Matt Tallis

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High-Protein Diet

This diet provides more energy for your body as well as affecting weight loss. The proteins enable the growth of bones in the body. The proteins kill the carbohydrates thus reducing the body’s fluid content. You can lose a great deal of weight in a period of time. A high protein diet plan cuts out many carbohydrates from your diet, prompting the body to dispense with excess body fluids. Ketone is produced and released into the blood. This brings about a process ketosis whereby your appetite diminishes. Pros Cons You can quickly lose weight due to the stimulation of loss of fluids from the body Easy to distinguish...

Heart Smart Diet

Heart disease is rapidly becoming the largest major health problem throughout the UK & Ireland , as people are generally avoiding advice on maintaining a healthy heart and not putting in the required effort. This healthy heart plan is low in saturated fat, sodium, and cholesterol and includes a large amount of high-fibre wholegrains, low fat dairy produce, lean protein sources, and healthy fruit and vegetables. Heart Smart is a great way to look after your heart and general health. Pros Cons Lower cholesterol levels Improve your heart’s health Improve overall health Weight loss Browse Heart...

Hay Diet

The Hay diet separates the eating of carbohydrates and proteins at the same meal. This is due to the body not being able to digest them properly at the same time, which can lead to weight gain. Like the Atkins diet, it cuts down your calorie intake and is a very popular diet plan. However, there has been no scientific evidence that mixing carbohydrates and proteins can lead to weight gain, so consult with your GP before starting the plan. The basic rule of this diet is not to mix certain types of food with others. Starches and sugar should never be eaten with protein and acidic fruits. Salads, fruits and vegetables are a major part of the...

Gluten-Free Diet

Sufferers of Coeliac disease or gluten intolerance are recommended to follow this Gluten-free plan. It will help you follow a healthy and varied diet while cutting out all sources of gluten from your diet. The foods contained are naturally free from gluten and will help you to avoid the symptoms associated with both Coeliac disease and gluten intolerance. A recipe-based or combination plan is recommended for a greater variety of meals. Such a diet is essential for those who suffer from coeliac disease or those who have dermatitis herpetiformis (a gluten triggered skin sensitivity). Many gluten free foods like pasta, bread, bread...

GI Diet

The GI plan is beneficial for anyone wishing to lose weight without having the urge to eat. Using the Glycaemic Index (GI) as a guide, this diet plan will take healthy fats, good carbs, and lean proteins together, and offer you a way to help cut out food cravings, lose weight and improve your health - while eating satisfying foods. Pros Cons Weight loss without feeling hungry Lower the risk of diabetes and heart disease Follow a healthy and satisfying diet Stabilise blood sugars and cut out cravings Difficult to follow (hard to identify the GI value of a meal) High fat / salt content in some foods...

Lactose Intolerant Diet

Lactose intolerance means an individual is unable to absorb lactose into his/her digestive system. Lactose is a major sugar in milk, commonly found in a variety of dairy products. Should lactose be improperly absorbed then it ferments, causing stomach pain, diarrhoea and bloating. What is the cause of lactose intolerance? Lactose is a disaccharide, comprised of two intertwined sugars. For the body to absorb lactose, the disaccharide has to be split into the two lesser sugars. The split is done by lactase, an enzyme, present in the small intestinal lining. Should the levels of lactase enzyme be absent or low, the splitting does not...

Diet and Menopause

There are various treatments for menopause treatments touted around. There are lots of creams which are presented as cures for menopausal symptoms. However, there are easier ways of dealing with such symptoms. Adherence to a healthy, balanced diet goes far in minimising menopausal symptoms. Should you be able to maintain a balanced diet, it will help manage your menopause. It is vital to have foods from all food groups: including proteins, grains, fats, carbohydrates, dairy products and plenty of fruit and veg. Make sure you do not over do the proteins, fats and protein groups. To keep yourself filling full and healthy, have three...

What is Weaning?

Weaning is the introduction of solids to your baby alongside milk feeds. Many babies are initially introduced to pureed, mashed or minced foods which needs chewing. You can carry on breast or bottle-feeding your baby after they have started on solids given that it’s okay for you and baby, and you have cleared the situation with your GP.

Is My Baby Ready for Weaning?

There’s no need to rush the weaning process due to pressure from friends or family. It is best to follow your baby’s signals, e.g. Dissatisfaction after a milk feed Wanting more milk feeds as well as greater quantities of milk Slow weight gain After having slept through the night, the baby starts to wake up hungry You may also notice your baby showing interest in your food and attempting to put things in his/her mouth. If you are unsure or concerned about when your baby is ready to begin weaning, talk to your healthcare professional. ...

Foods You Should Not Feed Your Baby

There are certain foods you ought not to give your baby for the initial 6-8 months, because they have a reputation of upsetting babies or triggering an allergic reaction. Such foods include: Seeds and nuts (can also cause choking) Citrus or exotic fruits Cow's milk Eggs as well as egg products like custard Foods with gluten in them Unpasteurised and soft cheeses Shellfish Honey

Difficulties Weaning

Meal times ought to be relaxing. However, a major problem is early weaning of your baby. Have the breast or bottle at the ready for when your baby will not eat the solid food you are offering him or her. Be prepared for your child’s diet likes and dislikes to change frequently. On occasions, your baby may not want to eat and refuses food. Often this happens when your baby is offered new food. Try not to place pressure on your baby to eat as that will result in baby unpleasant associations with food as well as mealtimes. This will take a lot of time and effort to turn round. In case of any difficulty, try to feed baby solids on...

Commencing Weaning

There is no set way to start weaning. Let your baby have his/her initial taste of solids when you consider the baby to be ready. Such tastes are a learning experience and ought not to replace any milk feeds. Select a convenient time, when you are relaxed. Try feeding baby a couple of teaspoonfuls of food after a bit of milk or after its breast or bottle feed. Babies do not always take to solids straight away. So should your baby not know what to do with the solids, it is likely to come back out. Initially, the baby may not know how to swallow its food. However, after a little while, the food will slide right down his or her...

What Shall I Do Next?

It is possible to increase the amount your baby eats once he or she is accustomed to different tastes of foods. You can also introduce the solids earlier in the feed. Ensure that your baby has a drink whilst eating and after eating. Your baby can have milk (formula or breast), boiled and cooled water or diluted fruit juice. If your baby will take a baby cup which has a big spout and easy-to-hold handles, that would be the ideal container for the drink. Over time, your baby's demand for milk will probably reduce and you can breast or bottle-feed your baby less frequently. At 6-9 months, your baby is likely to want to feed himself or...

When Should I Begin Weaning?

The Department of Health states that parents ought to commence the weaning process at about six months. In previous months, your baby gets the energy and nutrition it needs from breast or formula milk. At around six months old, babies cannot get all the necessary calories, iron and nutrients just from milk. At this time, the baby begins to develop the ability to use its tongue to transfer food from the front of the mouth to the back. Babies also start to teeth around now, hold their heads up and sit up without support. All these factors make eating and digestion easier. Should your baby have been born prematurely, it is advisable to...

Calcium Deficiency

The National Diet and Nutritional Survey of Young People aged 4-18 years highlighted that 25% of teenagers had calcium intake below recommended levels. This has some serious implications for the future, in regard to bone health. Osteoporosis is a bone disease that renders bones brittle and easily breakable. Bones grow until we get to 30. Teenage years are the most important with regard to development. Calcium, Vitamin D and phosphorous are crucial for proper bone growth. Teenagers require 800mg to 1,000mg of calcium per day. Foods high in calcium ought to be eaten daily. The best source of calcium is milk and other dairy...

Foods for Teenagers

Teenagers grow rapidly. Their main dietary necessity is energy which is evident in their appetite. Whatever they eat should also be healthy. However, this is often not the case as many teenagers eat a lot of sugar and fat, with consumption of fibre and starchy carbohydrates being low. In the short term, there is little harm caused. However, this would become a problem should this kind of diet carry on into adulthood. It is vital to encourage teenagers to select from a wide range of food groups: Starchy carbohydrates like rice, bread, breakfast cereals, pasta, couscous, chapattis and potatoes. Lots of fruit and vegetables –...

Iron Deficiency

Iron deficiency is very common in the UK , especially amongst youngsters; over 10% of teenagers have low levels of iron. Quick growth, a fast lifestyle as well as poor dietary choices, can cause iron deficiency or anaemia. Teenage girls in particular need to pay specific attention to iron as their iron stores are depleted every month due to menstruation. Iron is found in red meat. There are many non-meat sources as well, like fortified breakfast cereals, bread, dried fruit and green leafy vegetables. The absorption of iron is not as easy from non-meat sources. Yet it is possible to enhance iron absorption by combining non-meat sources...

Nutritional Concerns

The National Diet and Nutritional Survey of Young People aged 4-18 years gave a great deal of information on the intake and physical activity levels of youngsters in the UK. In a seven day recording period, over 50 per cent of young people interviewed had not eaten any leafy green vegetables (such as cabbage), broccoli, citrus fruits, eggs or tomatoes.

Life After Weight Loss Surgery

If you undergo weight loss surgery, you are normally allowed to leave hospital one to three days later, but each case depends on the individual. Generally, you will be able to resume normal activities within four to six weeks after the operation, but your life after weight loss surgery will need to see a number of changes incorporated. If you needed weight loss surgery, it is likely you had a history of poor lifestyle habits; eating unhealthy foods, overeating, not exercising etc. It is important to follow a healthy lifestyle after your surgery to avoid ending up in this situation again. Diet after weight loss surgery Your surgeon or...
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