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Fat carries more energy than other macro nutrients (9kcals/37kJ/g compared to 7kcal/29kJ/g for alcohol and 4kcal/17kJ/g for protein and carbohydrate respectively). So with so much energy to offer does eating more improve performance?
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In New Zealand around 258,886 tons of food waste is dumped in landfill each year. This equates to around 64kg of food waste per person/year in NZ compared to 82kg /person/ year in the USA. Read more »
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Men’s health in New Zealand has deteriorated at a faster rate than women’s over the past 12 years. The results of nutrition and adult health surveys between 1997 and 2012 give us some clues as to why this may be so. Read more »
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Concern is growing in New Zealand that our salt intake is increasing and that this may be detrimental to our health, particularly for children. Read more »
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Some people find it hard to control snacking and are continuously thinking about food. They may find themselves constantly picking, stock piling foods in drawers and cupboards at home and work. Read more »
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Despite the apparently healthier lifestyle vegetarian athletes (like anybody) can still become overweight, hungry, bloated and suffering from multiple nutrient deficiencies. Read more »
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Do you ever suffer from” runners diarrhoea”, bouts of anxiety , fatigue, abdominal pain or gas when facing competition? Read more »
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Do you start each year with a list of the goals, resolutions or aspirations? Things you would like to achieve for the year ahead (e.g. losing weight, cutting back on alcohol, doing more exercise, taking up a new hobby) only to find many of these have failed by February? Read more »
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Whether you are swimming for fun or competition this sport has many health benefits that can be enhanced with good nutrition. Knowing what to eat and when can also greatly improve your enjoyment of the sport as well as your level of performance.
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If you want to enjoy the company of friends and family when you get older then if is important that you look after their health, as well as your own, as you age. Read more »
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The smaller lungs and lighter weight of young children increases their vulnerability to the harmful effects of second hand smoke Read more »
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Nuts are very nutrient dense containing some protein, fat (particularly polyunsaturated fat), dietary fibre, calcium, trace elements and vitamins. However they are also high in energy. Read more »
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The quality, appearance and growth of our hair and nails often reflect the state of our general health and the adequacy of some essential nutrients in our diet.
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The stress of competition, the sun and wind, sweat, chaffing and high sugar levels are just some of the things that can aggravate the skin conditions of athletes and very active people. Read more »
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When family members are sick or hospitalised it can be very challenging to find the time to exercise and maintain a healthy diet for yourself. Particularly if you are working, caring for children, or trying to complete a course of study.
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An eating disorder can affect anyone at any age, any sport, any background and any gender. The symptoms may build slowly well before the illness becomes evident. Often it is an athletes support team such as parents, friends, team mates and coaches that pick up on the symptoms and can prevent the disorder from ruining the athletes sporting career. Read more »
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The human body is hugely resilient, constantly strengthening muscles and remodeling bones and joints to take up new loads. However as we age and weight is gained and lost, metabolic changes can take place that alter this remodeling process and can set us on a path to failing mobility and independence. Read more »
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Overweight and obese women are a greater risk of developing complications endangering their own health during pregnancy and are also more likely to bare children who are overweight themselves Read more »
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Many workers use enough energy and essential nutrients each day to power a marathon. If not replaced then a lack of these key nutrients can lead to fatigue, accidents and injury that can affect their long-term health and mobility. Read more »
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Ask the many men and women who travel for a living and they will tell you that while it may seem a glamorous lifestyle, it is not only hard work but hard on their health too.
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Few children escape teething without some discomfort. Rosy flushed cheeks, a runny nose, irritable behavior, disturbed sleep and bowel function are all hallmarks of tooth eruption Read more »
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Swimming against the “peer pressure” tide can be hard if we don’t want to offend our peers. Perhaps we lack self confidence, we don’t want to “rock the boat” or draw unnecessary attention to ourselves or to upset the social plans of others.
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Good vision is essential for good health and sporting performance especially when athletes are involved in precision sports that require good hand and eye co-ordination such as archery, pistol shooting, cricket, golf etc.
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Picky eating, food aversions or fads can affect people of all ages and can be a major source of frustration for those trying to prepare meals. Read more »
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Understanding the characteristics of resiliency and how to build it could be very helpful to your mental and physical well being.
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Fonterra’s announcement that it will sponsor free milk in schools is good news for the future health of young New Zealanders. Milk is promoted on the basis of bone health but there are many other health benefits that should be promoted.
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As we head towards Valentines Day and into the romantic month of February, many people are telling me that they feel that their mojo has been buried under the city rubble, along with their homes, business, hopes and dreams. It has been replaced by feelings of depression, stress, anxiety and weight gain. Read more »
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We all like to think that we call the shots regarding what we eat and drink. But who really has the last say over what we swallow? Read more »
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Measurement is an important evaluation tool at any time of the year, it is only human nature to want some means of measuring progress; however can we rely solely upon any particular measure and expect to obtain a reliable result? For each aspect of life we require some measure to determine our successes or failures, … Read more »
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Prior to the earthquakes on September 4, Boxing Day and now February 22nd did you have any health goals? Do you have any now? Everything changed in an instant when the earthquakes struck. The fear and uncertainty that follows such a traumatic event is normal and everyone reacts to it differently. Everyone has their own … Read more »
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Pick up a magazine, newspaper or TV guide and there will be something on diet. From PT’s in gyms, practice nurses, pharmacists and nutritionists everyone seems to have something to say about food. This is unsurprising as we all love to eat! What’s the Difference between Dietitians and Nutritionists? Nutritionist usually completed a degree in … Read more »
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If you are keen to finish this year on a high note then here are a few tips to set you onto a healthier path for 2010. 1. Keep bug free- Clean- wash your hands Cook- food well Chill- keep all animal related foods in the fridge Cover- food not in use 2. Keep sun … Read more »
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If you want to prolong the life of the man in your life here are some simple tips: Be proud of him just as he is That’s right if you care enough about his health (to worry about his weight or cholesterol level) then you have to let him know it’s because he is so … Read more »
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We all need a little bit of stress in our lives or otherwise we would die of boredom. But are we having to deal with too much stress these days? As our world changes around us, people loose their jobs; finances dry up; the speed of everything happening around us quickens..does this environmental stress affect … Read more »
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If you are heading away on holiday or going overseas and are keen to control your weight and cholesterol levels then here are a few tips that may help. If you are flying then keep drinking the water they offer you and mind the alcohol as flying can be very dehydrating. During stop over’s in … Read more »
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Have you looked around lately? On the bus, at the bank, in the supermarket and our schools. We are all getting fatter. Now take a second look at where that fat is located. The two most important places are around our neck and centrally around our abs. The Tongue: The first place that we put … Read more »
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Have you ever noticed that just as you decide to embark on a new exercise program or healthy eating plan things just turn to custard? It’s your birthday and your mum arrives with your favourite chocolate cake. It’s your anniversary and the office puts on a shout to celebrate. It’s Mother’s Day and your son … Read more »
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Before you load up on vitamin supplements, pills and potions this winter check out these easy tips that will help you build a healthier defense system this winter. Try to find some ‘me time’ in which to reduce your level of stress. Research has found that taking time out to relax will not only reduces … Read more »
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When you hear the words “comfort foods” what comes to mind? Is it a chocolate bar, a packet of chips, a big iced bun or bowl of rice pudding? “Comfort foods “are “feel good” foods. We seek these foods out when we want to heighten feelings of being nurtured, comforted and secure. These foods often … Read more »
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When things get tough people often turn to food for comfort. Unfortunately as weight is gained not only do we become less healthy and more prone to diseases such as heart disease and diabetes but also we suffer mentally. We become more depressed, anxious and angry it can be harder to concentrate and make decisions … Read more »
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Make some room for ‘Me Time’ this Christmas With the build up to Christmas- it is easy to get swallowed up by all the jobs that have to be done. The cards to send-cake to bake-tree to decorate- presents to buy- the garden- the relies- the visitors- the end of year work and school functions. … Read more »
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At this time of the year it is easy to be focused on losing weight to fit your summer gear but don’t forget about the extra energy needs that you have when you pace greater demands on your body. Training for a marathon: Remember that you not only have to meet you daily nutritional needs … Read more »
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Sleep is as essential to good health. Most families at some stage are affected by lack of sleep. Whether it is because of getting up to feed babies that are breast feeding, teething or sick, or waking to check on teenagers who are late home from a night out with friends – sleep can be … Read more »
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If you want to fit a dress for a wedding, end of year ball or the races and need to shed a few kilos then it pays to start early Read more »
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Breast cancer is the most common cancer among females living in New Zealand. By 2011 it is predicted it will affect 127 in 100,000, a 9% increase since 1996. The incidence of breast cancer is increasing, largely due to our ageing population of women over 60years. However early detection with breast cancer screening will mean … Read more »
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What we eat and when we eat has a profound affect on the speed at which we make decisions, learn and remember things Read more »
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If we want to build sustainable energy we need to remove the barriers that stop the flow of energy in our body. It’s easy to judge our fitness from the outside our shape and size. Last week Jamie Oliver in a TV1 programme entitled Eating to Save Your Life looked under the skin. He took … Read more »
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If you are struggling to control weight over winter despite your best effort there here are some finer tips that might help. Watch Your Healthy Diet? You can put on a lot of weight eating healthy food. It is the portion size that counts. If you are overweight eat smaller meat portions (half your palm … Read more »
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If your next New Years resolution is going to be to get fit and lose some weight then it is important to be aware of the situations, people and things that can unravel all of your efforts over the holiday period. Friends may mean no harm but when they continually joke about your efforts or … Read more »
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Isn’t it strange that children are hard to get to bed when they are little and hard to get out of bed when they are teenagers. Parents often lament about how their older children seem to sleep their life away- particularly during weekends and holidays when they may not surface until lunchtime. Relax and let … Read more »
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If planning a party think back about the party you most enjoyed. Was it memorable because of the food, the location, the people or how much you drank? Parties that include some activity are often the most fun. So think of a theme and build a sense of occasion, e.g. dancing, barbeque, softball, cricket, tennis. … Read more »
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The March edition of the Consumer Magazine (edition #423) carries an interesting article challenging the current food pyramid, adopted by the Heart Foundation and Cancer Society, for nutrition education in 1992. The most valid comments in this article are that: It is not a low fat diet that we need but a low saturated/trans fat … Read more »
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Our immune system is constantly challenged; by the environment in which we live, stress, drugs, smoking, alcohol, disease processes, dietary practices and ageing. Along with lifestyle change there are several dietary factors that can protect the body against infecting organisms and help the body overcome an infection once established. Fish oil Fish oil contains essential … Read more »
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A nutritional assessment is a useful diagnostic tool to evaluate your present dietary practices. It helps to determine if individual nutritional needs are being met and identifies key nutrient deficiencies Read more »
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The Christmas period is such a busy time of the year, which often doesn’t seem to stop until the New Year is underway; school is winding down, work seems to be winding up and all those extra commitments seem to be popping up everywhere. Through identifying the associated pitfalls of the ‘jolly season’, you can … Read more »
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The battle has once again begun! Winter is the month that brings colds, the flu, fatigue and freezing temperatures back into our lives. It is a annual occurrence that sends many running for cover; right into the comfy arms of our favourite chair or bed snuggled up to avoid that winter chill. We mimic the … Read more »
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Education research has shown that people learn in different ways. Learning to form new habits can become difficult especially if you are learning via means not suited to you as an individual. Here at Lea Stening and Associates we aim to not only guide you through change, but also educate you via your preferred learning … Read more »
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Joints health is affected by four main issues: How much physical activity we do Our past diet history How much we weigh How well we age. Research has found that the risk of developing osteoarthritis (OA) in the knee increases with rising weight. Studies of overweight subjects found reducing weight by 5kg reduced the need … Read more »
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Slow Food was founded in Italy in 1989. The reaction of an Italian journalist to the opening of the first McDonald’s in Rome. “We are enslaved by speed and have succumbed to fast food”, he lamented, “that disrupts our habits, pervades the privacy of our homes and forces us to eat Fast Foods”! So began … Read more »
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Research indicates that oxidative stress (oxygen-related cell damage) may play a significant role in diabetic complications. Patients with chronic diabetic complications have been found to have higher levels of oxidative products than others without any complications. Elevated blood glucose levels seen in patients with poor glycemic control are the major cause associated with long term … Read more »
Whether you are heading off to the races or show you need to eat well in order to survive. It may sound a little extreme but it does take a lot of energy to walk around all day looking at the fashion, the horses and all the other animals.
