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Less loved or glamorous than other organs in the body, we feel the liver is due more attention and respect! The liver undertakes numerous physiological processes (over 500 vital functions!) to keep the body healthy, including storing glucose to be later used for energy; producing bile for fat breakdown and utilising fat-soluble vitamins; forming proteins … Continued

The gut microbiome. You’ve probably heard of it. It is the community of trillions of microbiota (also referred to as microbes or microorganisms) residing in the intestinal tract, their genes, and the products they produce. The microbes coexist with us so we can function. Amazing.  The composition of different bug populations residing in the gut … Continued

Credit: Canva Our brain is our best friend. A friend we often take for granted!  To keep the brain healthy, we need to eat healthily. That means more whole foods, less ultra-processed foods, and limiting consumption of added and free sugars. Why? Read on.  Activating reward centre When eating sugary foods, the brain’s reward system … Continued

We are well aware that too much added and free sugar isn’t great for health, impacting mood, energy, the liver, and also the health of your heart. In fact, research has found that those who consume at least 15% of their daily energy from sugar – found in the obviously sweet stuff, such as cakes, soft … Continued

If you have concerns about heart health, you should pay attention to added and free sugar intake. Excess consumption isn’t good for heart health, in part due to the impact on the liver. The liver and the heart Development of non-alcoholic fatty-liver disease (NAFLD) has been linked with high intake of added sugars, particularly sugar-sweetened beverages, even … Continued

Small changes can have incredible impact, as has been proven by an exceptional New Zealand school. In 2006, Yendarra School in South Auckland introduced a water-only policy. That meant no sugar-sweetened beverages were allowed on campus, whether sold at the school or brought from home. Junk foods such as pies, icy poles and ice-creams were … Continued

Identifying added and free sugars by learning how to read labels takes a little practice, though worth doing. By building awareness of where and how much added sugar is hiding in food and drink, we are less likely to overconsume. This is important as too much of the sweet stuff increases the risk for tooth decay, type 2 … Continued

We read and hear frequently that foods with anti-inflammatory properties are good for us. So, if anti-inflammatory is ‘good’, is inflammation ‘bad’?   The short answer, no.  Inflammation is essential, a completely normal biological process and a natural part of our body’s defense system.  When injured or infected, a complex response takes place in your body … Continued

I love cooking and I take great pride in planning and preparing meals. But to be honest, I often really fall down in the breakfast department. With two small children, and both my husband and I working during the week, the mornings are a frenzied rush to shower, dress and evacuate the house in order … Continued

We love food. LOVE it! However, knowing what food is good for us, what is not-so-good for us, and all in between, can lead us to wade into the messy waters of dietary wars, leaving us confused, overwhelmed and deflated. Fortunately, there are professionals who can investigate such conundrums for us, and it seems we … Continued

There is a lot of dietary advice going around about what is considered healthy and what is not (with much of it conflicting). It is easy to feel overwhelmed, especially when you see the exorbitant price of the latest edible cure-all! So, despite dietary and health aspirations, it is no surprise we often stick to … Continued

You can hear it now. Nona waving her hand at your 8-year-old self saying, “Eat your bloody greens!” It seems the fervent desire for the grown-ups of our childhood to have us chow down on broccoli, beans, and the like was not misplaced. Green veg, and especially leafy greens, are nutritional powerhouses. Do you still … Continued