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The lowdown. In a nutshell, the ketogenic diet focuses on the minimal consumption of carbohydrates, moderate protein consumption and high fat consumption. Following this dietary protocol, fat is the predominant energy source. When carbohydrates are reduced to a certain level, the body transitions into a metabolic state called ‘ketosis’ as a result of the breakdown […]
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Stuck for implements in the kitchen? None of your fruit is ripe? Went overboard with the salt? This is the post for you. Read on for some handy kitchen hacks. If you don’t have… a/an… Then use a… Garlic crusher Knife to finely dice Grater Peeler or knife to chop/dice finely Frying Pan Large saucepan […]
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Iron is the next edition in ‘The Foundation Series’. It plays an integral part in our daily functioning, particularly for females, and can be found in a variety of food products. Read on for more on all things iron. What is iron? Iron is chemical element identified by the symbol ‘Fe’. It is an essential […]
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Snacking as a concept, isn’t bad. For some it’s utterly important to snack or have smaller meals and for others, three meals a day is plenty. Regardless of whether you snack every day or once in a blue moon, this post should resonate some what. When it comes to snacking, too often it does more […]
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It is the start of new year. Everyone is going back to work, back to school etc…things are becoming busier again. We want to avoid the toxic build up of stress, before it gets too much. Stress affects us systemically; it can be acute or chronic. It can lead to a host of physiological changes […]
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I’ve touched on the nutritional benefits of quinoa before and this week it was a feature in the first ever edition of the Optima Health quiz on Instagram. Hence, I thought it timely to post a salad featuring this most brilliant grain. This is my broccoli and quinoa salad. Its nutty, its fruity, its plain […]
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Eggs are literally natures multivitamin – they are nutritional powerhouses! They are perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacking and can be eaten on the go – making them a very handy addition to a healthy diet. Eggs contain 11 vitamins and minerals, omega 3 fatty acids, antioxidants, are a quality protein and provide a […]
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In the first part of ‘The Foundation Series’ vitamin and mineral edition, we focussed on magnesium – my all time favourite mineral! Now, it is my great pleasure to introduce you to Vitamin A, another amazing vitamin required in adequate amounts for optimal health and wellbeing. Okay, so there are two parts to this story. […]
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The ‘Silly Season’ is in full swing – Christmas parties, summer barbecues, sporting wind-ups, school functions – it’s never ending! Often, in these circumstances, the temptation of food and drink (of the alcoholic variety) is running on high. Eating, drinking and just being merry is an incredibly important facet of the festive season. At this […]
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I love pumpkin. Its orange, its so incredibly versatile, and it tastes amazing. It’s also full of so many health benefits – such as its high in fibre, zinc, sulfur, vitamin A, phytosterols, protein and tryptophan. Being rich in these nutrients means that pumpkin gives us better immunity, better digestion, clearer skin, reduced cholesterol, stronger […]