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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, March 20, 2014 | 14 Living in an age where sensible nutrition is just not that simple hen I was growing up, safe and sensible nutrition seemed simple. Eat smart, stay hydrated, stick to the obvious essentials like fruits and vegetables, and avoid junk food. In other words, basically follow Canada's Food Guide. Alas, something has happened to us since the venerable guide was introduced in 1942. Over time, we've become a society beset by digestive disorders, food allergies, and assorted intolerances. Talk to anyone `of a certain age' and they'll tell you back in the day, it was rare to en- W That's Life Andy Juniper Guest Contributor counter anyone with a food allergy. Nowadays, food allergies are rampant and food intolerances are rife. For many, the simple act of eating has become an unpredictable adventure that often- times does not end well. Experts have assorted opinions on why allergies and intolerances are spiking: everything from an environment overwhelmed with pollutants to the Internet, which shines light on issues that otherwise would have remained in the dark. And then there's the harmful way we modify food, adding foreign ingredients like colorings, preservatives and additives -- you know, the stuff that gives a 100-year shelf life to foods that used to last about ve days. Recently, there was an excellent post on The Daily Beast website, titled Pizza Might Be Your Enemy. It opened with the admission by author Daniela Drake it's tough to say with scienti c certainty whether pizza poses a health threat with its gluten and saturated fats because "the science of nutrition is dismal." Also, there are unfathomable amounts of research out there, much of it contradictory. Consequently, doctors don't know what's what, or what to advise patients. And patients are running out of patience. So, where should we turn for information? Drake suggests researching the research of, ah, researchers who are on the cutting edge. Also, alternative practitioners, tness experts and some of those aforementioned frustrated patients "are gathering good data about the health effects of food." And many of these people believe pizza is indeed problematic. For starters, many reputable health bloggers are at war with wheat and gluten, which they believe is a common source of ailments ranging from abdominal pain to headaches and fatigue. As for the cheese on your pizza, Drake notes: "Many people do poorly on dairy. The symptoms can show up as a wide array of intractable health problems." Then there are the toppings. Ever heard of FODMAPs? That's Fermentable Oligosaccharides-Disaccharides-Monosaccharides and Polyols. FODMAPs encompass foods like the mushrooms and onions atop your pizza. These foods are poorly absorbed, they mess with gut bacteria and that can cause major bloating, to the point where low-FODMAPS diets are being successfully utilized to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS. So, yeah, for many people, pizza is indeed the enemy. And for those who are confused -- for those thinking, `hey, aren't mushrooms and onions healthy foods?' -- welcome to 2014, where safe and sensible nutrition is anything but simple. -- Andy Juniper can be contacted at ajjuniper@gmail.com, found on Facebook www.facebook.com, or followed on Twitter at www.twitter.com/thesportjesters. 905-815-9795 www.TACODELMAR.COM Co rn wa ll R Call the experts Kerry & Patricia for a free consultation Serving Oakville and the Halton Area North American Franchise with 180 + stores. Now serving all of Oakville. Check us out! Like us on Facebook to receive $1 off https://www.facebook.com/OakvilleTacoDelMar ind sor Dr. 1-620 Ford Drive, Oakville 905-845-TACO(8226) al W Roy For d d. Dr.