January -Try Something New #LearnuaryNI Challenge
This January, eating healthier just got a whole lot easier! Join the #LearnuaryNI Challenge and discover a new top tip to help you eat better and feel great every day this month. January is typically a month associated with New Year Resolutions, with the general consensus being: “I’m going to eat better”. A fantastic idea, but one which can be hard to maintain or even know where to start. So this #LearnuaryNI, to make your mission of eating healthier a little easier, we’ve shared our daily tips to get January off to the perfect start. Trying out each of these will increase your knowledge of healthy eating, helping you see the benefits of what you are doing. Your #LearnuaryNI quest to learn one new thing each day throughout the month of January 2018 can take many forms. Learning is proven to boost your health and wellbeing and is one of five key steps recommended by mental health charities and no-one would doubt that taking care of your diet, fitness, medical issues and self-care are critical considerations for everyone. So without further ado, here are our #LearnuaryNI challenges, one bitesize health and nutrition tip a day: Plan your shopping list for the week in advance and stick to it Don’t shop hungry Drink ½ your weight in water ie 150lb person = 2.2 litres Use online shopping to reduce temptation Make your plate of food colourful Enjoy 3 portions of fruit each day Eat 6-7 vegetables/salad each day Chew and eat slowly Avoid low fat products Avoid low sugar products Don’t neglect exercise – Healthy eating = 80% and exercise = 20% Eat out as little as possible – Enjoy other social outings: crazy golf, ice skating, tenpin bowling… Cook from scratch Dance and workout to music while cooking Ensure you have working utensils like peelers, sharp knives, colander, scales… Make vegetables appealing with spices and herbs Keep trigger foods out of your cupboards Sleep is major – if insufficient your ghrelin hormone increases hunger Avoid filling up on bread Bored of boiling veg – roast it instead – add garlic/salt and enjoy Sit at the table at each meal and smell, look, be aware and enjoy what you are eating Don’t eat if not hungry – it may be dehydration or even boredom! Use vanilla extract, cinnamon, mint, lemon, lime for flavourings Dark chocolate x 2 squares a day is a tasty and nutritious treat Avoid eating the leftovers – freeze instead or save for lunch the next day Don’t pick at the kids’ foods Alcohol = liquid calories – keep to a safe minimum If eating out stick to sharing starters and desserts and enjoy a healthy main Have a large glass of water 15 minutes before eating Be careful if taking supplements – do you know how good the ingredients are? Use a weighing scales once per week, weighing yourself at the same time of the day, to watch your weight Trying out these steps this January is the foundation of adopting a healthier lifestyle and promoting self care. If you are unsure of how to change your eating habits, or need help optimising the foods you eat please do contact us. We would love to help you or your family and friends with any nutrition related queries big or small. In the meantime do please check out our 121Dietitian Shop If you have enjoyed this blog we would love you to share this with your family and friends on your social media channels. Why not visit our YouTube Channel for more on keeping your health optimal. How can a Dietitian help Book a consultation via our Online Portal About Gillian Killiner Check out our tailored dietary programmes Gillian x [instagram-feed] Information checked & correct on 16th May 2018.
Vitamin D deficiency: Should we use supplements?
For years, it has been widely accepted by scientists that vitamin D deficiency is a longstanding health problem, with implications on health and wellbeing. While there are a wealth of reasons for vitamin D deficiently, inadequate skin synthesis due to restricted sunlight, limited food fortification and lack of vitamin D from natural food sources are confirmed contributing factors. Here, we discuss how certain health conditions can further enhance the risk of vitamin D deficiency and ways to increase its consumption. The levels of vitamin D deficiency In the UK, currently, Reference Nutrient Intakes (RNI) for vitamin D are only set for children aged 1.5-3 and adults over 65 years of age. Using the average intakes for each of these age groups, data from the latest UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) revealed that intakes of vitamin D from food sources are just 27% of the RNI for children and 33% for adults, showing significantly low vitamin D levels from food sources. When it comes to assessing blood biomarkers in relation to vitamin D levels, plasma vitamin D levels of <25 nmol/L are used to identify a deficiency. Using this as an indicator, it was revealed that on average, 19.7% of boys and 24.4% of girls aged 4 to 10 had levels less than 25 nmol/L, while 24% of men and 21.7% of women aged 19 to 64 has plasma vitamin D levels below this. The survey also revealed that when averaged out across the year, 40% of young people and adults were deficient between the months of January and March. Health conditions which can increase the risk of vitamin D deficiency Malabsorption, coeliac disease, cystic fibrosis, short bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can all increase the risk of vitamin D deficiency. Amongst adults, an Irish study involving 81 patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) revealed that 63% were vitamin D deficient. Furthermore, a study of patients with coeliac disease in the US showed that 25% had vitamin D deficiency. Common signs of deficiency When it comes to symptoms of vitamin D deficiency, these tend to vary across the lifespan and with the level of deficiency. During adolescence, symptoms typical of severe deficiency include muscle cramps, pain in weight-bearing joints and problems walking, running or climbing stairs. In adults, a mild lack of vitamin D may present itself as general aches and pain, while more severe deficiency is associated with osteomalacia and post-menopausal increased fracture risk. Furthermore, suboptimal vitamin D levels are associated with an increased risk of severe infections and sepsis amongst those that re critically ill. Vitamin D supplements When it comes to supplementing vitamin D levels, we must first ascertain whether it is to maintain and prevent deficiency or to treat a diagnosed deficiency. In the care of maintaining levels, The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) proposed an adequate intake of 15 µg/day for adults. In the UK, while RNIs are not available, it has been suggested that 10 µg/day for those aged 11 to 65 is suitable. In the situation of vitamin D deficiency, such as in cases of patients with diagnosed bone diseases, it has been advised by the National Osteoporosis Society that levels are increased rapidly with doses of up to 7500 µg. So, for example, taking 20 µg/day capsules, five times a day for 10 weeks could be used to rapidly correct low levels, and following this, levels should be maintained. When it comes to which form of vitamin D supplementation to take, evidence suggests that vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is effective at raising levels. Here at 121 Dietitian we support all the evidence regarding Vitamin D deficiency and the importance of correcting low levels. However the safety of increasing levels and continued maintenance of these levels are of concern, and so we prefer to guide our patients with a safe combination of a whole food diet rich in Vitamin D foods and natural supplementation of key nutrients. Why? Many of the general population are correctly taking action and looking after their own health, and over the counter supplementation has been around for a long time, nothing new there. The issue is the toxic levels of Vitamin D supplementation that people are taking and the length of time they are taking them for with no monitoring. Hypervitaminosis D is a rare but potentially serious condition. It occurs when you take in too much vitamin D. It’s usually the result of taking high-dose vitamin D supplements without checking your status. Too much vitamin D can cause abnormally high levels of calcium in the blood. This can affect bones, tissues, and other organs. It can lead to high blood pressure, bone loss, and kidney damage without treatment. Vitamin D can also affect Vitamin A, Vitamin K and magnesium levels and if the ratio is not maintained then you may experience further unpleasant side effects. As of the past number of years GP’s in Northern Ireland are unable to routinely measure peoples Vitamin D levels. This for me as a health professional is disappointing and worrying as we are frequently seeing cases of severe deficiency and many with long term excessive use and negative consequences. Monitoring needs to happen. In summary, Vitamin D deficiency is common in the UK, particularly during the winter months and notably in vulnerable populations. While symptoms can be hard to spot, tiredness and general fatigue are common and may suggest your levels should be assessed by your GP or through a simple blood test where possible. Action should be taken based on these findings and current health status. If you are unsure of how to change your eating habits, or need help optimising the foods you eat please do contact us. We would love to help you or your family and friends with any nutrition related queries big or small. In the meantime do please check out our 121Dietitian Shop If you have enjoyed this blog we would love you to share this with your family and friends on your social
The role of nutrition on mental health
Recently, we have been witness to a rise in exposure of mental health, thanks to the media. Never has it been more prevalent, and so now is the perfect time to look at the research and focus on what can be done to improve our mental health. In particular, one of the most obvious, yet under acknowledged factors, is the role which nutrition plays on our mental health. Here, we take a look at which foods research has indicated plays a contributing role. It’s undeniable that in recent years, research has indicated a link between diet and mental health. In fact, this body of evidence is growing at a rapid rate, and yet, diet still often remains a last resort when it comes to addressing ways to help improve or prevent the onset of mental health issues. Most of the brain is actually derived directly from food. Changes in our diet in recent years mean that what we are eating on a daily basis is in fact much different in its nutritional content than that of our ancestors. Our heart, liver and stomach are organs, and so too is our brain. It is acutely sensitive to what we eat. To remain healthy, it needs different amounts of nutrients ranging from; essential fatty acids, amino acids, vitamins, minerals and water. If you are someone who has ever smoked, drank alcohol, tea or coffee, or eaten chocolate, you will know only too well that they can alter the state of your mood, the effect, depending on the substance, is thankfully often temporary! But what is less commonly known is that some foods can actually have a longer lasting influence on mood and mental well being, and this is the focus of the work successfully provided to all clients by 121 Dietitian. Research has shown that food plays an important role in the development, management and prevention of mental health problems, such as depression, schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and Alzheimer’s disease, but which foods in particular are they referring to? Research suggests the following: Dramatically decrease your consumption of sugar Top of the list is to decrease your consumption of sugar, and in particular fructose, grains, and processed foods. Not only are processed foods high in sugar and grains, they are also packed full of a variety of additives, which can affect your brain function and mental state, especially artificial sweeteners. Research has shown that a diet rich in processed foods is also linked to an increased risk of depression. Increase your intake of fish Several studies have indicated that low levels of fish consumption by country were linked to higher levels of depression among its citizens, and vice versa. Fish is rich in omega-3 fats, which are crucial for optimal brain function and mental health. Up your vitamin B intake Low levels of the B vitamins including vitamin B1, B2, B12 and folate have been linked to an increased risk for depression. Ensure your diet is rich in seafood, beef, chicken, pork, milk and eggs to increase your daily intake. Get more vitamin D The best way to up your vitamin D levels is through regular sun exposure. Vitamin D is essential for your mood. There’s a reason why people are happier when it’s sunny! One study found that people with the lowest levels of vitamin D were 11 times more prone to depression than those with normal levels. The best way to optimize your vitamin D levels, is through sunshine but in this country, it isn’t always easy. When it comes to foods rich in vitamin D, opt for salmon, tuna, sole, fortified cereals, eggs, ricotta, milk, pork and mushrooms. Remember, SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) is a type of depression that we know is related to sunshine deficiency, so it would make sense that the perfect way to optimize your vitamin D is through sun exposure. In summary, while research is still on-going to understand the role that nutrition plays in contributing to our mental health, early evidence already shows there is a clear link. The work at 121 Dietitian ensures all patients treated daily in clinic benefit from this and their results are testimony to this. What can you do to experience some positive changes? Start by reducing your intake of processed foods and refined sugar, consume foods rich in omega-3, and B vitamins, as well as soaking up those sunshine rays, and if you are not sure about how to do this fully come and see us happy people at 121 Dietitian. If you are unsure of how to change your eating habits, or need help optimising the foods you eat please do contact us. We would love to help you or your family and friends with any nutrition related queries big or small. In the meantime do please check out our 121Dietitian Shop If you have enjoyed this blog we would love you to share this with your family and friends on your social media channels. Why not visit our YouTube Channel for more on keeping your health optimal. How can a Dietitian help Book a consultation via our Online Portal About Gillian Killiner Check out our tailored dietary programmes Gillian x [instagram-feed] Information checked & correct on 16th May 2018.
Hashimoto’s And Me – Part 3…
Another six months on and I am delighted to let you all know that I have reversed my Hashimoto’s. I am more than delighted! My antibodies are below the 35 IU/mL, and it has been due to diet, supplements, exercise and lifestyle. My current lifestyle is still busy but I now try my best to keep on top of my workload and general daily pressure. I continued with my gluten-free diet, avoiding processed gluten-free products 99% of the time also. From an individual who naively followed the principles of a low fat diet in her twenties and scorned anyone who took supplements, always believing that your food gave you all the nutrients if you ate healthy, I have come a long way – unfortunately the hard way. And if you read my previous blogs you will know the changes I have made have been many. I now eat increased healthy fat choices and upped my vegetable intake further than I thought possible and I’m loving the changes. I see patients at my clinic daily who have chronic inflammation, PCOS, chronic fatigue syndrome, hypothyroidism, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure and IBS, who all benefit from my new and ever expanding nutritional and medical research and knowledge. My message to you all is not to suffer in silence. You may have been through many tests that show nothing is wrong but don’t give up. You need a full MOT to be able to get to the root cause. Therefore I urge you to seek advice. If you are unsure of how to change your eating habits, or need help optimising the foods you eat please do contact us. We would love to help you or your family and friends with any nutrition related queries big or small. In the meantime do please check out our 121Dietitian Shop If you have enjoyed this blog we would love you to share this with your family and friends on your social media channels. Why not visit our YouTube Channel for more on keeping your health optimal. How can a Dietitian help Book a consultation via our Online Portal About Gillian Killiner Check out our tailored dietary programmes Gillian x [instagram-feed] Information checked & correct on 16th May 2018.
Fuss-free fish fingers recipe
Fish Fingers – It’s a family classic and one which kids love! Sometimes it’s nice to get the ingredients together to make this family favourite from scratch. And it’s a lot easier than you might think. This recipe can be made with white fish of your choice. We suggest you try sustainable haddock for something different as it is packed full of essential vitamins – most notably B vitamins. A 90g portion contains 3.9 milligrams of niacin and 1.2 micrograms of vitamin B-12. Other B vitamins include B-6, thiamin, riboflavin, folate and pantothenic acid. The B vitamins are essential for food metabolism and the formation of red blood cells. Haddock also contains several minerals, including phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, iron, calcium, sodium, zinc, copper and manganese. The most abundant mineral in haddock is selenium, with a 90g portion of cooked haddock containing 34.4 micrograms or almost 50 percent of the recommended dietary intake. Selenium is reported to help prevent cancer, heart disease and diabetes. A lack of selenium has also been linked to a weakened immune system. What a great micro-nutrient rich fish! This can be served with your favourite side dish, but we’ve opted for smoky potato wedges, which can be substituted for sweet potatoes (see recipe below). Swap the breadcrumbs to gluten-free bread if you are avoiding gluten/wheat. Ingredients for fish fingers 1 egg, beaten 85g white breadcrumbs, made from day old bread Zest and juice from 1 lemon 1 tsp dried oregano 1 tbsp olive oil 400g skinless sustainable white fish, sliced into 12 strips 4 tbsp mayonnaise 140g frozen peas, cooked and cooled 100g young leaf spinach How to make fish fingers Heat oven to 200°C/ 180°C fan / gas 6. Pour the beaten egg into a shallow dish. Tip the breadcrumbs onto a plate. Mix the lemon zest into the breadcrumbs along with the oregano and some salt and pepper. Brush a non-stick baking sheet with half the oil. Dip the fish strips into the egg, then roll them in the breadcrumbs. Transfer to the baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes until golden. Meanwhile, mix the mayo with a squeeze of lemon juice. Toss the spinach leaves and peas with a squeeze more lemon juice and the remaining oil. Serve the fish fingers with the spinach and peas and a spoonful of the lemony mayo. Serve with a side: Why not try smoky potato wedges? These chunky chips can be cooked alongside the fish fingers. Method: Heat over to 200°C/180°C fan/gas 6. Cut 4 baking potatoes into wedges, then arrange a single layer on a baking sheet. Sprinkle over 1 tsp smoked paprika and 1 tbsp olive oil, season, then bake for 30 minutes. Need advice on healthy recipes for your family? Get in touch to find out how 121 Dietitian can help you. If you are unsure of how to change your eating habits, or need help optimising the foods you eat please do contact us. We would love to help you or your family and friends with any nutrition related queries big or small. In the meantime do please check out our 121Dietitian Shop If you have enjoyed this blog we would love you to share this with your family and friends on your social media channels. Why not visit our YouTube Channel for more on keeping your health optimal. How can a Dietitian help Book a consultation via our Online Portal About Gillian Killiner Check out our tailored dietary programmes Gillian x [instagram-feed] Information checked & correct on 16th May 2018.
Immune nutrition -9 tips to boost your immunity
With the autumn and winter months generally considered a time of coughs, sneezes, colds and flus, we take a look at what exactly is the immune system and what you can do at this time of year to fine tune it with immune nutrition tips. So what exactly is the immune system? Quite simply, it is a system which requires harmony and balance. Every part of the body functions better when protected from environmental, emotional and nutritional stress. As it is a complex system, research is ongoing but generally the advice to keep it in tip top shape, is to adopt an overall healthy living strategy. On the whole, your immune system does a remarkable job of defending you against disease-causing microorganisms. But sometimes it fails: a germ invades successfully and makes you sick. And in autumn and winter months, there is a greater risk of this happening. Why is immunity lower in winter? There are various reasons why our immunity is lower at this time of year. The temperature drops and so we turn up the heat and stay indoors. Bacteria thrive in our heated/enclosed environments, allowing more germs breading, so much easier to catch a cold or flu. With less sunlight our vitamin D stores drop too with it no longer being available for its protective effect. Our bodies also need an increase in vitamin C, so we need to stay topped up daily as Vitamin C is water soluble and is not stored in the body. However be careful if considering a Vitamin C supplement. Ascorbic acid is not as good as one may think due to its longer term negative effect on copper metabolism. Can I do anything to boost my immune system with Nutrition? Thankfully, yes! To keep a strong and balanced immune system to stay healthy and avoid infections this autumn and winter, follow these top tips: Give your immune system a real fighting chance this winter by being mindful of your intake of vitamins A, C, D and E, as well as minerals selenium and zinc and Omega 3s. The best way to do this is to eat whole foods, such as quality animal protein, whole grains, nuts and seeds and plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. The darker days and colder weather often comes with a desire to comfort eat but we recommend avoiding processed meats, fried foods, soft drinks and processed baked goods, as consuming too much of these can suppress the immune system and cause low-level inflammation. Getting more vitamin C in your diet is easier than you might think. Upping you intake of fresh fruit and vegetables is the most convenient way to do so, opting for good sources such as berries, citrus, kiwi, bell peppers, and dark green vegetables. Boost immunity by adding herbs and spices while cooking. Onions, garlic, ginger, black peppercorn, cayenne pepper, allspice, curry and turmeric are great! While hot drinks might be your preference, don’t neglect fresh water. Water helps in the production of lymph, which carries white blood cells and other immune system cells. So make sure you get your recommended 2 litres per day. By this we mean sleep! The body rejuvenates and strengthens when it’s sleeping so aim for 7 to 8 hours at night. Plus, you’ll also feel more revived the next day. Try to include as many of the golden hours of sleep 10pm-2am. Winter is the perfect season for porridge! There’s nothing quite like kick starting your day with a warm bowlful on a cold morning and it also helps boost your intake of starchy foods and fibre. Plus, with porridge helping you feel fuller for longer, it will curb your temptation to snack on unhealthy foods. You’ll get extra bonus points if you top with fresh fruit or nuts. If you like it sweet, swap the sugar for cinnamon. Keep an eye on the blog over the next few weeks as we’ll be sharing lots of immune boosting recipes. Not only will you improve your fitness, exercise boosts immunity and improves sleep quality. As little as a 30 minute brisk walk each day has positive effects. Vitamin D stores drop in winter so catching some rays when you can is essential. Vitamin D strengthens our immune system so getting outside when you can is important. For dietary intake, boost immunity with fatty fish and if deficient you are recommended to take a daily Vitamin D3 supplement. As chronic stress and depression can weaken the immune system, which in turn makes our bodies more vulnerable to illness, it’s important to take part in activities which lower your stress levels, so make sure you have some fun this winter! There are, as always, many more nutritional additions or changes that may help you. These are only a snapshot. If you are unsure of how to change your eating habits, or need help optimising the foods you eat please do contact us. We would love to help you or your family and friends with any nutrition related queries big or small. In the meantime do please check out our 121Dietitian Shop If you have enjoyed this blog we would love you to share this with your family and friends on your social media channels. Why not visit our YouTube Channel for more on keeping your health optimal. How can a Dietitian help Book a consultation via our Online Portal About Gillian Killiner Check out our tailored dietary programmes Gillian x [instagram-feed] Information checked & correct on 16th May 2018, December 2022.
