Catherine Saxelby's Foodwatch | Expert answers to your nutrition questions

Expert answers to your nutrition questions

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There's no better qualified person to answer your questions on food, diets, supplements and healthy meals than nutritionist Catherine Saxelby. Having researched material for 10 books and three versions of this website, it's fair to say she has her finger on the pulse of the questions. Add to this her years as a recipe tester, radio show guest, home cook and Mum and  ...  you get the picture.

Catherine says:

"Here are my most practical answers to the most asked questions I get as a nutritionist. Please note that due to the volume of emails and letters I receive, I can't answer individual questions. But if you read the ones here, you'll be able to get good guidance on your own problem. And feel free to post a comment at the end if you have food ideas. It will all help others."

Special diets for medical problems

Q. Should I be following a special diet now that I have had my gall bladder out?
Q. Is cornflour suitable for me as I’m on a gluten-free diet?
Q. As my family has a history of bowel cancer, should I be eating more fibre?
Q. How can I keep food down with a hiatus hernia?

Q. I have diabetes - why is it OK for me now to have sugar?
Q. How can I get enough calcium without dairy?
Q. Which foods should someone with coeliac disease avoid?
Q. I have decided to become vegetarian. What should I watch for so I don't miss out on nutrients?
Q. Are fish oil capsules safe if I'm allergic to fish? If not, how do I get omega-3s?

Feeding kids

Q. Do canned baby foods retain their vitamins?
Q. Does salt or sugar damage a baby's liver?
Q. What are some high fibre foods that are appealing to small children?
Q. Should children drink low-fat or full-fat milk?
Q. My child won't eat breakfast. What do I do?
Q. Are energy drinks safe for kids to drink?
Q. Why do kids refuse to eat vegies?
Q. Our kids have so many activities after school it’s hard for us all to eat together. Does this matter?
Q. What do the “May contain traces” statements mean on food and can my allergic child have them?
Q. Why do my kids love fast food?
Q. How do I get my kids to eat vegetables?
Q. Goat's milk, soy milk or cow's milk - how do they compare nutritionally?

Nutrients you need

Q. I’ve seen DHA listed on food labels. What is it and where do I find it?
Q. I’ve seen eggs for sale with lutein added. Do I need lutein and are eggs the best way to get it?
Q. To avoid mercury, which are the best types of fish to buy?
Q. Why do we need vitamin K for healthy blood?
Q. I know vitamin D is made by the sun but what does it do as a vitamin? What foods will I find it in?
Q. What does potassium do in the body?
Q. I’ve heard about selenium but don‘t know much about it. What does it do in the body?
Q. What’s magnesium and where do you get it?
Q. I've heard iodine is so important they're adding it to bread. Why?
Q. What do I need vitamin B12 for and where do I find it?
Q. What is chromium and why do we need it?

Fats and oils

Q. What’s the difference between fish oil and cod liver oil?
Q. How much cholesterol do eggs contain? And how many can I eat?
Q. Is margarine high in trans fat?
Q. How can a product be labelled “cholesterol free” if it’s high in fat?
Q. I’m confused. I know what polyunsaturated means on a label, but what’s mono-unsaturated?
Q. If I stick to vegetable oils will I avoid saturated fats?

Healthy weight loss

Q. Should I cut out carbs after 6pm?
Q. Special K: is it the best cereal for weight loss?
Q. What’s your opinion of chitosan for fat loss?
Q. Can you suggest some easy, healthy snacks?
Q. Is high fructose corn syrup worse than sugar?
Q. Are light foods a smart choice if I'm on a weight loss diet?
Q. We don’t buy much sugar these days, so where is all the sugar coming from?

Keeping food safe

Q. Is it true that the acidophilus in yoghurt is so unstable that it can be destroyed on the short unrefrigerated trip home from the supermarket?
Q. I love making fresh fruit smoothies and was wondering if vitamins degenerate if the smoothie is stored in the fridge for a few days?
Q. How come many of the cans in my cupboard have no use-by dates on them?
Q. Could you explain how green long-life bags work?
Q. Which is correct? To put hot food in the fridge or to leave it cooling on the bench?

Additives and food labels

Q. What's the difference between a Use-by and Best-before date on food?
Q. What does EMULSIFIER mean on the label?
Q. Why do food companies have to use additives? And how many are there?
Q. What does the term MILK SOLIDS mean as an ingredient on a food label?
Q. What level of sodium should I look for on a food label?
Q. What do 'no preservatives, no artificial colours and no artificial flavours' really mean?

Eating to boost energy

Q. What’s the difference between green and black tea? What about caffeine?
Q. How much caffeine is too much?

Drinks/beverages

Q. What's the difference between Diet Coke and Coke Zero?
Q. Soda water and mineral water: what's the difference?
Q. How does eating a fresh fruit, such as an orange, compare to drinking the juice after squeezing by hand?
Q. Are there any hangover cures that actually work?

 

 

Comments (1)

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Well, I have encountered those questions when my boys were still young. I feel very sad if I don’t give them the foods that are right for them. It took me a lot of time finding help on their diet. But I did found those answers online. I really appreciate it when some people use the net to help others concerning their health. When my boys were in their teen stage I had a very hard time controlling them on their diet. And I sent them to a teen boarding school before they suffer weight problems. In my point, it was very effective, at least they get to control their consumption based on their daily diet.
mj , November 02, 2011

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