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Vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin and depression
Could Vitamin D the sunshine vitamin, often automatically associated with healthy bones, help ease your depression? With a substantial amount of research supporting a positive link between vitamin D deficiency and depression, this freely available nutrient could be part of your treatment plan. Even though here in Australia we have an abundance of sunshine, well…
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Chocolate, the natural mood booster!
Have you ever noticed how chocolate acts as a natural mood-booster? You might have felt low or on edge and devoured chocolate for an instant “pick-me-up”. So, it might be no surprise to you that good quality chocolate has been highly-regarded for its medicinal qualities for centuries with its first use dating back to as…
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The effects of sleep on your mood
Sleep often goes hand in hand with mood and the good news is that dietary modifications and/or some key nutrients with lifestyle measures may make the world of difference. Back in the day we would go to sleep when the sun went down and wake up in sync with sunrise. This daily cycle of light…
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Food – is what you eat making your sick?
Food allergies and intolerances are becoming increasingly more prevalent in Australia, with more than 20% of people in industrialised countries suffering from food allergies or intolerances. In some instances, the link between a food sensitivity and health issues is not always obvious but research is finding that the effects on health can be far-reaching and,…
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Sugar sweet and dangerous
Sugar is one of the most popular and ubiquitous substances in our diets today, both sweet and dangerous. At times its presence is obvious but sometimes, it’s not easy to discern or to necessarily taste. Nonetheless you’ve probably seen its effects in action. You may have noticed the behaviour of young children, especially the ones…
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The great FAT debate
Are you puzzled by the great fat debate? Should you avoid saturated fat? Ditch the butter? Eat polyunsaturated spreads? Or forget about low-fat options and go for full fat? During the latter part of the 20th century, the humble saturated fat was vilified and shunned by nations worldwide as it became maligned as the cause…
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Gluten-Free: health fad or healthy?
Is it a fad or is it a healthy way to eat? Or is it just another marketing ploy? One thing’s for sure, with 513 million results on google for “gluten-free” (GF) and multi-million dollars in annual sales of gluten-free products, it’s certainly popular and here to stay. What’s gluten? Gluten is a type of…
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How healthy is your microbiome?
With about 70% of our immune system being housed in our gastrointestinal tract or gut, keeping our microbiome healthy should be a top priority for all of us. It’s home to trillions of beneficial bacterial cells which outnumber our human cells by up to 10 times. Research in recent years is also linking the balance…
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10 Steps to Business as Usual.
With many companies returning to business as usual over the coming weeks, I wonder what steps businesses have taken to make it a smooth and healthy transition for their employees. I’m sure that there will be many hand sanitisers dotted around workplaces and social distancing strategies implemented, as an integral part of an infection control…
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5 nutritious must-haves
I really hadn’t appreciated the implications of self-isolation until I had it thrust upon me when I returned from Auckland a few days ago. Walking the dog, seeing friends or visiting the local shops are all out of bounds for me for 14 days. As a nutritionist I love food shopping and have always taken…
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Why your body deserves Organic foods
Are Organic Foods really better for you or just a pricey fad? It’s a great question, especially when you consider that it’s a billion-dollar industry here in Australia. Nutritionally, environmentally and economically, the foods we choose to eat today create consequences tomorrow. Perhaps you want to enjoy great tasting food, are seeking to remedy or prevent…
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Sugar, the Bitter-sweet Truth
Sugar, could you be addicted? Sugar, fructose, glucose, lactose, maltose, stevia, xylitol, dextrose, honey, agave, high-fructose corn syrup, maple syrup, rapadura, cane juice…sugar has so many guises that it can be incredibly hard to avoid! But is sugar really necessary? Or is all sugar bad for you? Do you need to quit sugar completely to…
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How potent is your cabbage?!
Not just a humble cabbage You’re probably aware that if you’ve had antibiotics that you should follow through with a course of probiotics, but did you know that the humble cabbage can be a source of potent probiotics? You’ll get far more strains and total numbers of good bacteria by eating a tablespoon of good, old…
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Want to look 5-years younger?!
Want to look 5-years younger? Want to look 5-years younger? My husband reckons that this was the effect of my 30-minutes sauna the other day! He might have been winding me up, but I really did feel invigorated and glowing after it. If you think having a sauna is just something you do when you are…
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Food allergies and your health issues.
Could food allergies be causing your health issues? Do you suffer from unexplained headaches, migraines, lethargy, poor sleep, depression, anxiety or digestive issues? Does your child have learning and/or behavioural problems? If so, the answer could be YES. Our food has changed alarmingly over the last 40 years and has brought with it a dramatic increase in food-related…
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Soy: REAL food or not?
SOY: REAL food or not? Soy milk, soy cheese, soy yoghurt, soy-milk formula, edamame, tofu, tempeh, veggie burgers, miso, soy sauce…it’s everywhere, but is it good for you? Does the end product bare any resemblance to the soya bean in its natural state? Or is it just another heavily-processed product, adulterated by human intervention and…
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Is it your hormones or something else?
We’ve all heard it before “It’s just hormonal”…but is it really? Could it be the cumulative effect of the Dirty Dozen Endocrine Disruptors? Here’s a quick summary of the TOP 12 toxins from the Environmental Working Group. 1. BPA: Bisphenol AScary to think that a chemical used in plastics can mimic the naturally-occuring oestrogen in your…
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Weight-loss: the missing link!
Are you ready for Summer? Or should that read “Is Summer ready for you?!” Struggling to lose those last few kilos before you can comfortably squeeze into your swimming togs? Desperately tried every diet under the sun? Tired of boot-camp? So what’s the missing link? Perhaps it’s time to take a closer look at what’s going…
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Sweet Dehydration
Sweet Dehydration Love pineapple but can’t be doing with the luscious mess? Or need an apple a day without the crunch? Then I highly recommend a dehydrator. Meet my new best friend! Maybe you struggle with your 5 serves of veggies and 2 of fruit a day. Well, eating dehydrated foods is a great way…
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Fruity Spring!
I love the start of Spring. Flowers are starting to blossom and my favourite fruits are coming into season. I just can’t get enough mangoes and cherries! And to enjoy mangoes for longer you can dehydrate them when they are cheap and plentiful so that you can enjoy them right throughout the year. Or if you don’t have a…
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Sprouting sprouts!
Sprouting sprouts. Want to eat healthier and grow your own food? One of the easiest, cheapest and quickest ways is by sprouting sprouts. You won’t believe how easy it is. No fancy equipment or green fingers needed! SPROUTED CHICK-PEAS, GREEN LENTILS & MUNG BEANS– soak 2 tbsp of dry chick-peas and 1 tbsp each of lentils & mung…
Women’s Health Nutritionist: NDIS, Mental Health & Metabolic Balance
