Realistic Nutritional Road Map for the Real World

Leslie Beck has helped thousands of Canadians live fuller, more robust lives. As Director of Nutrition at the Medcan Clinic, she has provided care to clients looking to optimize their heath and athletic performance through improved nutrition. Her venerable presence at Medcan Canada is a huge draw to the facility. The Medcan Clinic is Canada's leading preventive healthcare clinic, dedicated to keeping busy people healthy. Having built a team of outstanding clinicians across a number of medical specialties, Medcan's experience within the Canadian healthcare system allow the clinic to be active advocates for clients. Medcan is the premiere health management center for executive teams from leading Canadian corporations, as well as individuals interested in aggressively managing their health and well being.

As one of Canada's leading nutritionists, Beck operates a successful private practice in the heart of downtown Toronto at the Medcan Clinic. Her integrative practice offers clients dietary advice, personalized meal plans and science-based recommendations on the use of nutritional supplements. She oversees the development and delivery of all nutrition programs.

After years at the forefront of her specialty, the very telegenic Beck is recognized by the media as an authority on nutrition and food issues and is an experienced communicator in television, radio and print media. She writes a popular weekly column in The Globe and Mail, Canada's national newspaper and appears weekly on CTV as Canada AM's nutrition expert. She is one of the"most-forwarded" writers in Canada, as mothers forward Beck's articles to daughters, and sisters forward Beck's valuable advice onto sisters.

In Heart Healthy Foods for Life, leading Canadian nutritionist and registered dietitian Leslie Beck explains how certain foods protect you from developing risk factors for heart disease and, ultimately, atherosclerosis and heart attack. Her indispensable guide is the definitive road map for women dedicated to making pro-active, smart choices when it comes to cardiac health. The book is clear and concise in limiting the intake of foods that can harm your heart, and promotes adding heart healthy foods to your daily diet. Complete with over 100 easy and everyday recipes that help prevent heart disease, Heart Healthy Foods for Life is a book geared toward real life - the working moms, the time-crunched exec, the aging boomer. Beck shows you how easy it is to turn heart healthy ingredients into delicious meals.

This is essential reading for any woman interested in wellness. I especially appreciated the section on understanding heart disease and assessing your personal risk. Beck is also up on the most cutting edge intelligence on the key vitamins, minerals, and supplements for heart health. Her meal plans lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and prevent heart disease. In the modern world of juggling schedules, conveinence is key and Beck's tips for grocery shopping and dining out are a refreshing reality check from nutrionionists who presume women readers have cabana boys to slice and dice fresh fruit and domestic "interns" to do all the grocery shopping. Her strategies to maintain a healthy weight and increase exercise are realistic and address the psychological side of having packed on a few pounds over the years. The best part, her delicious heart healthy recipes come with a complete nutritional analysis.

"There's never been a more important time for a book like this. As a nation, Canadians face a steep uphill climb to getting a handle on heart health," Beck says to me over tea and savory lentil soup at Holt's Cafe. I have admired Beck's scientific approach to nutrition and dedicated, customized client-focused practice. Sitting down to break bread with this national expert is quite a gift. I ask her to tell us about the risk factors and how to realistically cope with what you've inherited. "Coronary heart disease kills more Canadians than any other disease," she explains. "Moreover, the majority of Canadians - eight out of ten - have at least one risk factor for developing it. Risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, type 2 diabetes, smoking, physical inactivity, and unhealthy eating habits."

"The more you know, the more you educate yourself, the more prepared you'll be. Talk about the issues openly with family members. Make a pact to enjoy healthy meals together and continue look out for each other," Beck advises. "The good news is that many risk factors for heart disease can be prevented or controlled by making heart healthy changes to your diet and lifestyle. It's all in having a positive attitude."

By Si Si Penaloza, Editorial Director, WOMAN.ca

Si Si Penaloza
		About the author:
		Si Si has cultivated strong ties with editors, producers and publishers at all major Canadian media outlets. She is a seasoned print, radio and broadcast specialist. Graduating Magna Cum Laude from Bowdoin College in Maine, Si Si moved to Manhattan to study Film at New York University. Her strengths lie in contextualizing relevant content for a broad audience. She's driven to stay competitive and at the top of the market - commissioning exclusive features and launching bold initiatives.
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