The Benefits of a Whole Food Based Diet

At Cal-a-Vie, our menus are carefully planned to provide the most nutritious and satisfying meals possible. To be both nutritionally and palate satisfying, our menus are based on whole foods. Whole foods are those with little or no processing, in their most original form and include fruits, vegetables, meats, nuts, legumes, and dairy products. Whole foods rarely contain added sugars, salt, or preservatives. Not only are whole foods brimming with vitamins and minerals, foods that are minimally processed contain beneficial compounds that are often removed during processing. These vital food components can provide appetite control, improve energy levels, and protect our bodies from disease.

By increasing your intake of whole foods, you will obtain a greater variety of nutrients in the most bio-available form and need fewer supplements. Best of all,
by eating whole foods, you are eating nothing but what nature intended!
As the Registered Dietitian at Cal-a-Vie, it is my goal to provide you with practical knowledge and motivation on how to improve your health and well-being by choosing to feed your body the most nutritious foods available…whole foods.

Nutritionist

Linda Illingworth, RD

Rejuvenation starts on the inside with good nutrition. Linda Illingworth, Cal-a-Vie’s exclusive Registered Dietitian, offers individual counseling sessions to treat each guest’s nutritional concerns. Linda received her bachelor’s degree in nutrition at California State University, Long Beach and completed her internship at St. Luke’s Hospital in Milwaukee, equipping her to examine the role of behavior in nutrition.

With over 20 years of experience counseling individuals and educating groups at health clubs and in private practice, Linda gives guests practical dietary advice for better physical and mental health, allowing them to alter their personal regime when they return home without drastically complicating their lives. Keeping up-to-date on the sound research in nutrition and behavior, supplementation and eating habits, guests leave with a fresh focus on health. She provides guests with a nutritional analysis of meal plans and recipes upon request.

Healthy Snacks on the Run

Living life to its fullest and nourishing our bodies don’t always go hand in hand in our busy lives. With a little planning we can change that and truly live life to the fullest when our bodies are well nourished! Stocking your pantry or office with a few basics can help prevent “recreational eating” and redefine “grabbing the first thing you see”, to be something good for you.

• Keep a bowl of fresh fruit on the counter (Yes, even at the office!) Choose apples, pears, oranges, and grapes for vital fibers, lignans, and lots of phytonutrients!
•Dried fruit provides a concentrated source of energy, fiber, and nutrients.
Try cranberries, apples, raisins, cherries
•Nuts provide quick protein, fiber and healthy fats. Include walnuts, peanuts, and almonds
•Stock your fridge with V-8 juice, fruit juice, sparkling water or individual soymilks
•Keep whole grain crackers handy as an addition to lunch instead of chips or fries
•Low fat string cheese and yogurt are great sources of protein, calcium and even probiotics for a healthy digestive tract.
•Take edamame to the office! Buy individual frozen portions, defrost at the office and enjoy a meatless protein, healthy source of omega 3’s and fiber.