• Eat to Beat Cholesterol

    It is estimated that 1 in 3 Australians have high cholesterol, putting those people at a greater risk of coronary artery disease which can cause heart attacks and stroke. So it’s not surprising that coronary artery disease was the leading underlying cause of death in Australia in 2016 contributing to 12% of all deaths. While… Continue Reading

  • Going Vegetarian: What you need to know

    Vegetarian and vegan diets are becoming more mainstream as people are giving up meat and animal products and turning to a plant based diet. While dedicated vegetarians and vegans don’t like it to be referred to as a ‘trend’ it certainly seems that ditching the meat is the food ‘movement’ of 2016. And I’m all… Continue Reading

  • My Unapologetically Boring Day on a Plate

    A few ‘health gurus’ have come out lately telling the world what they eat on a daily basis to keep themselves healthy and there is no shortage of weird and obnoxious, bizarre, ridiculous wonderful ingredients. Their diet is full of superfood goodness, pixie dust and magical beans that no doubt will allow them to live… Continue Reading

  • Centenarian Food Secrets

    Centenarians, what a fascinating bunch of people!  Imagine living for over a century, imagine all of the experiences, knowledge and wisdom that you would have. There is a lot to learn from this unique group of people. With the average life expectancy in most developed countries around 80 years how do they manage to live… Continue Reading

  • Dietary Guidelines Around the World

    Join me as I travel the globe in search of nutrition guidelines! We begin our journey in Antigua & Barbuda! Antigua & Barbuda have opted for a Food Guide Pineapple which divides foods into 7 groups: starchy foods; vegetables; fruits; food from animals; peas, beans & nuts; fats & oils; sugars and sweeteners.

  • You’re a Dietitian and You Eat What?!

    As a dietitian people often ask me about my own ‘diet’. What I eat, what I don’t eat and what I think about a particular food or diet. I have come to accept it now as part and parcel of being a dietitian. And I certainly don’t blame people for asking either. I’m always intrigued… Continue Reading

  • Skip the Extremes and Start with the Basics.

    I feel like people are bypassing the basics and seeking out extremes to eat healthier or to lose weight. People automatically get on the latest fad diet when actually if they took the time to look at their lifestyle, their dietary patterns and habits they would realize that they don’t need to jump on the… Continue Reading

  • Food Should Not Equal Guilt

    Eating food should never be associated with guilt or shame, good or bad. It is unfortunate that we are, at times, made to feel guilty about eating foods that wouldn’t be getting a 5 star health rating.  Packets of food are labeled ‘guilt free’ or described as a ‘guilty pleasure’. Why should we feel guilty… Continue Reading

  • If diets don’t work what does?

    Trying to lose weight? Don’t go on a diet. The stats about diets are pretty clear that they don’t work. Diets and restrictive eating plans usually do result in weight loss but research indicates that half the weight is most likely regained within 1 year and almost all within 5 years. So if people are… Continue Reading

  • Let’s End the Diet Wars

    Let’s end the diet wars. Everyone is on the quest for the best diet ever. The ultimate fail proof diet . Well I can tell you that there is and isn’t an ultimate best ever diet. Confused? Keep reading…

  • A Guide to Processed & Packaged Foods

    Nearly all foods have gone through some form of processing before being eaten. Processing can involve harvesting, butchering, fermenting, canning, preserving as well as simply cooking and preparing foods.  The processing of foods has many benefits which include improving the safety of food by removing micro-organisms and pathogens, preservation, easier distribution, longer shelf life and… Continue Reading

  • What if…?

    image credit What if everyone stopped dieting?  What if everyone stopped counting calories, worrying about gluten, fructose, fat, protein, carbs and just ate healthy, wholesome foods? What if everyone stopped being so focused on what the number on the scale said and they focused on being as healthy as they can be?

  • Written In the Stars

    Image Sally and Jane both went to the supermarket to stock up on a few items that they usually purchase. They are both very busy women and like to get in and out of the supermarket as quick as they can. They grab products and brands they know and that they have used in the past.… Continue Reading

  • One Size Fits All?

    There is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to diets or one single eating pattern that is best for everyone. They key to achieving a healthy diet is getting the basics right and then individualizing it to suit your own needs and lifestyle. If you have the basics of healthy eating right by… Continue Reading

  • Misleading Messages

    New dietary advice comes out weekly. One study reports this, one celebrity promotes that and another current affairs program is reporting something else. It all gets quite confusing. And unfortunately in the middle of all this chaos, disorder and trying to keep up with the latest dietary ‘advice’ the healthy eating message gets thrown out… Continue Reading

  • Eat Food, Not Nutrients

    What did you have for dinner last night? I had protein, omega 3’s, a side of carbs, oh and there was a nice dash of B vitamins, vitamin A and zinc and a little iron a calcium to top it off… said no one ever…and no one has ever said that because we eat food… Continue Reading

  • The Forgotten Food

    Why have we forgotten about white vegetables? Maybe it is due to the misguided, nutritional advice such as ‘avoid all white foods’, ‘only eat green vegetables’ and ‘the more colourful the food the more nutritious’. But white vegetables are just as nutritious as their colourful friends. Each vegetable contains its own set of specific vitamins,… Continue Reading

  • Fad Free Zone

    Many people may find this post quite boring. Why? Because what I’m going to write about I’m sure you have all heard before. I’m not going to write about the latest ‘superfood’, nor am I going to go on about a new diet that promises amazing weight loss results. Nor will I write about the dangers/benefits… Continue Reading

  • Quinoa Stuffed Capsicum

    Quinoa Stuffed Capsicum What you’ll need: (serves 4) 1 cup quinoa 1 onion, finely chopped 1 medium zucchini, trimmed, grated 2 garlic cloves, crushed 1 teaspoon ground cumin 2 tablespoons pine nuts 1/2 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed 2 tomatoes, diced 75g fresh ricotta cheese 4 large capsicums, halved lengthwise, seeded

  • Eat More Veggies!

    I’m not a big fan of new year resolutions. I don’t believe you need to wait till the new year to change your habits or to make healthier lifestyle choices. Nevertheless, I know people like to make them and that they often involve eating healthier or losing weight. One simple but effective strategy to achieve both… Continue Reading

  • Homemade Muesli

    Muesli is a fabulous, tasty, nutritious way to start the day. This recipe is just a guide to make your own muesli. Play around with different ingredients and quantities till you get it just the way you like it.

  • Chilli Beans with Baked Eggs

    Chilli Beans with Baked Eggs What you’ll need: (serves 4) 1 tbsp sunflower oil 1 onion, diced 1 x 400g cans black beans, drained and rinsed 1 x 400g chilli beans 400g can mixed beans, drained and rinsed 2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes with garlic & herbs 1 tbsp brown sugar 4 eggs small handful… Continue Reading

  • Chicken, Mango & Pine Nut Salad

    Chicken, Mango & Pine Nut Salad What you’ll need: (serves 4) 2 cups chopped fresh mango 1/3 cup fresh orange juice 1 tbs canoloa or olive oil 2 tsp seeded mustard 2 cups shredded cos lettuce 2 cups shredded spinach leaves 1 cup finely shredded red cabbage ½ cup thinly sliced spring onion 1 tin… Continue Reading

  • Quinoa risotto with prawns, tomato and oregano

    Quinoa Risotto with Prawns, Tomato and Oregano What you’ll need: (serves 4) 250g punnet cherry tomatoes, halved 1 tbs olive oil 1 onion, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 long red chilli, finely chopped 1 1/2 cups (300g) quinoa* 1 tbs tomato paste 1/3 cup (80ml) white wine 2 1/2 cups (625ml) chicken… Continue Reading

  • Going gluten free for weight loss & health?

    Gluten free diets have been the latest craze for the last year or so. Gluten free meals and items are now the norm at cafes and restaurants and half an isle at the supermarket is dedicated to gluten free products. Lately a few celebrities have even come out to say they shed the kilos by… Continue Reading

  • Fact Vs Fiction

    Sorting food fact from fiction can be confusing…so I’ve done it for you! 5 common nutrition myths BUSTED… Fresh veggies are more nutritious than frozen –These days veggies are snap frozen within hours of being harvested. This means that all of their nutrients and vitamins are maintained (they will not be lost when frozen).  Fresh… Continue Reading