EZ Melts Health Blog

Read Time: 3 minutes Nutrition is one of the biggest influencing factors on our health and wellbeing, so it’s probably why people are always trying to modify their diets to meet their wellness goals. Living gluten-free is becoming increasingly popular in mainstream culture, with celebrities and health influencers alike touting its many benefits. However, a gluten-free diet for people with certain health conditions like Celiac’s Disease is not a choice; it’s mandatory.  It’s hard to know fact from fiction surrounding gluten with so much information circulating out there, so let’s break down some common gluten-free facts and myths. Gluten-Free Diet Myths and Facts Gluten is Bad. Myth. Gluten isn’t bad or good. It’s simply a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye grains. Our bodies don’t have the enzymes needed to metabolize the proteins in gluten completely.  But good news: our immune system can help with that, and unprocessed gluten ends up in the small intestines on its way out. You Can Lose A Lot of Weight By Going Gluten-Free. Myth. There is such a wide spectrum of nutrient-dense and nutrient-void foods that it’s possible to lose OR gain weight if you go gluten-free, depending on pre-existing medical conditions and/or food choices. Many gluten-free foods are higher in fat and carbs while being low in fiber and whole grains, and the latter are needed for metabolism and digestion.  A Gluten Allergy Is the Same as a Gluten Sensitivity. Myth. There is actually no such thing as a gluten allergy. A gluten sensitivity, or gluten intolerance, is a non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS).  With NCGS you may feel sick or bloated. Someone with Celiac’s who eats gluten can negatively impact their health in the long run. If You Suffer From a Wheat Allergy You Must Follow a Gluten-Free Diet. Myth. A wheat allergy doesn’t equal a gluten allergy as well. Gluten is a protein found in wheat. Gluten-free foods are often made with wheat, and some foods that are labeled wheat-free contain gluten. If you have either a wheat allergy or gluten sensitivity, make sure you learn how to read the label.  If You’re Allergic to Wheat and Eat It, It Can Result in a Severe Reaction. Fact. Consuming gluten won’t cause an immediate life-threatening reaction in people with gluten intolerance or Celiac’s. However, eating wheat with a wheat allergy CAN definitely result in a severe reaction, as any food allergy can do.  Gluten is Only Found in Wheat. Myth. People think that gluten is only found in wheat, but it is a binding protein found in rye and barley as well.  A Gluten-Free Diet Can Help With Diabetes Management. Fact/Myth. The jury is out on this one. Foods with heavy carbohydrates create a glucose imbalance in people with diabetes.  Avoiding gluten doesn’t necessarily help manage diabetes. While gluten is found in products with carbohydrates, gluten itself does not affect blood glucose levels. For example, there are sauces, cooking ingredients, soups, and other sources low on carbs that contain gluten.  Other studies suggest that there could be a link between diabetes and a diet high in gluten. It’s always best to consult a medical professional before starting a new diet, especially when you have pre-existing health conditions. Gluten-Free Supplements EZ Melts supplements fit your diet and lifestyle, regardless of whether you eat gluten or not. Our vitamins are gluten-free, non-GMO, vegan, sugar-free, and free from the nine most common allergens. We make it EZ to get the nutrition you need with our fast-melting supplements! 

Read Time: 5 minutes It’s not wise to use blanket statements, but in this case, we think it’s appropriate to assume most people enjoy going out to eat or have a few drinks to unwind. There are no dishes, no mess to clean up in your kitchen, and no time-consuming food prep required to enjoy a night out at a restaurant, bar, or lounge.  However, for people with food allergies who are limited in what they can order off a menu, it can be hard to feel included in a night out. It can be a huge source of stress to try and find an option that won’t make them sick—or worse. While some restaurants and venues are knowledgeable about food allergens and train their staff accordingly, there are still many places that are unable to guarantee their menu items are allergen-free. Do you have an allergy? Minimize the stress and hassle of planning a night out with these five tips.  Be the Fearless Food Leader Worried a loved one might forget about your allergy when they make a reservation? Are your group of friends trying to find a brewery to meet up after work?  Instead of worrying about what venue they might pick, take control and ownership of the plans. It’s worth having a conversation with close friends and family about your needs, and tell them that it would be less stressful for everyone involved if you picked a place you know is going to have safe options.  They will probably appreciate your initiative to assume the responsibility of the planning, and you eliminate the anxiety of wondering if you can even order.  Keep a List for Easy Decision-Making Are you finding it hard to keep track of all the safe places to eat out? Or maybe you always recommend this one restaurant, but your partner wants to switch it up this weekend.  Save a note on your phone with a list of two or three options you like for each cuisine you enjoy. Whether it’s Italian, Thai, or Indian, you’ll always have some backup places when a family member is feeling picky.  Look Online and Call Ahead Now we know it’s not fair to make planning a night out always fall on one person just because they have allergies. Inevitably, there will be a day when your friend really wants to check out the newest nightlife spot in town, or you don’t have time to assume the responsibility.  The easiest solution these days is to look online for a menu, then call the venue or restaurant in advance to double-check that they have cocktails and food you can safely order.  For example, if you have gluten intolerance and are going to a brewery for beers with some coworkers, check the menu online and call the venue to ask if they have gluten-free options like ciders or hard liquor alternatives to beer, which typically contain this allergen. There are also apps that track allergies at restaurants and bars so that you can feel further assured before heading out for the evening. Order Simple The closer to whole, unpackaged, and raw, the less likely it will be that the food you order contains allergens. Obviously don’t play hard and fast with your health, but a good way to guide your decision is to look for menu items that contain as little as possible in their ingredients and are in their natural state (think organic vegetables, fruits, meat without GMOs, etc.)  In addition, it’s a good rule of thumb to stay away from fried dishes or meals with a lot of sauces. Oils, dressing, and marinades with a lot of ingredients are harder to quality control, as they are often bought by the restaurant from a third party or have a lot of preservatives that could be cross-contaminated.  Share Your Concerns and Ask the Staff Questions Many hosts and serves will now ask if anyone in the party has food allergies, but if they don’t take that precaution, make sure you do. When a staff member doesn’t ask, it doesn’t mean there isn’t contamination. Ask questions to gauge their knowledge of their food and beverages. Some questions could be: Is there a chance for cross-contamination? What oils or marinades do you use and can you say for certain that a dish does not have this specific ingredient? Does the kitchen cook food separately when they are told there is an allergy?  If they aren’t certain or can’t tell you for sure, don’t feel bad about leaving to find another place. Worrying about what the staff or your loved ones will think if you get up and walk out is not as important as your health and safety. Besides, we would like to think your friends and family would be equally as concerned as you.  Allergen-Free Supplements You Can Feel Good About  If you’re looking for further ways to get good nutrition but have allergies, find supplements that are guaranteed to be free of the Big Nine Allergens.  Our vitamins are non-GMO, vegan, sugar-free, and free of artificial flavors and cross-contamination with the nine most common allergens. We make it EZ to get the nutrition you need with our fast-melting supplements!

Gut health is a reference to the amount and functionality of good bacteria in your digestive tract. You may associate bacteria with words like “dirty” and “gross”, but hold up! Bacteria might seem like outside invaders, but in fact, you actually have more bacterial cells than human cells in your body at any given time. This “good” bacteria is essential to your digestive system, metabolism, organ health, and your energy levels. Good bacteria allows the gut to “talk” to your hormones, brain, and nervous system. Gut health also plays a role in supporting your immune system and lowering our likelihood of disease. In fact, without a healthy gut with millions of good bacteria functioning properly, it would be hard to survive! Here are some signs and symptoms of an unbalanced gut, and a few ways to kick it into high gear!   3 Signs of Poor Gut Health There are many cautionary signs of your gut being imbalanced, but here are three big ones to watch for. Sugary Diets If you eat a lot of processed foods high in sugar, or add a lot of sugar to everything, it could decrease the good bacteria in your digestive system, and create nasty symptoms especially for those with IBS. In addition, sugar crashes and cravings can make it even worse! Try to aim for less than 25g a day for females, and 36g for males, according to the American Heart Association.   Restless Sleep and Constant Grogginess Poor gut health is linked to feeling constantly fatigued! In addition, many scientists believe that your gut microbiome impacts your serotonin levels and sleep quality. This is because most of the serotonin is made in the gut, and serotonin directly affects the quality of your sleep.   Stomach and Intestinal Issues Is your stomach constantly upset or you feel nauseous frequently? Do you have a lot of issues with your digestion? This could be connected to your gut bacteria. When your gut is healthy, it is able to digest food more quickly and eliminate waste effectively. Dysfunctional gut bacteria, however, may lead to inflammation and indigestion, which results in feeling sick, having constipation or diarrhea, and other unpleasant symptoms.   3 Habits for Good Gut Health Fortunately, there are things you can try at home in combination with consulting your doctor if you are experiencing these or other symptoms. Only Take Antibiotics When You Need Them  It used to be common practice to take antibiotics at the first sign of infection, but more often now, you will hear medical providers tell you only to take if absolutely necessary. Definitely listen to your doctor, but also make sure you really need to. Don’t self-diagnose! Taking antibiotics can be harmful because they not only kill the bad bacteria, but wipe out a lot of the good bacteria in your gut as well.   Practice Good Sleep Hygiene You have heard us say this before, but the practice of getting quality sleep is linked to your gut health! This is because of the strong gut-brain connection--they communicate with each other all the time. So, if your brain is not getting adequate rest, it can affect your digestive system’s function! If you find it hard to sleep at night, try EZ Melts all-natural Essential Sleep Bundle, with melatonin and l-theanine. Take them both before bedtime to ensure your body knows it is time to hit the hay.   Eat High-Fiber Foods and Drink Water This might sound simple--and that’s because it is! Staying hydrated is essential to gut health as it supports the intestinal lining, where your bacteria lives and breaks down your food! Also, eating a diet rich in fiber is vital for speedy digestion and getting the maximum nutritional benefits from your food.    Go With Your Gut Listening to your gut and reading your body’s physical cues is important in ensuring that your gut microbiome is functioning properly. You’ll find that your quality of life takes a huge hit without a happy gut. It communicates with your entire body, meaning it needs all the support it can get for its good bacteria. Go with your gut--make sure you are taking care of it! EZ Melts Difference--Zero Sugar Natural supplements like EZ Melts vitamins are a great way to make all essential vitamins and minerals bioavailable to your metabolism. Try our all-natural, zero sugar supplements! The best part about choosing EZ Melts? Our tablets are fast melting, EZ to take, and have delicious customer-approved flavors. In addition, all our supplements have zero sugar, zero chemical additives, are vegan, and non-GMO. Still be sure to talk to your doctor about if EZ Melts supplements are right for your needs. Thanks for being a part of our community!  ___ Written by Annie-Eliza Stevens