Dietitians Corner

Easter is a lovely long weekend for relaxing and spending time with family and friends, but it can also strike fear in those who are trying to avoid chocolate and stay on track. Not only do we have to deal with the Easter weekend, but also the weeks leading up to it. It's no surprise that by Easter, we feel like breaking free and abandoning our healthy eating plans.

There is no clear evidence that losing weight (gradually and in a healthy way) makes you more susceptible to illness or colds. However, if you are 'undernourished,' your immunity may suffer. This means you’re not getting enough vitamins, minerals and nutraceuticals your body requires to function properly.

There a several possible reasons why your weight may change while going through menopause. Our dietitian recommends the possible reasons that could be the cause for this and ways to avoid this.

When we lose weight, we typically lose a combination of fat and muscle. When we lose weight, we are eating less calories than our body needs and therefore creating a calorie deficit. To compensate for this reduced energy coming in from food, the body breaks down both fat and muscle to make up the difference. 

If you are pre-diabetic, or have Type II Diabetes, you have something called insulin resistance, which means that your body can’t use insulin as well as it should be able to. Click the link to read more.

Our Dietitian Domino Puttick has put together phases that you need to go through when it comes to weight loss but broadly speaking, we can divide them into three phases: Preparation, Weight Loss/Progress, Maintenance of results.

A high appetite can be a strong driver for weight gain and can also be a deterrent to continuing your diet. Spinach's appetite suppresses these qualities and slows down, keeping you fuller for longer.

Whether you choose to eat a vegetarian diet or not, they often are a great intake of fruit, vegetables and wholegrains. Preparing for a day of healthy snacks can be crucial as you will end up feeling hungry if you don't - read on to find out more.

Is there a link between stress and weight gain? You may have heard that anxiety, depression and stress can cause weight gain – and while this can be true, an exact mechanism of the cause hasn’t been identified yet.

Many of us are partial to a warm, comforting cuppa, so it may come as a pleasant surprise that each different kind of tea has additional benefits above and beyond the delicious taste!

Teas contain a whole host of beneficial compounds called polyphenols, a naturally occurring antioxidant plant compound found in the tea leaves themselves. These are found in all black, green and herbal teas in different amounts and types. 

Eating enough protein on a daily basis is absolutely essential due to its important role in so many of the bodies functions.

It’s necessary to eat protein throughout the day, at regular intervals, because our bodies cannot store protein. For example, carbohydrates and fat can be used for energy or stored in the same form (carbohydrate and fat). However, excess protein eaten is just broken down for energy or stored as fat tissue. It can’t be stored as protein molecules. For this reason, it’s important to ensure a steady supply of protein in each meal and snack.

As a dietitian many of my clients are looking for help with healthy habits and finding a comfortable weight for them as individuals. This can involve big changes and sometimes focusing on how to lose weight in a healthy way. Every person is different with their nutritional needs and goals, but I do find common themes that I discuss with clients to help them plan best for themselves.

For those who haven’t had an opportunity to speak to a dietitian yet, here are my top three tips to get you started!