5 easy hacks to help prevent weight gain this Christmas and New Year!

Did you know that 50% of peoples annual weight gain occurs over the Christmas holiday season? Christmas and New Year are loads of fun where we socialise, eat and drink and generally have a good time. Here are some simple nutrition and exercise hacks that can help prevent the post-prandial paunch. Eat a protein rich snack: Eat something rich in protein before you eat a high sugary or carbohydrate meal, snack or dessert as it can curb your appetite leading you to eat less. Protein will slow down the blood…

Portobello Mushrooms

By Dr Mercola It’s established that mushrooms are a fungi, but they’re sometimes placed in the vegetable category even though they have a protein profile similar to meat, beans, or grains. Low in saturated fat and cholesterol and high in fibre, Portobello’s are an excellent source of copper, which your body needs to produce red blood cells and carry oxygen through your body. They also offer three important B-complex vitamins: riboflavin for maintaining healthy red blood cells; niacin for supple skin and properly functioning digestive and nervous systems; and pantothenic…

Shaking it up- Are meal replacement shakes a healthy option for us?

meal replacement

Meal replacement shakes come at a high price and promise great results so are they worth the price we pay? In today’s article we’ll delve into the ingredients added to meal replacement shakes that may be doing your body more harm than good.Meal replacement shakes are usually processed products that people drink in place of eating one of their main meals. Dieters, the elderly, busy people on the go with little time to cook or those with digestive complaints are most likely to use meal replacement shakes. In the short…

Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent Fasting

To fast or not to fast….understanding intermittent fastingOver the past few years intermittent fasting has become increasingly popular, but is it good for us?Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern that involves periods of food restriction (fasting) followed by normal eating. Interestingly this pattern of eating has been proven to help in weight loss, disease prevention and increasing the lifespan (1, 2).Experts seem to agree that it is more beneficial for metabolism than overall daily calorie restriction which may decrease metabolism (3).The following is an article written by Kris Gunnars who investigates…

Gut Sensitivity in Athletes and Non-Athletes- FODMAP’s

FODMAP

My next few articles will be dedicated to the gut and sensitivities that many of us may experience on a daily basis whether we are athletes or not. Today’s article will focus on FODMAP sensitivity which may be a leading factor in gut issues. This article has been adapted from an article written by Ben Greenfield – https://greenfieldfitnesssystems.com/ A recent study actually found that people with self-reported “gluten sensitivity” had actual zero bad gut effects from eating gluten and instead experienced complete elimination of their gut issues after they simply underwent a dietary…

Sugar…Hidden in Plain Sight

sugar

Did you know that 74% of packaged foods, both sweet and savoury, have added sugar?Even if you are not a sweet tooth you may be consuming more sugar than you realise. Some foods promoted as “natural” or “healthy” are laden with added sugars, compounding the confusion for consumers.Eating too much sugar is really bad for your health. A high sugar intake has been linked to an increased risk of many diseases, including obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer.Pre-packaged foods and drinks that are higher in sugar than you…

Coffee: Are you a Caffeind?

coffee

Are you a Caffeind?Here are 8 health benefits of coffee that are backed by science.1. Coffee is the biggest source of antioxidants in the western diet. Caffeine is not the only compound that makes up coffee. The antioxidants in coffee protect us from oxidation. Oxidation is thought to be one of the main mechanisms around aging and common diseases like cancer and heart disease. For people eating the standard western diet coffee may actually be one of the healthiest aspects of their eating habits.2. Coffee can improve energy levels and…

Mushrooms: Health Benefits, Facts, Research

Mushrooms

Mushrooms, though classified as vegetables in the food world, are not technically plants. They belong to the fungi kingdom and although they are not vegetables, mushrooms provide several important nutrients.It’s common knowledge that the key to getting enough vitamins and minerals in the diet is to eat a colourful variety of fruits and vegetables – the more colour, the better. However, this philosophy tends to leave mushrooms in the dark. In many cases, if a food lacks colour, it also in turn lacks necessary nutrients. However, mushrooms – which are commonly white…

7 POWERFUL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY FOODS TO INCLUDE IN YOUR DAILY DIET

anti-inflammatory

 Some kinds of inflammation in the body helps us heal, but chronic inflammation is the root of many modern day ailments and issues – among them, heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease, according to Dr. Andrew Weil. A diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods is a simple and powerful way to help the body stay balanced, calm and in vibrant health.The following is a useful list of foods that are healthy and have an anti-inflammatory effect on the body. Most anti-inflammatory foods are also rich in antioxidants – think leafy greens…

Bread, Gluten and some healthy bread options

Bread Gluten

Gluten in GrainsGluten comes from the Latin word for ‘glue’ which gives dough the elastic property that holds gas when it rises.  Bubbles of carbon dioxide are released from fermenting yeast, which become trapped by the visco-elastic protein, ensuring a light honeycombed texture for the dough. The elastic nature of gluten also holds particles of the dough together, preventing crumbling during rolling and shaping. Hence, gluten plays a vital role in the production of leavened baked goods.Gluten is the name given to the protein found in some, but not all,…