By Judy Davie There are numerous additives used to preserve products, maintain consistency, thicken sauces etc. Many are harmless, but those to be weary of are preservatives, flavouring and colouring. Although manufacturers must use these products minimally, many are known to trigger behavioural disturbances, skin allergies, asthma and migraine headaches in children and sensitive individuals. […]

By Judy Davie **”My husband wants to lose about 10kg over the next six months. He says he’s going to exercise every day and cut out carbohydrates completely. Is this safe?” — Sophie** If your husband was able to stick to a carb-free diet and exercise every day for six months, he would lose weight […]

By Judy Davie **”I do split shifts and find it hard to eat and exercise properly. I work from 3.30am to 9am, then from 3pm to 7.30pm. Is there any food I can eat to stop fatigue and keep my energy levels up?” — Kerrie** Goodness, you really have been presented with a challenge. I […]

By Judy Davie **”I recently stopped drinking cow’s milk because it made me feel nauseous and soon after I drank it (either in coffee or tea) or ate food with milk or cream in it I would throw up. I switched to soy milk and then consulted my doctor, who sent me for tests. The […]

By Judy Davie **”I eat a lot of fruit every day as part of my weight-loss program (I eat about five serves/pieces a day). Am I getting too much natural sugar? Will eating lots of fruit help with weight loss?” — Kate** I don’t know anyone who has got fat from eating fruit and if […]

By Judy Davie **”My stepson has been told by his doctor he is underweight. What can we do to help him put on weight? Are there particular foods that will put ‘meat on his bones’?” — Sharon** Some overly lean people have a very efficient, speedy metabolism and simply can’t gain weight — even when […]

By Judy Davie **”How can I make a normal curry that’s low in fat and kilojoules?” — Jaclyn** The ingredients which bump up the fat content in most curries are ghee (a clarified butter used in Indian cooking), coconut cream or milk, nuts, cream and certain cuts of fattier meat. It’s certainly harder to guarantee […]

A survival guide to eating out … without pigging out! By Judy Davie **”I stick to my diet really well at home but my husband and I often go out to dinner with friends. When we do, my diet goes out the window. Can you help?” — Ann** Without fail, people trying to improve their […]

By Judy Davie **”I was wondering what an average calorie/kilojoule intake should be for me and my partner who are looking at losing weight and are both 26.” — Natalie** Without your current weight it’s impossible to tell you off the top of my head. If you are both quite large, with a lot of […]

By Judy Davie **”Can you please help? I seem to be a yoyo when it comes to losing weight. I lose it, then go back to my original weight and get all depressed about it. Each time I think, ‘This is it and I’ll never put it back on,’ but I always do. Any ideas?” […]