{5 minutes with…} A Clinical Nutritionist

Posted in Locally found by centralwestnest

Recently I was lucky enough to spend some time with Rachel Murray of Total Nutrition. Rachel is based in Bathurst and offers a service that I personally believe more people should be utilising.

So, I asked Rachel some questions:

What does a clinical nutritionist do?

I works with clients with various health conditions and health goals and use nutritional principles to assist them on their individual health journey. I have been practicing in Bathurst for just over a year.

What do you like most about your job?

I am really passionate about nutrition and love being able to share this with my clients. I also really enjoy being able to empower individuals to make their own choices regarding food, while listening to their own bodies

So, why should people see a clinical nutritionist?

Individuals may choose to see a clinical nutritionist for a number of reasons. Some clients come to me for guidance on what foods to eat, recipe ideas and food allergy/intolerance substitutes, while other see me for specific health conditions from IBS to hypertension to weight loss. And many other conditions in between. At the end of the day, the foods we consume can have an extensive impact on many facets of our health.

What is one tip you could give people for improving their health?

I really believe that reducing processed foods and preparing foods in advance help with overall health (Sorry that’s two tips!)

Why is good gut health so important?

Gut health is a highly researched topic in natural medicine and the findings are continually linking gut health to a range of health conditions from mental health to reproductive health, immunology, dermatology and many more. In fact, a large portion of the body’s immune system is location within the GI tract and hence, there is no surprise that by optimising digestive health, simultaneously we are facilitating our body’s ability to fight off disease.

What’s a simple way to get started with good gut health?

* Firstly reducing processed foods and foods high in refined sugars.

* Consuming natural probiotics such as those found in plain yoghurt and fermented foods

* Consuming prebiotic containing foods such as garlic, onion, carrots, tomato, chia seeds, flax seeds etc.

What are some tips for the best diet for little ones to keep them healthy throughout winter

Vitamin C: A lot of people have heard about the importance of Vitamin C when it comes to the immune system. Vitamin C can help to reduce the severity and duration of colds, and help to reduce the severity of upper respiratory tract infections. Foods to include: Oranges, broccoli, strawberries, red capsicum.

Zinc: Zinc is an essential mineral that has immune boosting properties and something to consider to help get through the winter months. Foods to include: meat, fish, poultry, legumes and dairy

Gut health: As mentioned above, gut health has been linked with the immune system

Is a nutritionist the best person to see if you are diagnosed with pre-diabetes or diabetes?

Clinical Nutritionists can assist individuals with diabetes by educating them on stabilising blood sugar levels through nutritional intake. This would be done alongside the individuals GP and the medications that may be prescribed.

Do you recommend taking multivitamins?

Yes and No… I always say that supplements such as multivitamins should supplement a healthy lifestyle and nutritious intake of foods and not be used to replace nutritious foods. There are also situations where individuals may need additional nutritional support through supplementation such as high stress environments, athletes, health conditions.

Please note: As everyone is different, nutritional needs will vary from person to person. What works for one person may not work for the next. You should speak to Rachel directly for a one-on-one program designed for your personal circumstances.

You can contact Rachel at Total Nutrition:

VISIT: 125 William Street, Bathurst

PHONE: 02 6331 3535

FACEBOOK: @tnrmbathurst

WEBSITE: www.totalnutritionbyrachelmurray.com.au

24Jun2014

{Raising Little People} The top 10 things to boost your little birdie’s immunity this winter

Posted in The nest eats, The nest health, This is life by centralwestnest

I have a bit of crush on Dr Joanna. She is smart, clever and informative. Plus, you can always understand what she is saying because she speaks in everyday language.

In another brilliant article for Essential Kids she discusses things you can do to improve your little birdies’ immunity over the cooler winter months. You can find it here -> Top 10 Immunity Boosters for Kids

Happy reading Nesters!

29May2014

{This is Life} Could junk food choices lead to preterm labour?

Posted in Raising Little People, The nest health, This is life by centralwestnest

Recent studies have shown that certain foods in a pregnant woman’s diet could lead to preterm labour. Women who consume a large amounts of fat, sugar and take-away foods have been shown, to increase the risk of a baby arriving early. This also includes the diet prior to conception.

You can read the full article here -> Essential Baby

It is definitely an interesting idea, but like anything with pregnancy studies it should be taken with a proverbial grain of salt, as I imagine there are plenty of women who eat very healthily that still experience preterm labour.

Happy pregnancy Nesters!

20Feb2014

{The Nest Health} Detox – yes, no, maybe?

Posted in The nest health by centralwestnest

Everyone has heard of them. They are always in the media. The celebrities are always doing it. Achieving amazing and miraculous results.

Today our fabulous resident health expert, Riss from Larissa Beer Personal Training talks Detox diets and whether they actually work.

Image source: Yoga by the beach

So you survived the Christmas and New Year period and you know that you have eaten all the foods you normally wouldn’t and shouldn’t eat.

As a result you’re probably feeling sluggish and bloated. It can be easy to say to yourself: ‘Hey self, you feel crap why not go on a detox diet to flush out all the stuff that is sitting inside my stomach, surely I will feel refreshed and brand new, and ready to start the new year right??!!’

Detox diets claim to get rid of the toxins in our bodies from poor food and drink choices, which as a result can cause weight loss. Unfortunately, you might not get the results you expect.

A detox diet or cleanse are touted as a way to remove toxins from the body, while specific detox diets vary it is typically a period of fasting, followed by a strict diet of raw fruit and vegetables, some fruit juices, and water. Some other detox diets may call for the use of herbs and other supplements to increase colon cleansing to empty the intestines.

Here’s the truth…Detox diets are popular, but they’re not scientifically proven. They are a fad just like many other weight loss gimmicks on the market. While some people have reported feeling more focused and energetic during and after detox diets, there’s little evidence that detox diets actually remove toxins from the body. Indeed, the kidneys and liver effectively filter and eliminate most ingested toxins. The benefits from a detox diet may actually come from avoiding highly processed foods that have solid fats and added sugar.

If you are considering trying a detox diet speak to your medical professional first as there can be side affects. Some detoxes can severely limit protein intake or require fasting which can result in fatigue. I cannot also stress enough to make sure you don’t detox for too long as this can result in vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Dehydration can also be a concern.

Finally, keep in mind that fad diets aren’t a good long-term solution. For lasting results, your best bet is to eat a healthy diet based on fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean sources of protein, and combine that with regular exercise.

As always, I am here to answer any fitness related questions you have, so please email me at centralwestnest@outlook.com and I will respond as soon as possible!

Happy health Nesters!