05 February 2018
There is so much stuff and nonsense swirling around the internet about diet and nutrition, it is no wonder people are confused about what a balanced healthy diet looks like.The simple way to learn about healthy eating is to take a look at the eatwell guide available here on this linkhttps://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/528193/Eatwell_guide_colour.pdfIt is an illustrative guide…
29 January 2018
It can be easy to overlook the importance of our teeth and their role in being well nourished and yet without our gnashers, we would not be able to enjoy crunching apples, biting bread or tearing at meat.Our teeth and their health is set before we are born, when our mothers provide us with the…
22 January 2018
I read the other day that up to 9 million people now live alone in the UK.Whilst this does not mean that there are 9 million people craving company, it is quite clear that unwanted “aloness” can have a negative impact on food intake and enjoyment.You see, food is not just about nourishment but it…
15 January 2018
Today has been described as blue Monday. We are all meant to be looking glum as Christmas celebrations become a distant memory and summer sunshine is too far away.I thought I would try to counter this negativity with some reasons to be cheerful.The days are getting longer and the sun is making progress back to…
08 January 2018
The flu season is in full swing with records showing that already the so called aussie flu bug has taken the lives of more than 300 people in the UK.We are all advised to have the vaccination which can reduce our chances of succumbing to this potentially deadly virus, but we can also make sure…
01 January 2018
Happy New Year to you all, I hope 2018 will be everything you could wish for, and more.But, whilst we are waiting for our wishes to come true, why not consider some simple but effective life changes to get the new year off to a good start.Eat just one extra piece of fruit or an…
22 December 2017
Season’s greetings to all, I hope you will have a splendid day, eating drinking and making merry.Have a great day but remember there is no law that requires us to eat and drink ourselves silly for the 12 days of Christmas.We can all indulge over the festive season and many of us will then join…
18 December 2017
I was reflecting on dietetic life with an old chum last week and I recalled as a young and newly qualified dietitian how I had been left high and dry to deal with a baby newly diagnosed with PKU. I couldn’t find any information in the department as the paediatric dietitian had locked all the…
11 December 2017
I am sure I am not the only person who perhaps takes the availability of food for granted.And yet we should be aware that the food we eat has impact on our bodies, the environment and the economy of the world.Diet related illnesses such as obesity, type2 diabetes and heart disease, are the result of…
04 December 2017
The dictionary definition of this phrase refers to someone who is no longer considered useful as they are too old. I don`t think i have ever met anyone of any age who fits that description, my mum lived until she was nearly 96 and she was useful to me until the day she died. Miss…
27 November 2017
I was foolish enough to venture into a high street health food shop with my sister last week. She wanted to return her purchase of vitamin D as the tablets were 1.5 times the recommended daily supplement, as advised by the specialist advisory committee on nutrition (2016).A refund was not forthcoming, even though the bottle…
20 November 2017
Visceral fat, unseen by us all and yet a real risk to our health.There are 2 types of fat stored in our bodies, that which is stored under our skin (subcutaneous fat) and internal fat (visceral fat).Subcutaneous fat defines our body shape and is not thought to have the same health risks as visceral fat,…
12 November 2017
Remembrance Sunday took place today, when many of us stood and reflected for a few moments on the ultimate sacrifice given by brave men and women to keep us free. A member of the association which represents the Merchant Navy was interviewed and spoke about how in World War 1 the UK had only 6 weeks…
06 November 2017
Well it was bonfire night last night and it was like a war zone in my local area. I won`t make any comment on the fate of poor Guy Fawkes, but suffice to say that i think it quite extraordinary that someone who plotted to bring down the government of the day remains famous more…
31 October 2017
Tonight my door bell will chime constantly alerting me to an army of small children dressed in ghoulish outfits chanting “trick or treat”. As a good neighbour, and not really keen on having my windows egged, I will offer a bucket of confectionery for them to choose from.I will not worry about their sugar intake,…
23 October 2017
The season of coughs and colds has arrived and it is only a question of time before many of us fall victim to one virus or another.A well functioning immune system is really important to help fight off these bugs, and the food we eat is an essential ingredient to keeping the system in tip…
16 October 2017
Food can affect how we feel in many ways. It can comfort us when we are feeling low, think chocolate!It can make us feel bad if we think we have eaten too much again think chocolate!Sometimes food memory can make us feel good or bad, for instance being on a diet can feel like martyrdom and…
09 October 2017
It is body shape I am talking about, as both apples and pears are really good to include in our 5 a day.No, there is evidence that our body shape, the places we store fat, can be an indicator or future health or illness.Pear shaped people tend to store their fat on the hips and…
02 October 2017
Apparently October is cholesterol month so I thought it would be good to take a quick look at this important issue and set the scene for the month. Cholesterol is really important to us humans. It forms part of all our cells in our bodies and is needed for things like converting sunlight absorbed through…
25 September 2017
Falls and the older personFalls may occur more frequently as get older and alongside the embarrassment is the risk of fractures and worse, which can affect our lives not in a good way.Eating well can reduce the harm done by a fall, and it is sound advice at any age to pay attention to keeping…
