Our seasoning of choice is usually salt, but as mentioned in a previous post, having too much salt may lead to serious health problems. So as part of keeping our bodies well and healthy, we need to keep an eye on our salt intake. Also less healthy foods are often high salt foods too, which means healthy eating goes hand-in-hand with low-salt eating.
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It’s a word we hear often, but many of us are not sure of what omega 3 fatty acids actually are and how to get enough of them. Omega 3 fatty acids are essential polyunsaturated fatty acids needed by the body to maintain proper function and health. They’re called essential, because unlike most of the other fatty acids, our bodies are not able to make these, which means it’s essential that we get them from our diets.
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“Keep your salt intake low” is a message we are all familiar with. But what exactly is salt and why the concern? Common table salt is made up mainly of sodium chloride (NaCl) and it’s really the sodium part of this mineral that is the problem, if we too much of it...
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So by now you know that you need to get your dark green veg, iron, calcium and Vitamin D. Here are some follow-on tips that will put you on the road towards getting all the goodness your body needs to keep you healthy and tip-top.
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A: What you need to be looking out for on labels are saturated fat and Trans fats, and then also cholesterol to a lesser degree. A few years ago when your dad was younger, the focus of heart-healthy nutrition was to avoid foods high in cholesterol. However, with research we now know that the real baddies are actually Trans fats and saturated fats and that these fat types have a greater impact on increasing heart disease risk, than dietary cholesterol.
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Feeling confused by all the nutrition information out there? Don’t know which of it applies to you? Find yourself constantly wondering which foods are important for you? In the next few posts, I thought to focus on foods and nutrients that are specifically important for women. They are simple and without frills and fuss and will provide you with a good starting point.
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Although in moderation sugar is not a health hazard, we all know that we should avoid having loads of added sugar in our diets. When we say sugar, it means table sugar but also all the other forms of sugar that are used during food manufacturing.
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A: As you may know, oily fish such as mackerel, sardines, trout, herring and salmon are the richest source of healthy fish fats, called omega 3 fatty acids. The main shellfish sources are mussels, oysters, squid and crab. Some white fish and other shellfish, like prawns, also contain omega 3 fatty acids but not as much as oily fish...
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A: The first question to ask yourself is: Am I getting enough good quality sleep? Feeling exhausted by midday may be the result of lack of sleep and have nothing to do with your diet. If you’re sleeping well, then it’s a good idea to have a closer look at your diet.
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Previously, I chatted about antioxidants – what they are and where we can find them in our foods. I also mentioned phytochemicals – another word we come see and hear frequently. So, what are phytochemicals? Phytochemicals are ‘non-nutrient’, biologically active and naturally occurring chemical compounds found in plant foods. They act as natural defence systems in their host plants by providing protection against infection and microbial invasions and they also provide the colour, taste and aroma to fruits and vegetables.
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A: I would not recommend fat-burners, especially while you are still breastfeeding. The chemical compounds in these products can be transferred through your breastmilk and may be harmful to your child.
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During the holidays we are constantly preparing big hearty meals to enjoy with family and friends, which often means we end up with fridges full of leftovers. Correct handling and storage of leftovers is important, especially during our hot summer months. Eating spoiled leftovers can result in nasty food poisoning and infection. So, how can we ensure that leftovers are safe to eat?
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