NEWS

The average Australian consumes 60 grams of added sugars per day – that’s around 14 teaspoons each day! (1) We all know too much sugar is not good for our health, but is raw sugar a healthier type of sugar? Let’s talk about raw sugar. It is a crystallised sugar which is made up of primarily sucrose and contains a small quantity of molasses (a product of the sugar refinement process). It is a caramel colour as it is less refined than processed white sugar. So, is raw sugar healthier than other sugars? As mentioned, raw sugar is made up of mostly sucrose. When sucrose is eaten, it is broken down into smaller sugars (called glucose and fructose) and gets taken up by our body’s cells with the help of a hormone called insulin, whereas fructose gets processed by the liver and insulin is not needed. (2) Sucrose is considered a natural sugar when consumed directly from plant-based foods such as fruits. However, if you are eating sucrose in the form of raw sugar, it is considered an added sugar and it adds extra calories to foods and drinks along with little nutritional value or benefit to health. (3) We all know that too much added sugar in our foods and drinks is not good for our health particularly as it can lead to tooth decay and make it harder to control our weight. Over time, this could lead to the development of diet-related conditions including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. (3, 4)

Is coconut oil really a healthy oil?

Gestational Diabetes: What is it and what can you do to manage it through diet?

Have you heard of health halos? It’s a term we use to describe food and drinks that appear healthier than they really are. It’s what happens when are looking at the health claims, imagery, colour palette and price of a product rather than the nutrition information panel. Take Heinz’s new Cauliflower Fries for instance. The use of the colour blue, the leaf background and the snips of green herbs scattered across the chips makes it feel like a light alternative to normal potato fries. Likewise, the use of the word “cauliflower”, the phrase “vegetarian friendly” and a higher price point evoke a sense of “health” and “quality”.

Should I be eating a plant-based diet? Should I cut out carbohydrates and go keto? How are these diets going to help me when I’ve been putting on more weight? Are you confused about the best diet for PCOS? Read on to hear about evidence-based advice that walks you through the ideal PCOS diet. 

Will I actually lose weight? Yes, you CAN lose weight by walking your dog regularly. A study conducted by the Czech University of Life Sciences has shown that over a 15 year period individuals can achieve a weight loss of up to 8 kilograms by walking for half an hour a day (1). It also confirms that older dog owners are more active compared to their peers who are not dog owners (2). Ultimately, by walking your dog for at least half an hour a day, you can gradually burn off calories and in turn keep weight off! How will it impact my overall health? Dogs are not only great companions but also great catalysts for physical activity. The study conducted by the Czech University of Life Sciences proved that conditions, such as strokes and heart attacks are amplified by low physical activity (3). So, by owning a dog, individuals are less likely to face such conditions and can achieve between 75 and 150 minutes of daily physical activity as recommended by the World Health Organisation (4). Surprisingly, during the study, adult dog owners were seen to have an average step count which was 2000 steps higher than their non-dog owner peers (5). The 2019 study highlighted various benefits of walking a dog to the overall health of older individuals. These benefits included: ● Reduced risk of obesity ● Reduced sense of loneliness and likelihood of depression ● Better sleep quality ● Reduced likelihood of muscle mass loss and weakness ● Reduced likelihood of body fat storage

Many people find it difficult to control their appetite when losing weight, especially in winter as the mind and body love to feel the warmth of comfort food. Here are some simple strategies to help keep up the good weight loss habits during the colder months that are fast approaching.

Reducing your consumption of sugar filled soft drinks can help reduce sugar intake. It is much easier said than done, however it is necessary if you are trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle. A study conducted in Australia found that over 50% of participants consumed soda or sweetened beverages frequently. Regular consumption of sugary and carbonated beverages can lead to: Excess weight gain Fatigue and lack of concentration High blood sugar levels Insulin resistance Although diet soda's have lower calorie sugar content, it is importance to consider the effects of the high level artificial sweeteners they contain. The Nutri Net-Sante study has shown an association between frequent consumption of diet soda and the development of cardiovascular disease in adults adults ( 2 ). So, if you want to maintain a healthy ,lifestyle, here are 5 soda alternatives which you can prepare at home or order the next time you go out to eat. 1) Water Water is not only a source of hydration but also helps to improve physical performance, mood and concentration. By regularly drinking water, you can avoid issues, such as constipation and boost your metabolism. Though not the most popular beverage, the value it provides is incomparable.

Holidays are over and school is back - which means getting up early to make the kid's lunches. It's hard to keep the young one's tastebuds satisfied whilst remaining healthy, so therefore we've got five lunch ideas that will take away the lunch time stress! 1) Mini Burrito What you need: Wholemeal tortilla wrap Spinach or lettuce Chicken Corn Tomatoes Black beans Cooked rice Mini burritos are a friendly and creative back-to-school lunch idea. Burritos include a great combination of flavours which will make your kids excited to eat lunch. It serves as a perfect twist on any classic sandwich.