Why Keep a Food Diary?

Being accountable to your food intake can ultimately be the difference between achieving your goal and not achieving your goal. One of the easiest ways to be accountable is to keep a food diary. You can track what you eat, when you eat, when you stick to your plan and when you struggle to.

It is such an amazing tool to keep you on track, conscious of your intake, and watching out for areas you can improve on. It is NOT about making yourself feel bad or pointing out every time you went s stray from the meal plan.

It is all about ACCOUNTABILITY.

How can I keep a food diary?

• Writing it down on paper or in a journal
• Using an app on your phone, ipad or laptop (i.e. Doc's Diet Diary)

What do I need to track?

• How much you eat AND drink– portions in cups or grams
• What you eat – everything involved writing ‘salad’ is no descriptive enough
• When you eat – timing is everything with food intake when you eat can affect your progress
• Why you eat – is it according to your meal plan? Is it because you are bored?

What else should I track on my food diary?

• Your thoughts/emotions – can help you understand why you make certain food choices
• Any symptoms you are having – if there is an intolerance? Or fatigue in a training session
• Your training – to ensure you are fueling your body & staying accountable to your training
• Supplements & medications – to ensure you are sticking to your regime and timing

Should I share my food diary?

Not on Facebook but to a trusted health & fitness professional that can give you some honest and constructive feedback on how you are going. Making a few small adjustments can be the difference between achieving your goal and not achieving your goal

At Naed Nutrition we offer food diary feedback as part of many of our packages and services however you can choose it on it’s own for only $10 per week: Food Diary Feedback

Top 7 Food Additives to Avoid

Additives are found everywhere in our packaged products but what do those little numbers mean and which ones should you look out for? Here are our top 7 list of food additives to avoid:  

1. Aspartame # 951 C found in Diet Foods & diet soft drinks, equal,

Linked to many health problems including cancer, asthma, nausea, depressions, hyperactivity, seizures.  Causes dizziness, headaches & hallucinations

2. Olestra (Fat substitute) found in chips, crackers (no fat/reduced fat)

Linked to diarrhoea cramps, flatulence, increases appetite, decrease the ability for fat soluble vitamins to be absorbed.

3. Erythrosine #E127 (red) found in jams, sugar lollies, toppings & fillings, red cordials and soups

Linked to concentration issues, increase in hyperactivity in kids, nerve toxin

4. MSG #621 found in Chinese, salad dressings, soups, chips

Linked to Asthma, hyperactivity, depression, mood changes, sleeplessness, nausea, migraine, linked to infertility, teratogen, convulsions, abdominal discomfort. See text re other hidden sources of MSG

Causes headaches, dizziness, migraines, convulsions

5. Sodium Nitrate #251/250 found in Bacon, ham, salami, corned beef, hot dogs

Linked to Hyperactivity, behavioral problems, asthma, headaches, dizziness, possible carcinogen. Prohibited in foods for infants and young children.

6. Sulfites #222/223/228 eg: sodium bisulphite (222) Found in wine, beer and dried fruit

Linked to migraines and asthma attacks in some people

7.  Tartrazine #E102 (yellow) found in lollies, desserts, cereal and soft drinks

Linked to Hyperactivity, behavioral problems, skin rashes, migraines and thyroid problems.

Remember they won’t always be listed under these names or numbers, for example Tartrazine #E102 is listed as FD&C yellow 5 or C.I. 19140. Be consumer aware & download the free app Additive Alert!

For more information on becoming consumer aware with your foods contact us at admin@naednutrition.com.au

Smoothie Bowl

Smoothie bowls are currently taking over our social media and we have to admit they look delicious! But are these colourful fruit filled bowls actually good for us? At Naed Nutrition we get excited about breakfast, the endless array of options that start your day in a positive way and fuel yourself for the day ahead; smoothies have to be one of our favourites. Smoothies are a fantastic fast and convenient breakfast option especially for those on the go, simply prep and portion your smoothies and freeze in zip lock bags for the week ahead to grab out in morning, blitz and go!

When preparing smoothies limit yourself to one piece or 1/2 -1/4 cup of fruit, try to add some greens like a handful of kale or baby spinach, and add a protein source; whether a scoop of a good quality protein powder (we recommend Boomers Whey Protein Isolate) or 1-2tbs of LSA mix or mixed unsalted nuts and seeds. By adding a protein source to your smoothie you assist to regulate insulin and blood sugar levels, stay fuller for longer, and create a slow release energy that will last you well into morning tea.

A smoothie bowl is essentially a smoothie poured into a bowl topped with an array of fruits, nuts, and seeds. They can be a delicious meal eaten any time of the day filled with an array of nutrients, just ensure you don't add too many toppings as you have already blitzed up your requirements in the smoothie, therefore by adding an additional array of toppings you are essentially adding extra calories that you may not require, depending on your activity level for the day. The recipe below details a smoothie bowl of a healthy portion size!

Ingredients

1 scoop of protein powder

1/4 cup of berries or 1 piece of fresh fruit

2 handfuls of baby spinach or kale

150mL unsweetened unflavoured almond milk

1 tbl natural probiotic yogurt

1 tsp of chia seeds

1 tsp flax seeds

1 tsp roughly chopped walnuts

Directions

Blend protein powder, berries/fruit, spinach/kale, unsweetened almond milk and yogurt in a blender until smooth. Pour into a bowl and top with chia seeds, flax seeds and walnuts. Enjoy!

Zesty Salmon & Roasted Beets Recipe

Summer is upon us and this means its salad season! Zesty salmon fillets atop a fresh spinach salad with wholesome roasted beets sounds like summer to us at Naed Nutrition, and we want to share this delicious recipe to get you excited about fish and fresh produce!

Many of us rarely eat our recommended 2-3 servings of fish a week, and many of us find it difficult to create recipes that incorporate fish. At Naed Nutrition we regularly receive comments from clients that they don't like fish or have tried it and couldn't stand the 'fishy' taste. Don't give up!  a fresh fillet of fish should in no way smell or taste fishy, the key is to buy fresh produce from your local market, grocer or fish monger.

Fresh fish, especially salmon, mackerel, sardines and even tuna can provide you with omega 3 fatty acids, specifically EPA & DHA.  Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) lowers blood pressure, prevents blood clott formation, protects against irregular heart beats, and reduces inflammation. While Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), is essential for the central nervous system, brain development and normal brain function. Regular intake of omega 3 fatty acids will help to reduce joint pain, arthritis, inflammation and assist to maintain cardiovascular and brain health. Regular consumption of fish can assist to improve your health in a number of ways, therefore give this recipe a try!

Ingredients

4 small fresh beetroots, around 200g

1tbs extra virgin olive oil

1 tsp coriander seeds, lightly crushed

2 skinless salmon fillets

2 small oranges, zest of 1 and juice of ½ 

3tbs pumpkin seeds

1 garlic clove

1 red onion, finely chopped

4 handfuls of baby spinach

1 avocado, thickly sliced

Directions 

Preheat oven to 180 C, 160C fan. Trim the stems of the beetroot and reserve any tender leaves that are suitable for eating in the salad. Cut the beetroots into quarters then toss with ½ tbsp oil, the coriander seeds, and some seasoning then pile into the centre of a large sheet of foil and wrap up like a parcel. Bake for 45 minutes or until the beetroots are tender then top with the salmon, scatter over half the orange zest and return to the oven for 15 mins. If you want to toast the pumpkin seeds, put them in the oven for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, cut the peel and pith from 2 oranges then cut out the segments with a sharp knife working over a bowl to catch the juices. Finely grate the garlic and leave for 10 minutes to allow the enzymes to activate. Stir the garlic into the orange juice and remaining oil with seasoning to make a dressing.

Remove the parcel from the oven and carefully lift off the fish. Tip the beetroot into a bowl with the red onion, remaining orange zest, pumpkin seeds and spinach leaves and toss well. Gently toss through the orange segments and avocado with any remaining beet leaves, then pile onto plates and top with the warm salmon. Drizzle over the dressing and serve.

Green Tea x 50 is not Green Tea

I have been asked about this supplement on numerous occasions, and come across clients with the misinformation that Green Tea x 50 is green tea. This post will describe how the two items differ.

What is Green Tea?

Green tea is made from Camellia sinensis leaves that have undergone minimal oxidation during processing. 

What does Green Tea contain?

B vitamins, folate (naturally occurring folic acid), manganese, potassium, magnesium, caffeine.

Like any other caffeine containing item there can be side effects with the amount you consume depending on sensitivity levels. These include such as nausea, vomiting, mood changes, restlessness, heart palpitations and insomnia. 

There is 25mg of caffeine per serve
(A regular coffee can contain from 120mg-220mg caffeine per serve)

Benefits of Green Tea

•          Reduce blood pressure
•          Control blood sugar levels
•          Boost metabolism
•          Reduce cholesterol levels
•          Reduce inflammation
•          And much more

What is Green Tea x 50

Green tea x 50 marketed as a concentrated green tea supplement providing you with the benefit of 20 cups of green tea in one serve

What is in Green Tea x 50?

Green Tea Extract (16%) – is mostly safe and is beneficial for boosting metabolism, cancer prevention and reducing LDL cholesterol, it can also causes issue in those with anaemia, diabetics, digestive concerns, mood disorders, glaucoma, liver concerns and osteoporosis just to name a few. Side effects include nausea, vomiting, mood changes, restlessness, heart palpitations and insomnia. There can be a negative interactions with statins, drugs affecting liver enzymes that remove caffeine from your body such as antibiotics, antihistamines and the contraceptive pill. There is 27mg of caffeine per serve

Resveratrol Extract (5.5%) – is mostly safe and for the most part can help reduce LDL cholesterol levels & increase HDL cholesterol levels, however it can interact with some statins, antibiotics, antihistamines, voltaren, Panadol basically any medications that are changed by the liver. This means the medication will take longer to break down increasing the effect AND side effects of the medication

Maltodextrin – natural but highly processed. Generally, maltodextrin comes from corn, rice, or potato starch. It is a carbohydrate. It can affect blood sugar levels and negatively affect your gut flora

Ascorbic Acid - an isolate of Vitamin C and safe to ingest providing there is no allergy to this compound. The amount that is used is not listed and an excess of ascorbic acid is most likely to be diarrhoea as your body excretes the excess.  

Xylitol – is a sugar alcohol general found in small amounts of fruits. Whilst in small amounts pose no risk, in large amounts (amount is not listed on this product) can cause bloating, diarrhoea, spike blood sugar levels, diabetes and promote tumour growth

Citric Acid - is a natural preservative found in citrus fruit. Side effects from this preservative in excessive amounts are nausea, diarrhoea, bloating cramps but can be severe as swelling and tingling in your extremities. It can react with supplements containing calcium, antacids, decongestants, UTI and lithium medications.

Natural Flavours & Colours – this means there are other flavours and colours that do not need to be listed in or named in specific amounts. This will only be a concern if there is an allergy to a paritcular colour or flavour.

Malic Acid – found in apples this will add the sour content to the product and is safe to ingest and mostly used in topical creams, however it has also been found useful for fibromyalgia sufferers.

Alfalfa – is a beneficial herb which can lower cholesterol levels, reducing inflammation and levelling blood sugar levels. It should not be consumed in excess in pregnancy or oestrogen sensitive conditions as it is seen as a phytoestrogen, it can also increase the symptoms of auto-immune diseases.  Medications it may affect include warfarin, contraception pills and immune suppressants

Sucralose- is a synthetic sweetener that the body is unable to metabolise. It is a sweetener which through many studies have should to cause migraines, gastrointestinal issues as well as a possible link to some cancers only in excessive amounts

Pepper – is often used to enhance the absorption rates of some nutrients and a power nutrient. An excess of pepper can affect any medications that are changed by the liver (as listed above)

Fortunately this product lists all ingredients included (anything less than 5% does not have to be listed) and it is recommended at serve 2 serves per day (3g per serve). This product also meets all TGA guidelines & all ingredients are listed are minimal amounts as directed by TGA 


Before consuming any supplement it is important you are aware of the ingredients and it is important to contact your health care professional to help decide whether a product is safe for you. If you have any questions about supplements you are taken please contact Naed Nutrition at admin@naednutrition.com.au

Oxidative Stress & Cancer Development

I recently attended an integrative oncology seminar that ignited an interest in nutrition and cancer prevention, therapy and treatment. I wanted to share some of the eye opening information I learned in terms of oxidative stress and its role in cancer development, and how nutrition therapy can help to prevent its progresssion.

The cells within our bodies undergo millions of divisions every day, and these divisions are highly sensitive to oxidative damage and stress. Oxidative stress occurs as a result of a build up of free radicals, otherwise know as ROS (reactive oxygen species), these molecules are a byproduct of energy consumption within mitochondria, the powerhouses of our cells. Everyday activities such as breathing, eating and exercising produce free radicals. These free radicals can accumulate in high amounts and damage our cells and leave tissues unable to function correctly, leading to the formation of health conditions and disease, including cancer.

There is a specific time of cell division that is sensitive to oxidative damage known as the spindle checkpoint, this is a stage of cell division that safeguards chromosome division to ensure the correct number of chromosomes are formed, if there is any error in cell division this checkpoint will halt division while the error is fixed. Oxidative stress overrides this checkpoint and therefore can result in aneuploidy, which causes an abnormal amount of chromosomes to form in a cell and DNA damage. This cell instability can lead to malignant tumor formation.

Aneuploidy can be reduced by the lifelong supplementation of antioxidants. Antioxidants are naturally occurring chemicals found in certain foods that prevent cell damage, help to maintain tissues and prevent disease. Chromosomal instability characteristic of cancer formation can be reduced via the intake or supplementation of the following antioxidants:

CoQ10 – An antioxidant essential for basic cell function and co enzyme used in energy production. CoQ10 is produced within the body but can be obtained via diet and supplementation.  CoQ10 is found naturally in beef, poultry, fish, soybean & canola oil, sesame seeds, pistachios, fruits and vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, oranges and strawberries.

Vitamin E – A fat-soluble antioxidant that is one of the body’s primary defenders against free radicals, acting to prevent oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids and other lipids. Vitamin E is particularly beneficial in preventing LDL cholesterol oxidation, reducing risks of heart disease.  Vitamin E is found in polyunsaturated plant oils, leafy green vegetables, wheat germ, whole grains, nuts and seeds.

Plant Flavonoids – Found in green tea, soy, milk thistle, turmeric and ginger, flavonoids are a group of phytochemical's with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that act to maintain cell membranes. 

Therefore, through regular intake of coQ10, vitamin E and a range of plant flavonoids, oxidative stress can be reduced effectively reducing cell instability caused by free radical damage and reducing risks of cancer progression.

5 Tips to Staying Hydrated in Winter

You would never think hydration could be an issue during winter, as there is no way you could possibly become dehydrated as you are not profusely sweating like the hot days of summer. Dehydration can still occur in winter, if not at a more accelerated rate! Fluid loss occurs via water vapour loss from breathing, along with loss via an increased urine output, as the kidneys attempt to maintain blood pressure while blood vessels constrict as a survival mechanism in cold temperatures

Dehydration in winter can increase your susceptibility to illness especially colds and flu, along with common symptoms of fatigue, headaches and cramps. Hydration is essential for every day metabolic processes, along with fighting fatigue, detoxifying, facilitating weight loss, improving digestion and leading to clearer skin and less wrinkles. Meeting your fluid intakes of 1L per 20kg of body weight can be tough enough in summer let alone in winter! 

Below lists a few tips to meet your fluid needs this winter

#1 Herbal teas are a fantastic way to curb cravings and keep you warm this winter, they are full of antioxidants and when caffeine free, can add to your water intake – green, chamomile, lemongrass & ginger, or peppermint are a few of our favourite

#2 Soups and broths not only keep you warm in winter but when packed full off veggies, herbs and spices can facilitate immune health and help to prevent or suppress sickness

#3 Increasing your fruit and vegetable intake will add to your water intake along with providing your body with essential vitamins and minerals to provide all round winter nourishment

#4 Start your morning with a warm water and lemon. Before breakfast or any drinks for the day a warm water and lemon prepares your body for food, it aims to detoxify and clear out your system causing bowel movements and correcting the bodies pH balance

#5 Reduce your intake of processed and packaged foods along with holding back on the salt at the dinner table. Dehydration is significantly caused by a high sodium intake, so aim to prepare your own meals and use fresh herbs and spices to add flavour to your home made dishes.

Sarah Campbell

Nutritionist at Naed Nutrition - Currambine

Which Yoghurt Do I Pick?

Take a walk down the chilled section of your local supermarket and there is an abundance of yoghurt! Low fat yoghurt, organic yoghurt, lactose free yoghurt, vanilla yoghurt, diet yoghurt . . . the list is endless. Commonly marketed as a healthy snack or aimed to increase your calcium intake, why should we eat yoghurt, does it actually have any health benefits and which one should you choose?! The following article will compare and contrast common yoghurts seen at your local supermarket including Mundella, Five:am organic, Chobani, Liddells lactose free, Ski D’lite and So Delicious organic coconut, including comparisons of plain/natural, flavoured and vanilla within each brand.

Studies have shown that regular consumption of yoghurt in a balanced diet assists with weight loss and maintenance. Research has also found that probiotic intake via yoghurt consumption assists to improve immune health leading to decreased infection and severity of the common cold, particularity after prolonged antibiotic consumption. Probiotic ingestion also assists to improve gut and intestinal health, resulting in a reduction in bloating, constipation and diarrhoea. Regular probiotic ingestion is specifically effective in alleviating symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

High in protein to encourage satiety and fullness, yogurt is rich in a range of vitamin and minerals imperative to health, including:

Calcium - healthy bones & teeth, muscle movement, cardiovascular health

Phosphorous – healthy bones & teeth, energy metabolism, acid-base balance

B12 – cell synthesis, nerve cell health, energy metabolism
Riboflavin/B2 – energy metabolism

Mundella Greek Yoghurt
Macronutrients/100g	Natural	Honey	Vanilla
Protein	4.5	2.8	4.3
Fat	8.5	7.7	6.9
Carbohydrate	6.4	13.1	12.2

Five:am Organic
Macronutrients/100g	Natural	Honey + Cinnamon	Vanilla
Protein	5	4.8	4.7
Fat	4.5	5.2	5.1
Carbohydrate	6.1	13.7	11.6

Chobani
Macronutrients/100g	Plain	Mixed Berry	Vanilla
Protein	8.7	8	8.7
Fat	4	1.7	0
Carbohydrate	4.7	12.7	10.7

Liddells Lactose Free Yoghurt
Macronutrients/100g	Plain	Strawberry
Protein	4.5	3.8
Fat	2.9	2.5
Carbohydrate	10	12.2

Ski D’lite Yoghurt
Macronutrients/100g	Honey	Smashed Berry	Vanilla
Protein	4.9	5	4.9
Fat	1	1	1
Carbohydrate	16.8	15.1	14.9

So Delicious Organic Coconut Greek Style Yoghurt
Macronutrients/100g	Plain	Strawberry	Vanilla
Protein	1.7	1.7	1.7
Fat	4.2	3.8	3.8
Carbohydrate	18.7	21	22.9

Through the comparison of varied yoghurt brands and flavours we can see that natural or plain yoghurt displays the lowest figures in terms of fat and sugar, amongst high figures of protein. These figures translate to a healthy food option that will keep you fuller for longer, without added sugars causing blood sugar spikes increasing your risks of inflammation and a range of health conditions. At Naed Nutrition we recommend pot set yoghurts as the healthiest yoghurt option, this is because the yoghurt is fermented in the pot/tub it is sold in and is therefore nutritionally rich, Mundella and Jalna are popular brands available in your local supermarket, which also contain high amount of probiotics. To add sweetness and flavor to natural or plain yoghurt simply add fresh fruit or berries, along with nuts and seeds for additional fibre, antioxidants, protein and good fats for a healthy satisfying snack!

Sarah Campbell

Nutritionist at Naed Nutrition - Currambine