Who should have their cholesterol checked?

Excess cholesterol can lead to heart disease however high blood cholesterol has no symptoms. Screening can detect cholesterol abnormalities before heart disease develops or worsens. That is why every adult should have his or her cholesterol checked regularly. All adults 20 years and older should have their cholesterol checked at least once every five years.…

Main Types of Dietary Fat

There are four main types of dietary fat, all having a different effect on your body. Saturated Fats These increase your risk of developing heart disease by raising your low-density lipoprotein (LDL or ‘bad’) cholesterol levels and may also decrease your levels of protective high-density lipoprotein (HDL or ‘good’) cholesterol. Saturated fats are mainly found…

Modifying Recipes

There’s no need to venture out in search of new recipes when you already have your cherished favourites. To modify recipes you already cook, you can do three things: substitute high fat, high energy ingredients with low fat, low energy ingredients; reduce the quantities of low fat ingredients in your recipes or eliminate any high…

Preparing & Cooking Meats & Vegetables

Meat and Poultry Meats are a good source of minerals including iron, copper, zinc, and manganese. These minerals are essential for many bodily functions such as transporting oxygen in the blood (iron), forming red blood cells (copper) and supporting the immune system (zinc). Zinc is essential for many bodily functions and deficiency can lead to…

Coeliac Disease & Weight Loss

In people diagnosed with coeliac disease, the immune system demonstrates an atypical reaction to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley, which are primarily composed of carbohydrates. This immune response causes harm to the small intestine, leading to insufficient nutrient absorption and causing a range of gastrointestinal and malabsorptive symptoms. Individuals with coeliac…

Healthy Snacks

Including a nutritious mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack is a great way to manage hunger levels, which can help to reduce portion sizes and overeating at main meals. It also assists with managing energy, concentration and blood sugar levels. Each of the following represents a suitable snack idea for a healthy diet. The components of a…

Takeaway Meals

By preparing your own meals, you can save money and control the fat and energy content of the food you eat. But do not worry if a situation calls for takeaway food; it is fine in moderation, especially when you have planned to compensate for the additional energy. To reduce the amount of fat and…

Planning for an Event

Ask yourself five questions before you leave the house for an event: Where will I be eating? Who will I be eating with? What will I be eating and what is my calorie budget? What tactics will I employ to ensure I stick to my plan? What will I do to compensate for extra energy…

The Benefits of Resistance Training

Increased Muscle Strength and Mass: Resistance training is known to improve muscle strength and increase muscle size. Progressive overload, which involves gradually increasing the resistance or intensity of the exercises, is often used to stimulate muscle growth. Improved Bone Health: Resistance training can enhance bone mineral density, reducing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Weight…

Managing Your High Risk Situations

Managing Your High Risk Situations Consider the following chain of events that led to an overeating episode for ‘Jane’: Jane was driving home from work and stopped at the convenience store to buy milk and bread. She noticed her favourite ice cream was on special and decided to take advantage of this bargain by purchasing…