really help their body settle into a rhythm, without starving them of the essential nutrients.

Having detailed information about your genome, biomarkers, daily habits and microbiome (gut health) are all ways to empower our nutritionists in Dubai to help prepare the best suited dietary plans. Even when you get the right meal plan, remember that what ultimately matters is your dedication and perseverance towards healthy living and complete wellness.

Detox program

Have you ever wondered how your everyday life can impact the world around you?

Like every other living being on the planet, each and everything we do leaves some impression on nature. Did you know that something as trivial as our daily food wastage is negatively impacting the earth? According to the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization, roughly 30% of food is wasted globally across the supply chain. Unknown to many, this contributes to 8% of the total greenhouse gas emissions in the world. 

Gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, and hydrofluorocarbons are produced and emitted from food production to the use of our refrigerators. Taking the amount of metal cans, cardboard boxes and plastic packing into consideration, which we get when buying food, we are all generating a lot of waste, thereby contributing in one way or another to climate change. Overall, we can say that reducing food waste is one way to reverse the effects of global warming. 

Recent studies by Project Drawdown tell us that reducing food waste and resorting to good recycling practices can reduce more than 70 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

But how do we do this? What can we, as individuals and families do to help reduce greenhouse emissions? Apart from switching to natural products as part of your personal detox program, there are more ways in which you can lead a life of wellness; by reducing your food wastage and by starting a bokashi composting. Here’s two:

Why we recommend bokashi

Unlike other composting methods, Bokashi composting is an anaerobic process that relies on the inoculated barn with Lactobacilli to ferment kitchen waste including dairy and meat. As the input waste is fermented by bacteria and not decomposed, the process doesn’t emit any greenhouse gases or heat. The fermented matter is then directly fed to fields or garden soil, virtually taking all the carbon, energy and nutrients in it to enter the soil food web.

How we do it at The Hundred

Since we realized the impact of ‘seemingly harmless’ food waste on the environment, we were researching alternate ways to manage our organic waste. On learning about bokashi composting, we started using the method to manage the vegetable wastes from our daily meals as well as the waste generated from the 100 cafe. 

During the fermentation process, the breakdown of the input releases liquid runoff, which is high in proteins, nutrients, and lactic acid. Occasionally we drain and collect this liquid, known as the “bokashi tea”, dilute it with water and sprinkle it over a targeted area of the soil. This ensures that all of the nutritional value of the waste is utilized to feed the soil ecosystem, along with solid matter at a later stage.

Bokashi is also a hygienic waste management method due to the amount of lactic acid it produces. Lactic acid is a strong natural bactericide with antimicrobial properties. As more of the acid is produced during the fermentation process, it suppresses the lactobacilli, slowing down the fermentation and eventually stopping it.

As a result, the fermentation bin does not release any smell when it is closed. On average, this bin must be opened only for a minute or so in a day to add the input waste or to drain off via the tap.  Once the bokashi compost is ready for use, we dig trenches in our garden adding the waste and covering it over with soil. When we see our garden in full bloom, we say a silent thank you to the bokashi.

Bokashi Compost is one simple way in which you can reduce the everyday carbon emissions in your household. It’s a perfect detox program you can provide for the environment. By reducing food waste and composting it efficiently, we can all take small steps in making this world a better place to live.

 

earth day

At The Hundred Wellness Centre, our mission is to empower others to live healthier, happier, more intentional lives. Lives where you are consciously choosing the kind of food you eat, who you surround yourself with, how you move your body, and even the things you do in your spare time.

On April 22nd we join people around the globe to celebrate ‘Earth Day‘, but truth be told.. in our little Hundred Wellness world, Earth Day is every single day! Every choice we make as a business and as a team is a conscious one, with the community’s health, and the wellness of the planet in mind.

To show you how easy it can be to do the same, we listed a few small things you can do to make every day ‘Earth Day’:

01. Use canvas or reusable bags – Get yourself some reusable bags and keep them in your car, and the next time you are in the grocery store, simply decline plastic bags from cashier. Scientists estimate that every square mile of ocean contains approximately 46,000 pieces of plastic floating in it. And believe it or not, you CAN make an impact on those numbers by making this small change to your grocery store visits, and encouraging your friends to do the same.

02. Clean your home with non-toxic household cleaners – Most people don’t think of their household cleaners as pollutants. Just because these products do their job by cleaning, it doesn’t mean they aren’t also harmful. So instead of using the toxic cleaners, you can purchase some non-toxic cleaners (we love Ecabiotic), or maybe even make your own alternative cleaners to keep your home safer… and squeaky clean!

03. Learn to love a plant-based diet- Research done by Oxford University shows that when it comes to climate change, following a plant-based diet could cut food-related emissions by 70%. Now we are not saying that you should give up meat completely, but doing your best to lower your intake of animal products is definitely a great start.

04. Buy organic foods and products – According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations: “By opting for organic products, the consumer through his/her purchasing power promotes a less polluting agricultural system”.  So when you go to the grocery store or farmer’s market, depending on what you purchase there, you are contributing to the type of agriculture system you want to support. So support a local organic system (like IGRUAE) that doesn’t use synthetic herbicides and pesticides, these chemicals are not only foreign to your body, but also harmful to the water, air and environment too!

These were just a few examples, but there are tons of ways we can make a positive impact for Earth day. If you need more ideas please do get in touch with us and our team will be happy to help!

And this year, as you go through Earth Day, (and the other 364 days of the year) remember to keep this quote in your mind –

“I don’t want to protect the environment. I want to create a world where the environment doesn’t need protecting.” – Unknown

 

Asma 2016

It surely has been an exciting year for all of us at The Hundred Wellness Centre and the whole world that is for sure – so a heartfelt “thank you” filled with gratitude is in order! Over the past 12 months, our team has grown, we have added additional wellness services and new classes, we conducted more free talks and events to bring our amazing community together, in conjunction with The Wellness Brothers we facilitated the successful Sheikh Majid Weight Loss Initiative, we held our weekly Saturday organic market with IGR |Integrated Green Resources UAE, our logo has been revampedI fulfilled my dream of running the London Half Marathon and I was honored to be invited by Dr Jill Biden the US second wife on her last visit to the UAE, to deliver a special speech to students in celebration of International Women’s Day, and these are just to name a few!

We are now at the point in the year when everyone has their New Years resolutions ready to go, however I am not a big fan of writing New Years resolutions as I feel they are challenging to maintain. I believe in setting conscious sustainable long term goals. What I normally do by the end of each year is write a list of what I want to achieve in all areas of my life to set my intentions for the new year, and gain more clarity and direction.

So if your goal is to lose weight (which most people have on their list), and live a healthy lifestyle, then begin with small steps, rather than going full fledge in January or deciding to go Vegan! Do something everyday towards your goal, even if it is simple, and set dated milestones. It also helps to have an accountability buddy, so you can encourage and keep eachother on track. Most importantly be conscious and serious about any changes you want to make in your life. Another end of year list I write is a gratitude list. I reflect on all the good things that have happened to me over the year and give thanks.

On a slightly different note, I have noticed that lately alot of people have taken to social media expressing how 2016 has been a tough year. I say let’s change that energy! Let’s look at what went well, fully aknowledging that we can perceive something as bad, but still know that in the long run it actually is always good for us, no matter what it was. I once read something that really stuck with me, and that is: when a flower dies, it makes space for a new one to grow. I want to invite you all to join me, and work on changing your perceptions in the coming year. Make it a habit to write three new and specific things daily that you are grateful for, and see for yourself how this small exersize changes the way you too can look at things…

So as 2016 comes to an end, lets agree to consciously ring in the new year with some great intentions and goals, and remember above all else to LOVE yourself! From me and the The Hundred Wellness Centre team, we wish you love, happiness and health in the new year. And remember we are just next door, ready to extend our knowledge and expertise to help you live your most healthy happy life.

Do you feel that? That’s a cool breeze Dubai, and the start of the winter season… And with the winter season comes the return of our weekly organic farmer’s market. Hip hip hooray!

In partnership with Integrated Green Resources (IGR), every Saturday from 9am until 1pm The Hundred Wellness Centre is proud to offer you some of the very best local, organic produce at reasonable prices. A variety of UAE-grown fruit and vegetables are available including kale, cucumbers, broccoli, apples, fresh herbs, squash, carrots, cauliflower, chilis, capsicums and so much more.

So what are you waiting for: Pick up your fresh groceries for the week and nourish your body in the very best way possible – with local, organic fruit and veg… See you next Saturday?

organic farmers market

The Hundred Wellness Centre Organic Farmer’s Market in partnership with IGR runs every Saturday  from 9am until 1pm at The Hundred Wellness Centre – click here for the exact location and contact details.

Quinoa is an impressive plant-based complete protein such as, soybeans, amaranth, buckwheat, spirulina, and hemp & chia seeds. Quinoa is packed with many vitamins and minerals including: Heart-healthy monounsaturated fat (oleic acid), and omega-3 fatty acid (a-linolenic acid), Antioxidant phytonutrients called flavonoids, Essential minerals including manganese, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, zinc, copper, selenium, Vitamins: B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, E, and Soluble and insoluble fiber. Phew! Stuffed into bell peppers for a power dose of Vitamin-C, and you might already have had your multi-vitamin pill placed on one very colorful, filling and healthy tasty dish! We hope you enjoy this addictive recipe that can last in your fridge for 4 days meaning, your meals are pre-prepared for you healthily and tastes better by the day. Enjoy!

Roasted Peppers stuffed with Quinoa and Feta Cheese | www.thehundred.ae
Roasted Peppers stuffed with Quinoa and Feta Cheese | www.thehundred.ae

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