Diet
-
Sports foods vs sports supplements
Do you know what is the difference between sports foods vs sports supplements? Which one will improve your performance? What are sports foods and sports supplements? Sports foods Sports foods are foods or drinks specifically formulated to meet sport-specific needs (1, 2). Despite they resembling regular foods, they are not meant to be consumed as the sole source of an athlete’s nutrition (1). Sports foods may be designed to provide one or more of the following: Despite the fact that some common foods now include some of the elements listed above (most notably, protein), they are not automatically considered sports foods. Sports foods include: These foods are designed to be…
-
8 ways to dress your salad
If you think you need to buy bottled salad dressings or learn how to make a vinaigrette in order to eat salad, you are wrong. In this article you will find 8 ways to dress your salad, which will help you up your vegetable intake. What are salad dressings? Salad dressings are often a combination of an acidic ingredient and a fat, often emulsified and seasoned with salt, herbs and/or spices. The acidic ingredient is usually a type of vinegar (e.g. red or white wine, apple cider, balsamic, rice) or citrus fruit juice (e.g. lemon, lime, orange). The fat is usually oil (e.g. olive, canola, sesame) because oils are liquid…
-
Smart eating for managing diabetes
Alongside physical activity, dietary modifications can make a huge difference for people living with diabetes. In this article you will find valuable tips on smart eating for managing diabetes. According to the latest statistics, 1 in 20 Australians have diabetes (1). In simple terms, diabetes is a health condition in which the body does not produce enough insulin and/or is not effective at using it for transporting sugar from the blood into cells. As a result, individuals with diabetes have a high level of sugar in the blood, which can lead to multiple complications and eventually death. The sugar in the blood comes from both the carbohydrates in the food…
-
Using AI to estimate food intake
Using AI to estimate food intake is an interesting and time-saving use of technology, especially when using photos. But how accurate is it? To answer this question, I ran a test using 5 of my recipes. For each one, I asked ChatGPT to estimate the nutritional content based on a photo of the dish and the ingredients list. I also ran the analysis using my dietetics software. Below are a few observations based on this experiment: Dish 1: Sweet potato, chickpea and haloumi bowl ChatGPT output based on photo To estimate the nutritional content of the meal in the image, let's break down the components based on the provided ingredients…
-
What to drink when you are not drinking
Whether you have decided to cut down on alcohol, are doing Dry July or have been selected as the designated driver, this is your guide to what to drink when you are not drinking. What are non-alcoholic drinks In the broadest sense, a non-alcoholic drink is any beverage that does not contain alcohol. By this definition, water, soft drinks, juice and cordial have always been there, as well as coffee, tea, etc. However, in the more modern sense, non-alcoholic drinks, a.k.a. NA drinks or zero alcohol drinks refer to alternatives to alcohol-containing beverages. A non-alcoholic drink is defined as “a beverage containing less than 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) that…
-
Bowel cancer and diet
June is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, an annual reminder from Cancer Australia of a cancer that touches many lives and cannot only be prevented but also treated when caught in time. Bowel cancer is the second deadliest cancer in Australia. About 103 people die due to bowel cancer each week (about 5350 people per year). What is bowel cancer? “Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, can affect any part of the colon or rectum; it may also be referred to as colon cancer or rectal cancer, depending on where the cancer is located (1)”. Bowel cancer risk factors Like any health conditions, risk factors for bowel cancer can be…
You May Also Like
Fermented foods and health
Recipe: Low sugar pisco sour
Potatoes vs sweet potatoes
-
Winter weight gain
Winter weight gain is a well-documented issue around the world. There are several factors contributing to this, including the end of year holidays in the Northern Hemisphere. Winter weight gain due to holidays Studies have found people gain up anywhere from 0.41 to 0.88kg on average during the end of year holidays (Christmas, New Year, Thanksgiving in North America, etc.), which in the Northern Hemisphere occur in winter (1). This makes sense due to many factors that cluster around the holidays such as energy-dense meals and desserts, numerous social gatherings which involve food, increased alcohol intake, and a decrease in physical activity. Winter weight gain due to climate On the…
-
Survey: Non-alcoholic alternatives
Non-alcoholic alternatives to beer, wine and spirits are increasing in popularity. They are now available in regular supermarkets in addition to bottle shops and specialty stores. I have tried several non-alcoholic alternatives in the past, with more misses than hits. A few hits have been: I am in the process of testing other products for my own consumption but also to recommend to my clients. Please help me out by recommending any beverages you love below. Thanks in advance!
-
How to sandwich
Making a sandwich is very simple but if you rely on a sandwich as a meal you might be doing it wrong. In this article you will learn how to sandwich using components that will cover your nutritional needs. How to sandwich In its simplest form, a sandwich is a filling between 2 slices of bread. This is fine as a snack or as part of a meal. However, if you are having a sandwich as a main meal (breakfast, lunch or dinner) you want to make sure it is substantial and nutritious. The bread Normally, the bread is the main carbohydrate-containing component of a sandwich. For most people in…
-
Common weight loss mistakes
When embarking on a weight loss journey, it’s essential to navigate with care to avoid common weight loss mistakes that can hinder progress. Common weight loss mistakes The reasons why people struggle to lose weight are not the same for everyone. Each person comes with their own mix of biological, psychological, behavioural and environmental factors. However, if weight loss is difficult for you, chances are you are making one or more of the mistakes below. Drinking your calories Drinking calories is way easier and less satiating than eating calories. Most people will recognise soft drinks and alcoholic beverages as empty calories. However, there are other beverages such as juice, coffees…
