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…

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,…

Fruit and Vegetables – are you getting enough?

fruit and vegetables

Most people don’t get enough fruits and vegetables in their daily diet.Fruit and veggies are high in disease fighting phytonutrients.For optimal health – Eat 1 cup of each colour everydayGreensSpinach/green peas/salad greens/Brussel sprouts/broccoli/green beans/kale/parsley etc. also includes green tea and black tea (rich in phytonutrients= such as isoflavones, flavonoids, lutein etc.)RedsGrapefruit/tomato/watermelon/walnuts (1/8 cup) /persimmon/papaya/cherries/chilli/raspberries/red cabbage/ pomegranates (rich in phytonutrients =such as lycopenes, ellegic acidOrangeRockmelon/corn/citrus/mango/squash/turmeric (1 teas) /pineapple/ginger/pumpkin/carrots/sweet potato/peaches etc. (rich in phytonutrients = such as alpha-carotene, beta-carotene terpenoids etc.)WhiteParsnips/garlic (1 teas)/onions/leek/coconut (1/8 cup)/apples/black tea/green tea (rich in phytonutrients= such as…

Stress and its Effects on the Thyroid

stress and thyroid

Are you under stress and feel as though your metabolism is slowing down?Your thyroid may be affected as a response to chronic stress. When we are under prolonged levels of stress we will begin to experience multiple system issues, one of these is a change in our metabolism and consequent weight gain particularly around our midsection. We may also begin to feel puffy and fatigued. Due to the complexity of the thyroid I have only looked at a snap shot on what may be happening to your thyroid as a result…

The Importance of Accountability & Support for Weight Loss Goals

accountability

How to Be Accountable to Your Weight Loss Goals When trying to achieve weight loss goals by dieting and exercising, willpower alone is not always enough to stay on track. To be able to lose weight and keep it off for good, accountability and support are the key. However, we all know that maintaining accountability and finding support is easier said than done. The following are some ways to help keep you accountable and supported through your weight loss journey.   Create your weight loss plan Write down your weight loss plan on paper…

Larah Brook – An Inspiration

Larah

Today I am so happy, this beautiful lady Larah Brook made my day! 14 kilograms down and 10 to go! Larah is running her first half marathon in October and we’ve been working together since January to build some base fitness and lose weight in order to run injury free. Thanks especially to Dave Coombs from PhysioLogic Physiotherapy Gold Coast for the running drills and rehabilitation and Ian Curnow Chiropractor and Owner of Tweed Coast Chiropractic for help in getting this girl in shape to run. Watch this space! Larah…