Archives

Latest articles View all »

• 

  Nutrition and eye health

  Good vision is essential for good health and sporting performance, especially if athletes are involved in precision sports that require good hand and eye co-ordination such as tennis, archery, pistol shooting, cricket and golf. Read more »

• 

  Dietary Guidelines are constantly changing:...

  Although science is constantly evolving, generating new recommendations to improve our health, for many people their eating habits are based on things other than their longevity so are guidelines still relevant today? Read more »

• 

  5 good reasons for eating eggs

  Are eggs really cheap and nutritious when compared with other protein rich foods? What about cholesterol? and are they safe to eat raw or if you're pregnant? Find out .. Read more »

• 

  Exercise induced gastrointestinal syndrome-...

  Exercise is promoted by health organisations to build heart health and muscular strength etc, but some people experience gut health issues doing it. Why is this? Read more »

• 

  Coffee concoctions

  Whether we sit in or take out it seems our love affair with coffee just keeps growing. Let's take a quick look at the effect our choice of coffee may have on our nutrient intake. Read more »

• 

  Potatoes – they’re maybe healthier...

  Potatoes are often labelled too starchy, too fattening too boring, but is this fair? As we grapple with Covid-19 maybe it's time to take a fresh look at how eating potatoes nationally could help our health and economic growth Read more »

• 

  Look for the opportunities to stay well this...

  It's been a tough year for most of us as we've learned to live with Covid-19. Now we are in a holding pattern waiting for a vaccine, there are lots of ways to keep well if we look. Read more »

• 

  How to help athletes recognise the mental health...

  Unlike a broken leg, mental health illness is something we can not see. Even athletes may discount their fatigue or depression as just due to training. Find out how to help. Read more »

• 

  Are you malnourished?

  Malnutrition occurs when a person fails to consume enough energy or protein for their body’s needs. Our needs are constantly changing. Could you be at risk? Find out.. Read more »

• 

  Retiring athletes may need to rethink their...

  Retirement from sport can happen at any age, in any code and any level of expertise. For many athletes it can mark an important transition in life and lead to better nutrition. Read more »

• 

  Sleep for better self-regulation and diet

  Are you getting enough sleep? Studies have shown that a chronic lack of sleep can have a major impact on our nutritional well- being, our mental and physical health. Read more »

• 

  Tips to help you cope with unexpected change

  We can't plan for everything in life. Sometimes the lights just change on us, before we are ready. Here are some tips to remind you, that you already do have the skills to cope. Read more »

• 

  Break free from Fad Diets

  New diets pop up every day. Who should we believe? NZ Broadcasting student Louise Trenouth, on assignment, puts questions to Lea in an effort to understand Fad Dieting. Read more »

• 

  Snacking on the plant-based diet

  Business is booming in the snack food trade. However not all commercially available foods are good for our health. Find out how planning snacks can help to power your day Read more »

• 

  How to make the most of a plant-based diet

  The plant-based diet is widening the range of foods on our supermarket shelves. How do they compare with standard meat and dairy products for nutrition value? Find out.. Read more »

• 

  Can caffeine improve your performance?

  New Zealand ranks 13th in the world for coffee consumption ahead of Australia and USA. What are the effects of caffeine on our health and can it improve our performance? Read more »

• 

  Tips for building a purposeful, healthier life

  Having a sense of purpose in life can not only help you build a healthier life but a longer one as well. Lea looks at the research and provides some practical tips on finding purpose when the going gets tough. Read more »

• 

  6 Tips for helping athletes eat more plant...

  If we are to adopt a more plant based diet how will athletes meet their nutritional needs for protein, energy and vital nutrients? Here we offer some 6 tips on how to increase vegetable intake for better performance. Read more »

• 

  Soup to soothe

  There is something very comforting about a bowl of soup especially on a cold winters day or if you are feeling unwell. Here we compare soups available today and offer guidelines on choosing the healthiest. Read more »

• 

  The active life of yoghurt

  Yoghurt is a healthy, economic and beneficial way to supply the body with macronutrients particularly protein and calcium, very convenient as a meal or snack its health benefits could help you. Find out more.. Read more »

• 

  Healthy At Every Size (HAES): the debate

  The Healthy at Every Size (HAES) paradigm, focusing on body acceptance and healthy lifestyle changes, is gaining a lot of media attention as a possible way of curbing our escalating obesity stats. Find out more. Read more »

• 

  Brain food Part 2: Thinking food

  Research shows a healthy diet and exercise can protect our brain from premature decline, improve our cognitive function and physical performance. Are you getting the nutrition you need? Read more »

• 

  Brain food Part 1: Are you suffering from Baby...

  Pregnant women often complain of having a 'Baby brain' or 'Pregnancy brain' experiencing a decline in cognitive functions, memory and and problem solving ability. What's going on and could diet help? Read more »

• 

  Are you eating enough to build strength?

  For many people strength and conditioning is their passport to better looks, confidence and performance. What are the nutritional issues? Read more »

• 

  Iron makes us happy- are you getting enough?

  Iron is important for happiness because without it our moods change and physical performance deteriorates. Are you getting enough? Read more »

• 

  Are you afraid of the scales?

  Everyday we measure things such as the time, money, distance, our cholesterol, petrol etc yet many people fear measuring themselves Read more »

• 

  Alcohol and sport- Is it a good match for you?

  When used responsibly alcohol can help to relieve tensions in athletes and to build feelings of inclusiveness in a team. However in excess it can slowly unravel training, health and sporting careers. Read more »

• 

  Stay in ‘the loop’ for a brighter...

  Loneliness and social isolation are being increasingly seen as risk factors to good physical and mental health. Learn how to stay connected with others and improve your sense of well being in 5 easy steps. Read more »

• 

  Unlock your potential with food

  The power of food can change your life and Dietitians can help you unlock your potential through food. Read more »

• 

  Don’t like fish?

  Fish is high in protein, iron, B group vitamins and essential fatty acids. But not everyone likes it. What can parents do to help their child try it again? Read more »

• 

  Who’s cooking tonight?

  Home cooked meals are cheaper and healthier than takeaways. As more women work men are returning to the kitchen for better health and fitness. Read more »

• 

  10 Tips for better food choices this Christmas

  Weight control is the key to better health but this can be hard when Christmas often leads to overconsumption. Find out where to start. Read more »

• 

  Minding ‘the gaps’ in eating routine...

  It’s what you do in 'the gaps' between the 'all on' and 'all off' phases that really matters to your physical and mental well-being. Read more »

• 

  Are nuts all they are cracked up to be?

  Are nuts healthy and how much do we need to eat in order to enjoy their health benefits? Read more »

• 

  Dietitians and Nutritionists what’s the...

  Dietitians are the most credible source of nutrition and food knowledge when you need to apply it to health and disease in NZ. Read more »

• 

  Wise up to Discretionary Foods for better health

  If you are struggling to lose weight or lower your cholesterol then taking a closer look at your intake of discretionary foods can improve your results. Read more »

• 

  Could you make healthier decisions when shopping?

  Every food item we drop into our supermarket trolley isn’t just affecting us but also the health of those we provide food for. How well do you shop? Read more »

• 

  Take action for better holiday health!

  Whether you prefer a holiday blobbing out by a pool or more action packed, making good food and exercise choices while away can see you return relaxed and healthier. Read more »

• 

  How to put ‘real’ flavour into...

  It can be so easy to snip the top off a packet of flavouring when cooking. But if we really want to reduce the salt, fat and sugar in our diet natural flavours are best. Find out how. Read more »

• 

  Be wary of ‘people pleasing’ it...

  Be careful trying to appease everyone. If taken to excess "people pleasing behaviour' can ruin your health and relationships. Read more »

• 

  Fruit and vegetables build a healthier workforce

  A well workforce is healthy and productive. So if buying your lunch what sort of food should you be choosing in order to maximise your work output? Read more »

• 

  Dietary help for women with PCOS

  Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common cause of infertility in 6-20% of women of reproductive age causing a range of hormonal and metabolic effects that can impact on a women's physical and mental health. Read more »

• 

  Independent thinking could help your plans...

  While people pride themselves on individual thinking and creativity today, when it comes to eating, drinking and smoking, group mentality can take over. Learn how to keep your goals on track this year. Read more »

• 

  Get children cooking this Christmas

  Increasing the confidence of children to cook from scratch is now seen as part of the strategy to reduce chronic diet related disease and obesity. We offer 12 top foods to know how to cook before leaving home. Read more »

• 

  Garnishes galore and all those “little...

  Is garnishing getting out of hand? Find out how much energy those "add ons" really do add. Read more »

• 

  8 tips to help you break the sugar habit

  What habits would you like to break? With all eyes on sugar reduction learn the steps to make this happen to achieve better health now. Read more »

• 

  How do we ‘grow’ an athlete in...

  To 'grow' a healthy athlete it takes a combination of genetics, training, hard work, good coaching, time and most of all the 'right' food. Read on and learn how. Read more »

• 

  Would activity icon labels alter your food...

  Obesity is a global problem we need fresh ideas to help to solve. UK studies of icon labelling suggest this could be a popular initiative Read more »

• 

  How well do you feed your hair?

  We take every part of our body for granted but have you ever considered how miraculous your hair growth really is? Do you feed it well? Find out. Read more »

• 

  7 Myths about weight loss

  Lea Stening shares 7 common myths about weight loss and concludes that "you actually need to eat quite a lot of food in order to lose weight". Read more »

• 

  Time your eating for better performance?

  If playing sport or exercising, understanding the GI can help you to select foods that will provide optimal energy at key stages of activity for better performance. Read more »

• 

  Mind your health if working online

  Working remotely does offer benefits for business but is it good for your health and what needs to happen to make it so? Read more »

• 

  What’s the fuss about fructose?

  Sugar has been the focus of attention lately amidst concerns for our dental health and obesity. But what about fructose, the sugar that intrinsically exists in fruits and vegetables? Could this be injurious to our health too? Read more »

• 

  Get into fruit and vegetables for optimal health

  Do you get your 5+ A Day servings of fruit and vegetables? Learn how gardening and creative activities can improve your consumption of these foods and maximise their nutritional benefits for better health. Read more »

• 

  Our “Attitude” is the key to better...

  If you are struggling with a weight or fitness issue and want to make changes this year look at your own “Attitude” first. Read more »

• 

  15 Tips for healthier barbeques this Christmas

  Are you planning a Barbeque this Christmas? It's not hard to lower everyone's saturated fat, salt and sugar intake while still serving beautiful, tasty food. Read more »

• 

  Tips to help you ‘shake off’ the...

  In a bid to reduce the intake of processed foods many food manufacturers are modifying their products to meet new food guidelines particularly regarding salt. Find out if you are still getting too much? Read more »

• 

  Orthorexia Nervosa: When healthy eating can...

  An Orthorexics daily obsession with obtaining healthy eating can reduce time available for other interests that formerly made up the fabric of their life. Help is available. Read more »

• 

  What’s to drink?

  As concern, regarding the sugar and energy content of carbonated drinks and fruit juice, gathers momentum many people are looking for alternative drinks to have. Read more »

• 

  Is going “Gluten Free” a healthy...

  As the popularity of gluten- free diets grow we need to question whether in fact it is a healthy option for any of us and if not how can we make it so? Read more »

Popular articles View all »