Before we get started, let’s define ‘healthy’. There’s a much larger conversation happening around this word in the wellness industry right now. I personally think there’s an element that’s individualised to defining healthy beyond baseline metrics. As a nutritionist, it means having a variety of produce items with other food groups to create nutrient dense meals. As a food lover, it’s being seasonally conscious for the best versions of items possible...

Hair starts to fall out within one to three weeks after starting chemotherapy and may become noticeable one to two months later. Some scalps become tender and extremely sensitive to the touch. Some people cut their hair shorter before chemo to make the transition less stressful. But if you’ve already begun chemo, it might not be worthwhile. When you’re ready to shave, use electric clippers, not razors, and never clip down to the scalp. Leave an inch in length, especially if...

Nutrition following surgery The type of surgery you have will determine what and when you can eat after surgery. Surgeries involving the mouth, throat, abdomen, or digestive tract will likely lead to more restricted diets. Once you are able to progress beyond clear liquids, an anti-inflammatory, nutrient-dense diet high in vegetables, fruits, whole grains and sources of high quality protein for at least two weeks (but ideally six weeks) after surgery is recommended  Pain control after...

Mindfulness is to be fully in the present moment without interference from the past or the future. The present is where reality resides, where we can be fully alive, make changes, and to work on problems that arise in the here and now. The past is gone and what’s done is done – we cannot change the past. As much as we would like to undo a problem or take back something we said, it is forever a part of the past that we cannot revisit. The future is not here yet, but some people tr...

New research has examined the care planning priorities of older adults with advanced bladder cancer and found that these patients want more transparency when it comes to communication with their care providers and treatment. The study, published in the Journal of Geriatric Oncology, was led by Elizabeth Kessler, MD, a University of Colorado Cancer Center member, and associate professor of medical oncology at the CU School of Medicine. She found that patients want to be engaged in their trea...

Hot flushes are reported by over 80% of women taking tamoxifen and other hormonal blockers. Causing distress and impacting quality of life, they may last the duration of the treatment and beyond. This level of discomfort causes many women to take holidays from, or stop taking altogether, their hormonal treatments and complicate their treatment plan. Research shows that Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), the main treatment for symptoms of natural menopause, is contraindicated for breast ...