What is your proudest achievement / moment in your career? There are so many amazing achievements in my 44 year career as a nutritionist, it’s hard to pick just one.  But something that I never get sick of hearing is from the people who have followed me or read my book and tell me how it changed their way of eating, their health and their families health.  Just the other day I was messaged by a follower who told  me she met a woman in her 40’s who was completely self-sufficient and big on homesteading. When this woman was asked what made her get into this lifestyle in the fi ..read more

I’ve just returned home after travelling for nearly 3 months through different countries and continents. The food and habits of the different countries and areas are remarkably different. Diets and circadian patterns differ from place to place.  I noticed that in Eastern and Western Europe the diet was filled with real food but as I made my way through some supermarkets as opposed to the fresh food markets, there were ultra-processed foods filled with additives and vegetable oils creeping into the local diets.  The European lifestyle is waking late, siesta in the afternoon then up ..read more

The Dietitians of Australia believe that everyone should have free access to nutritional advice through the Medicare system, at least 7 visits a year, unsurprisingly, I agree that people need more information and education on nutrition. This free access to support and advice is all well and good but the potential issue is already glaringly obvious to me insofar as to assume that the dieticians will no longer be working for themselves but rather be working for the government and, therefore have to follow the guidelines of the government including how many tests they can request and what they ..read more

The arrival of a new year brings with it the promise of a fresh start, a chance to embrace positive changes and set intentions for a healthier, happier life. As you embark on this new chapter, you may want to take a look at our top 10 tips to help you set meaningful intentions and foster a commitment to your well-being. 1. Reflect on Your Health Journey: Before setting new intentions, take a moment to reflect on your health journey from the past year. Celebrate your achievements and acknowledge areas where you can grow. Reflecting on both successes and challenges can provide valuable insight ..read more

Nourishing Your Health During the Festive Season: Your Simple Guide to Smart Holiday Eating The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and, often, indulgence. While it’s perfectly normal to enjoy special treats, it’s essential to prioritize your health and maintain a balance. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you stay health-focused during the holidays without missing out on the festive fun. 1. Start with Smart Choices: Begin your holiday gatherings by making wise food choices. Opt for a vibrant and diverse selection of whole, nutrient-dense foods that will nourish your body. Load y ..read more

A recent study published has found that ‘not all ultra-processed foods are bad for you.’  The study highlights a correlation between consumables such as sugary artificial sweetened drinks and processed meats and the increased chances of cancer, heart disease and type 2 diabetes, while no such correlation between foods higher in fibre including breads, cereals, sweets, desserts, prepared meals, plant-based meats and milks, and savoury snacks was mentioned. The study begins with this statement. “It is currently unknown whether ultra-processed foods (UPFs) consumption is associated with a ..read more

Healthy Holiday Season Recipes It’s the holiday season once again and we all know that that means a little extra socialising and a lot more food! We truly love that food is something that brings people together, and we know that it can feel a little daunting knowing that there’ll be all sorts of temptations or dishes that may not agree with you on the tables of our friends and families this year. But, we love seeing the silly season as an opportunity to get creative in the kitchen and a fantastic example of how you can stay on track with your intake, whilst still enjoying yourself! Queue our ..read more

What actually is lab-grown meat? The USDA has just allowed for lab grown meats otherwise known as cultured meats (not to be confused with plant-based meats) to be available in the US human food supply.  The Australian equivalent has received an application from an Australian based company to have cultured meats allowed in our food supply. With this, I thought it was time for me to find out something about how this cultured meat is created.  Before I start, I must say that I did not expect to see so much complexity in the manufacturing process, beginning with the animal cells, how t ..read more

PCOS stands for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. It is the most common endocrine disorder – affecting 12-18% of Australian women of child bearing age – but it’s estimated that almost 70% of women don’t even know they have it. Common PCOS symptoms PCOS disrupts women’s hormones, and it can present a myriad of symptoms including: Missing periods, period irregularities, spotting or heavy bleeding Abdominal pain/cramps Excess and unwanted facial hair Hair loss Acne or skin issues Weight gain Insulin resistance Moodiness Anxiety or depression Sleep issues Multiple cysts on the ovaries Low libido Fat ..read more

How many times have you been told to reduce your salt intake? If you’re eating too much of it, that’s fair enough. But if you’re using salt as a condiment, then don’t change the amount you’re using – change the kind of salt you’re using. Very few foods have been vilified like salt, saturated fat, sugar and now animal protein, yet each one of these foods have been in the diet for a lot longer than the disease they supposedly cause.  It’s not so much the food that is the problem but what we’ve done to it. Sodium, one half of salt, is an essential nutrient: It’s vital for cellular function ..read more