Diet

In the 1980s a new type of naturally occurring dietary fibre was discovered and named resistant starch, as it “resists” digestion in the small intestine and makes its way to the large bowel. Good bacteria in the large bowel ferment the resistant starch and in the process enhance protection against bowel cancer. Over the last […]

In days gone by there wasn’t a lot of choice in milk. In most cases it came straight from the dairy or in glass bottles, with cream on top and delivered to your front door. Now, the dairy case is bursting with a huge range of milks, plus there’s the convenience of UHT long life […]

Try taking a journey through your bones. Stand in front of a full-length mirror in your underwear or something tight fitting. Have a close look at the general shape of your posture and begin to identify some of the bony landmarks, working from the ground up. Feet Place the feet underneath the hip joints, about […]

Align your bones in the standing position, with hands on hips and use your fingers to monitor activity in the oblique muscles. Remember to direct your sit bones towards the floor, lengthen the natural curves of the spine and soften the knees. Begin to move the pelvis by directing your sit bones forward to the […]

There's nothing worse than finding the motivation to drag yourself out of the house for that run, swim or cycle than to be struck down with a cramp or stitch. The pain can really hit you hard and literally stop you in your tracks.

Ballet dancers are renowned for their grace and beauty and Bodywise, a posture book created by highly respected members of the teaching staff from The Australian Ballet, introduces the reader to some of the ideas that dancers use to help achieve their physical goals.

There’s nothing worse than finding the motivation to drag yourself out of the house for that run, swim or cycle than to be struck down with a cramp or stitch. The pain can really hit you hard and literally stop you in your tracks. Common as they are, funnily enough, there is not that much […]

Ballet dancers are renowned for their grace and beauty and Bodywise, a posture book created by highly respected members of the teaching staff from The Australian Ballet, introduces the reader to some of the ideas that dancers use to help achieve their physical goals. Bodywise presents a fresh program of exercises chosen for their simplicity, […]

Congratulations! By deciding to quit smoking you’ve made one of the most significant steps you can take towards good health. Every year 150,000 Australians quit smoking for good. When smokers quit however, most get cravings, feel anxious, hungry and irritable. They also find it hard to focus and concentrate and many worry about the unwanted […]

What is fructose? Fructose is a naturally occurring type of sugar found in many fruits, some vegetables and honey. Just like with lactose (milk sugar) intolerance, it appears that not everyone has the ability to absorb fructose properly. Why is fructose malabsorption a problem? Researchers are now concentrating on investigating the role fructose malabsorption plays […]

In studies that have compared physically active subjects with their sedentary counterparts, it has been found that those that are more active develop protective defenses against many chronic diseases including diabetes, heart disease and osteoporosis. Let's take a closer look at the mechanisms involved.

In studies that have compared physically active subjects with their sedentary counterparts, it has been found that those that are more active develop protective defenses against many chronic diseases including diabetes, heart disease and osteoporosis. Let’s take a closer look at the mechanisms involved. Diabetes and exercise Exercise is known to improve glucose control, i.e. […]

1. Love your own body Does my bum look fat in this? We know that children mimic behaviour…that’s how they learn, and it’s no different with body image issues. If they hear mum complaining about the size of her thighs or the fact that dad has never had a six pack or that big sister […]

People all over the globe have a love affair with this feel good food. And it’s not just the warm, fuzzy childhood memories conjured up by chocolate that boost your mood. Chocolate is thought to actually promote the release of endorphins, natural chemicals, in the brain. As chocolate is high in fat and kilojoules, big […]

You know you’re meant to drink 2-3 litres of water a day, but if you’re drinking other liquids, do you factor them into your kilojoule count? There’s no denying that fluid replacement is a vital part of keeping your body functioning. And most of us know that somewhere between 2-3 litres of water a day […]

Are You Eating the Wrong Vegetables? Even if you ‘do the right thing’ and eat five servings of fruits and vegetables every day, it doesn’t mean you’re getting all the nutrients your body needs. According to a recent study at Arizona State University, the top three vegetables eaten in Western countries are iceberg lettuce, French […]

Get back on track this year with my top 10 healthy lifestyle tips for 2005. You might like to adopt 1 or all 10. Print out the lifestyle tips and stick them on the fridge or your pin board at work, as a daily reminder. Or write them throughout your diary as memory joggers at […]

With focus these days on functional foods, breakfast cereals are one group that has its fair share of super ingredients. Let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits in your bowl. There’s no debate on the power of breakfast as the most important meal of the day for good health, disease prevention, weight […]

When it comes to introducing solids, slow and steady certainly wins the race. Let’s take a look at a few of the fundamentals and latest advice. If you’re a first time mum and have a baby around the four month mark, you’re probably getting excited about starting solids. But before you rush into stocking the […]

This month we take a look at Tai Chi, an ancient craft that's suitable for any age and any stage.

This month we take a look at Tai Chi, an ancient craft that’s suitable for any age and any stage. Walk around any bustling Asian city in the early morning and you’re bound to see countless locals practicing the ancient craft of Tai Chi. Public parks, gardens and even balconies are filled with people of […]

The celebrity mums make it look a breeze, but most women will agree that it takes a lot of hard work to lose the baby bulge.

Even though your mum harped on about eating your greens, for maximum health protection, you should really eat your reds, purples, oranges and blues too!

Here's our detailed zinc counter to help you keep your levels on track and boost your immune system.

I love cooking and entertaining, however my husband has just been diagnosed with coeliac disease. I was hoping that you could provide me with some hints on how to approach his special...

If you’re a woman in her 40’s it’s likely that you’ve started to face changes to your body. These changes can have big effects emotionally and physically, but the good news is that a wealth of ongoing research is being conducted into your specific nutrition requirements to best protect your health.

If you are starting a new fitness program with a gym or personal trainer chances are the first stop is an assessment of your current status.

Screening and treatment techniques in Australia are becoming more specific, refined and effective each year.

To mark Breast Awareness month, the Cancer Council is reminding women to be more aware of their breasts so they will notice any changes.

Here is a seven-day sample of "The Magazine Editors' Diet"

When the Director of The Australian Women's Weekly's Test Kitchen, Pamela Clark, decided to go on a diet, she took matters into her own hands, devising a low-carb, low-fat eating plan that helped her lose 20kg and drop three dress sizes.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and disability in Australia. There’s so much information around about eating for a healthy heart and you may feel that you’ve got it covered. However, a recent survey by the Heart Foundation showed that confusion still reigns when it comes to nutrition messages.

Use this counter to help you keep your calcium levels on track. Your bones will support you for life!

By Annette Campbell Amanda Logan has some wonderful news for those of us struggling with excess weight. “I’ve lost 20 kilograms … and it really was much easier than I thought,” she declares. “Honestly, I thought I’d have to eat almost nothing and run up sand dunes or something to shift this weight. “But I’ve […]

Calcium is important not only for the growth and development of our skeleton but to help maintain bone strength throughout our lives.

It appears that the Swiss ball was actually invented in Switzerland by a Swiss doctor nearly 100 years ago but it is only in more recent times that this ‘posture corrector’ has become popular as a training tool for many sports people and fitness fans.

The Pap test is a simple test that can pick up early changes in the cells of your cervix which, if left untreated, may develop into a more serious precancerous form (abnormal changes that are not cancer but may become cancerous) or cancer.

The Pap test is a simple test that can pick up early changes in the cells of your cervix which, if left untreated, may develop into a more serious precancerous form (abnormal changes that are not cancer but may become cancerous) or cancer.

Without doubt, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but it’s also the most neglected meal.

There are a lot of myths circulating about carbohydrate foods, particularly breads and cereals, and the biggest one would have to be that they make you fat. Diets that wipe out carbohydrates are...

By Annette Campbell Tracie Fielding never used to like what she saw in the mirror. The now 17-year-old from the western suburbs of Brisbane, QLD, remembers running to her room and crying after being called “hippo” by her brother, when she weighed 57kg at the age of 10. As a young teen she was painfully […]

Aches and pains of the joints don’t necessarily mean you have arthritis and since the disease has so many forms, diagnosing isn’t always immediate or easy. Some types of arthritis are very common an...

Does snacking help or hinder weight loss?

A guide to healthier choices when you’re out and about

Surfing is taking off as more and more people embrace the benefits of this all round body and mood pleaser.

Going nutty – a guide to reaping the nutrition benefits of nuts.

Even in the cooler months it’s important to drink up for physical activity. While sweating buckets during a summer run places you at greater risk of dehydration, it’s also possible to lose significant body fluid during indoor, winter pursuits like lap swimming.

Pump up the volume – how changes to the energy density of a meal can lower your kilojoule intake but still keep you satisfied.

Best-selling Australian author and National Treasure, Colleen McCullough, has Macular Degeneration (MD) – the major cause of blindness in Australia.

Tips on handling those “too tired to cook” nights.

The nutrition pros and cons of the juice bar invasion.

A study at the New Jersey University of Medicine found that a starter of tomato soup was highly successful at cutting down on subsequent food intake. Cooked or processed tomatoes contain...

Diaries have proven to be some of the great historical records of our time, but they are also proven tools for weight management.

Fishy things you should know about.

Exercise in water is one of the lowest impact aerobic training activities on offer. It’s a great option during pregnancy, if you have an injury or if you’re not comfortable working up a sweat in a gym-based aerobics class.

Below are some facts you may not know about becoming an organ donor, and how your decision could save somebody's life.

When it comes to weight loss, there’s a lot to learn from people who have lost the weight long-term. Although it’s relatively easy to lose weight initially, especially if you follow a structured diet or program, keeping the weight off is a much harder task.

Latest research shows that certain oils could be essential in killing harmful bacteria.

Honey has never tasted so sweet.

We're all familiar with the risk factors associated with heart disease: a high-fat diet, a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, etc. But talking too fast? According to a study in The Journal of...

Omega-3s Help Mental Illness

As a parent you are your child’s first teacher and their lifetime role model. Just as little girls want to dress up in Mummy’s shoes, kids often emulate eating and exercise patterns from their parents too.

Pack a punch with a healthy lunch!

With a growing number of Australian children suffering from obesity, it is important to emphasise the importance of physical activity from an early age. It can take as little as 30 minutes of exercise each day to maintain optimal weight and health, but being physically active has a wide range of additional benefits for kids. They’re more likely to gain new skills, friends and confidence through sport. They will also sleep better, feel more energetic and get the most out of life.

How to find motivation to get started and keep going with your New Year weight loss goals?

Snacking is an important part of any healthy eating plan. But what to snack on during that mid-meal break? Karen Inge gives you her top ten treats.

There is a sport for everyone. Get inspired and try something new. Read on - pilates just might be the fitness solution you've been looking for.

Ever wondered why you can stay healthy through a stressful month at work, then come down with a cold as soon as you take a break?

If you need surgery, make sure you have two things. A great surgeon and a roommate who's just been through the same thing. Researchers from the American Psychological Association have...

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have found that broccoli sprouts have a high concentration of cancer-fighting compounds. The tiny sprouts pack up to between 10 and 100 times more...

You know that chewing gum can help bad breath, and many ex-smokers have kicked the habit by using it - but did you know that chewing gum is also a natural remedy for heartburn? Researchers...

Latest research shows that certain oils could be essential in killing harmful bacteria.

Honey has never tasted so sweet.

A variety of studies have shown a connection between low levels of vitamin A and lung cancer. Now new research published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute indicates the same may be true for breast cancer. The researchers found that women with breast cancer were less likely to have a particular protein called CRBP, which facilitates the proper digestion and use of vitamin A.

Enjoy the spice of life with healthy herbs.

Snacking may seem like a sensible way to keep your energy levels up, but all-day grazing can put you at increased risk for type II diabetes, stroke and heart disease, say researchers from the Hannah...

Think you know a lot about health and nutrition? Take this quiz and see how much you really know!

1c: Kale has 80 mg a cup, while a medium orange has 70 mg and a medium sweet potato has 28 mg. 2c: They both do, but monounsaturated oils - found in olive oil, almonds and avocado - have the...

Mealtimes should be a perfect time for contemplation and relaxation. Unfortunately, we often gobble down our food in cars, in front of the TV and on the go- rarely stopping to truly taste and appreciate it. When we eat like this, the experience doesn’t register in our brains, says dietician Evelyn Tribole, and the result […]

New research confirms that omega-3 fatty acids may help save your heart, and relieve depression. Harvard School of Public Health researchers recently examined records of nearly 85,000 participants in the Nurses’ Health Study and found a 33 per cent drop in heart disease risk among those who took in the most omega-3s by regularly eating […]

Here are some simple ways to make sure the vitamins in your food don’t go to waste. Don’t boil vegetables for too long. The water leeches out vitamins B and C. Instead, lightly boil or steam them. An exception is carrots, which should be boiled very lightly in order to break down the cell walls, […]

“Eating is not merely a material pleasure. Eating gives spectacular joy to life.” -Elsa Schiaparelli, fashion designer. It’s not good enough to think: “I’ll just have a salad”, if what you’re putting on top of it is cancelling out any health benefits. By learning which oils are better for you than others, and experimenting with […]

Beans may be better than meat when it comes to maintaining strong bones, according to researchers at the University of California in San Francisco. They found that elderly women who consume more animal protein than vegetable protein usually experience more hip fractures and bone loss. Researchers hypothesise that when the body digests animal protein it […]

Improve your longevity by eating what’s possibly the healthiest diet in the world. On some small islands of Japan called Okinawa you’ll find more centenarians than anywhere else in the world. But what’s most surprising is that they’re not just old, they’re incredibly healthy. In fact, scientific studies of elderly Okinawans have found they have […]

It’s easy to be confused about exactly how much a serving is. Here’s an easy guide to what one serving equals. Vegetables: 1 cup of raw, leafy vegetables or 1/2 cup of other vegetables, cooked or chopped raw. Fruits: 1/2 cup of chopped, cooked or canned fruit; 1 medium apple, banana or orange; 3/4 cup […]

1. Spice up your meals. You’ll eat less. 2. Bulk up your salads. Chop vegetables into bigger pieces instead of shredding or slicing. You’ll chew more and eat less. 3.Drink water before your meal to decrease your appetite. 4.Try a juice spritzer, instead of juice. Just mix half of your favourite juice with water or […]

We all know the best way to stay well and get all the nutrients we need is to eat a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. Problem is – we just don’t do it! Nuts, seeds, fresh fruit and vegetables are all free from colours, preservatives and emulsifiers. It makes sense that if we […]

Apples and apple juice have a low glycaemic index (GI) which means they keep you feeling full for longer. To make the most of your apple juice, stir the extracted fruit fibre back into the juice. A 200g apple has 4g dietary fibre, as much as three slices of mixed grain bread. To make a […]

Bananas are a nutritionally complex and unique fruit, possibly because they don’t come from a tree at all, but a giant fruiting herb, the world’s largest. Bananas are the only fruit to contain all the major vitamins. They’re high in dietary fibre, potassium and magnesium, and have two to three times more carbohydrate than other […]

Fibre is a vital part of the digestive process, but are you eating enough? Dietitian/nutritionist Vanessa Jones shows how, by making small changes in what you eat, you can easily go from a low-fibre diet to one that is high in fibre. Your mother describes it as ‘roughage’, the kids call it ‘those yucky grainy […]

Insoluble fibre This type of fibre tends to be better known as it is more visible and often adds texture to our food. Insoluble forms of fibre include cellulose (present in all edible food plants), hemicelluloses (found especially in cereal bran) and lignin (found mainly in cereals and woody vegetables). Best sources include cereal bran […]

If you’re ravenous, reduce the risk of making bad food choices by keeping healthy, tasty snacks on hand. Eating wholefoods little and often is the key to keeping energy levels up through the day. The alternative is the all-too-familiar boom-bust-boom effect of eating sugary, processed foods, and then having blood sugar levels slump shortly afterwards, […]

Why women get drunk faster than men According to a new study in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, ADH, an enzyme that helps digest alcohol is less active in women, making them more prone to the effects of wine and spirits. But if you enjoy a beer, this is less of a problem, […]

According to scientists at the University of Sydney, wearing woollen sweaters may make you feel cosy, but, compared with cotton clothing, they may trap allergens and trigger allergy symptoms. In fact, you run the risk of exposing yourself to dust mites and cat allergens by at least 10 times! So, if you can’t shake a […]

Migraines? Skip the sleep-in! If you are a migraine sufferer, sleeping late on weekend mornings might not be such a good idea. According to UK research, the sudden change in sleeping habits can cause a splitting migraine. And, if it also means you are late for your morning ‘fix’ of caffeine, or that you miss […]

If you’ve inherited a sweet tooth or a tendency to put on weight, you can beat your genes by changing your eating habits and lifestyle. By Helen Hawkes. Your mother was pear shaped and so are you. She loved fatty foods and sweets and hated exercise – and so do you. Not surprisingly, she was […]

There’s plenty of evidence to show our immune systems may be compromised by lack of nutrients and stress. However, the good news is that many tasty and inexpensive foods are highly protective. Add them to your diet today! Onions and garlic These help boost natural immunity and aid circulation. Red onions are a particularly good […]

A surprise finding from a recent English study is that drinking between one to six cups of black tea daily improves bone density. Although tea contains caffeine, thought to steal bone, it also has compounds that may mimic the bone-building effect of oestrogen in post-menopausal women.

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