Is chocolate as harmful as smoking?
Recently a client was describing her frustration with trying to eliminate chocolate. Totally. When I delved into her reasons for doing this she said “like smoking, chocolate is bad for you, isn’t it?” ... “once you start, you can’t stop!” As an ex-smoker, she had...
Does being restrictive with our kids’ food make them healthier?
I enjoy the messages embedded in Aesop fables. There is one called ‘The Wind and the Sun’. It describes a competition between two of nature’s elements - the Wind and the Sun. They each set out to prove that they can make a passing traveller remove his cloak. Their...
If your body could talk
If your body could talk, what would it ask for: diet plans and calorie counting or intuitive eating? If your body could talk, what would it ask for: to be deprived and punished with food or to eat food to nourish it? If your body could talk, what would it ask for: to...
Sugar in moderation: well established or epiphany?
In last Sunday’s episode of 60 minutes, Liz Hayes interviewed Peter FitzSimons about his weight and health transformation. He explains how he went from being overweight, not exercising, drinking 2 bottles of wine at a time and eating junk food to then deciding to cut...
Upsize my nutrition
I am sure you’re familiar with the upsizing concept at food outlets – where you pay a little extra and get a larger portion of chips or soft drink. This is nutrition in reverse: getting extra fat, sugar and/or salt with little or no nutritional benefit. Instead we...
Grandma’s wise words about dieting
Are you always dieting and striving to be just that little bit thinner to be happy with your body? I once was. Then a comment by my Grandma changed that. During my childhood and early teenage years, I was never obsessed with my weight. I enjoyed my food, enjoyed...
Do I need to count calories to achieve weight loss?
Many believe it’s necessary to count calories to achieve weight loss. They may have decided that they "need to have 500 calories for each meal” or are “trying to stick to 1200 calories each day.” They may follow an exact, day by day diet plan ...with particular foods...
Are you resisting or embracing food temptations?
We often associate being tempted by food as a sign of weakness, greed or lack of willpower. We might even see it as harmful to our health. Being tempted to eat a food is seen as something to be fought, resist or overcome and, with practice, something that we can tame....
13 dieting habits to stop … and what to do instead!
Dieting rituals such as calorie counting, recording the amount of food, calories or fat eaten and even constant weighing are counter productive for empowered eating, good health and happiness. So, what habits should these be replaced with? Stop blaming yourself for...
Welcome (and not so welcome) changes to the new FDA Nutrition Facts Label
The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) 20 year old Nutrition Facts Label is getting a makeover! Although these changes apply to products produced in the US, given that they also appear on shelves in Australian supermarkets, understanding the changes is relevant for...
Why wait to make lifestyle changes?
“The Waiting Place... for people just waiting. Waiting for a train to go or a bus to come, or a plane to go or the mail to come, or the rain to go or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow or waiting around for a Yes or No or waiting for their hair to grow. Everyone...
A to Z of Mediterranean foods
Every cuisine has its signature foods and the Mediterranean diet is no exception. Mediterranean food is simple but surprisingly tasty and healthy. The health benefits of the diet are due to its nutritious, high plant content dishes which are prepared in a simple way...