Food as Medicine

GENERAL HEALTHY EATING

Eating well is the foundation of living a happy and healthy life, both now and in the long-term. The foods we eat, and the nutrients they provide, are the most important factors influencing our growth, development, functional abilities, and health. Healthy eating has become complicated with so much misinformation. Every person is unique in their energy and nutrient requirements and there is no one size fits all approach when it comes to eating well. Let us help you learn how to make eating well simple whilst maintaining a healthy and balanced approach to food. To find out more information or to make an appointment with our Eatsense dietitians contact us now.

WEIGHT MANAGEMENT

There is no one size fits all approach when it comes to eating well and managing weight, and unfortunately there is no magic solution. When it comes to achieving and maintaining your most comfortable weight, there are numerous factors that come
into play such as your stress levels, genetics, medical history, medications,, sleep, physical activity, dieting history, mood and dietary intake. 95% of people who lose weight through dieting will regain it within one year. Our dietitians can help you say goodbye to restrictive diets and make long-term lifestyle changes you will be able to maintain for life. We understand that for some, weight management can be a lifelong battle and weight concerns can be overwhelming, our dietitians can help by providing nutrition guidance and support. To find out more information or to make an appointment with our Eatsense dietitians contact us now.

INSULIN RESISTANCE

If you have insulin resistance, your body does not respond properly to a hormone called insulin which is produced by the pancreas. When we eat foods containing carbohydrate they are broken down to sugar (glucose) in the blood. The function of insulin is to move glucose from the blood into the cells to be used for energy or stored as fat. Insulin resistance occurs when the body’s cells resist insulin, so the body has to produce higher amounts to keep the blood glucose levels normal. Symptoms of insulin resistance include low energy levels, increased sugar cravings, increased belly fat and difficulty losing weight, because when insulin levels are high, the body finds it more difficult to burn fat and easier to store.

A person with insulin resistance has a greater risk of developing Type II diabetes and heart disease. Making lifestyle changes such as reducing your intake of processed foods, choosing low-GI carbohydrates and including daily exercise are all important. To find out more information or to make an appointment with our Eatsense dietitians contact us now.

DIABETES

Our dietitians can assist with the management of prediabetes, gestational diabetes, Type I diabetes and Type II diabetes. Having a good understanding of how the food you eat affects your diabetes is crucial to managing your condition well including your blood sugar levels, medication and associated side effects.

A healthy diet is an essential part of diabetes management as it can help to control blood glucose levels, prevent complications such as heart disease and help achieve a healthy weight. It is important that any dietary advice is tailored to your individual needs including your personal health and lifestyle influences. Choosing low glycaemic carbohydrates, limiting saturated fat, increasing poly and monounsaturated fats, increasing fibre rich foods and keeping active are essential. To find out more information or to make an appointment with our Eatsense dietitians contact us now.

CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) describes all diseases of the heart and blood vessels and is the leading cause of death in Australia. A healthy lifestyle plays an important role in preventing and managing CVD. Many of the risk factors associated with CVD can be prevented and managed including;

• High blood pressure
• High blood cholesterol
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Excessive alcohol consumption

Carrying excess weight, particularly around your mid-section Changing your overall dietary pattern to increase intake of fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts and fish, and decrease intake of meat, dairy and sweets, known as the mediterranean diet has been associated with a reduced risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Making some lifestyle changes is the best way to lower your risk of developing CVD and prevent it from becoming worse. In fact, it is never too early or too late to begin! To find out more information or to make an appointment with our Eatsense dietitians contact us now.

HIGH CHOLESTEROL

High levels of the wrong kinds of cholesterol in the blood may increase your risk of heart disease. A healthy diet can help to lower your risk of high cholesterol. Reducing your overall saturated fat intake, replacing saturated fats with poly and monounsaturated fats, including more fibre-rich foods, drinking less alcohol, reducing your intake of refined carbohydrates and sugar, and increasing your activity levels can help keep your cholesterol levels healthy. To find out more information or to make an appointment with our Eatsense dietitians contact us now.

PREGNANCY

Good nutrition throughout pregnancy is important both for the growing baby and itsmother. Pregnancy places greater nutritional demands on the body particularly for energy, protein and nutrients such as calcium, iron and folate. Research shows that the food eaten by a mother during pregnancy can affect the development of the baby, its health later in life and even its food and taste preferences. Choose a variety of healthy foods throughout pregnancy to give your baby the best start. Food safety throughout pregnancy is also an important issue as some bacteria can cause serious illness for pregnant women. Eatsense dietitians are fully qualified to assist new mums and mums to be with their dietary planning and effective nutritional management.

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COELIAC DISEASE

Coeliac disease (CD) is a condition affecting one in every hundred Australians. In people with CD the immune system reacts to gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, triticale and oats) damaging the lining of the small bowel and preventing the proper absorption of nutrients from food. Even small amounts of gluten can cause damage with or without noticeable symptoms.

Symptoms may include weight loss, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and anaemia (low iron). Very small amounts of gluten can cause damage to the intestine, with or without obvious symptoms. People with CD must stick to a strict gluten free diet for the rest of their lives. Avoiding gluten-containing grains means the immune reaction stops, the small bowel heals, and symptoms improve.

Visiting an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) is essential to make sure that:

• Your diet is well-balanced
• You are educated about gluten-containing foods
• You know what to look for on a food label
• You know how to avoid cross contamination
• Any problems with nutrient absorption are addressed, particularly in young children where CD can affect growth and development
• You reduce your risk of associated conditions such as chronic inflammation, malabsorption of nutrients and osteoporosis

To find out more information or to make an appointment with our Eatsense dietitian contact us now.

IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a condition of the digestive system that may result in a variety of uncomfortable symptoms including abdominal pain, wind, constipation and/or diarrhoea and bloating. It is estimated IBS will affect 1 in 5 australians over their lifetime. The foods that may help people to manage IBS
vary greatly, however many people with IBS find some foods do influence their symptoms. In some people, food intolerance or sensitivity may worsen the symptoms of IBS. A dietitian can provide individualised dietary advice to help manage the symptoms of IBS and ensure foods eaten meet nutritional needs. To find out more information or to make an appointment with our Eatsense dietitians contact us now.

POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME (PCOS)

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common female hormonal disorder, affecting one in twelve Australian women. Typically women with PCOS have enlarged ovaries containing small cysts. It is a condition that disrupts ovulation and the menstrual cycle causing symptoms such as irregular periods, weight gain, excessive body hair, mood changes, thinning head hair, excessive body hair and fertility issues.

The exact cause of PCOS is unknown, however, it is likely due to our genetic makeup and environment. Insulin resistance, carrying excess weight, particularly around the middle, play an important role. If you are at high risk of developing PCOS or have been diagnosed, following a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight and making lifestyle changes are essential. Regular exercise and eating the right balance of foods can help to improve insulin resistance and the long-term risks associated with PCOS including prediabetes, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Eating well and losing even small amounts of weight (5-10%) have been shown to reduce insulin levels, improve menstrual cycles, reduce testosterone levels, improve symptoms such as acne and low mood, restore ovulation and increase fertility. To find out more information or to make an appointment with our Eatsense dietitians contact us now.

INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a term used to describe Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis, conditions that cause inflammation of the bowel wall. Ulcerative Colitis causes inflammation of the lining of the colon and the rectum. Crohn’s disease causes inflammation of the full thickness of the bowel wall and may occur anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract. The exact cause of IBD is currently unknown, however, we do know that diet and food allergies do not cause IBD. Adjusting your diet however may help you manage some of your symptoms, particularly during flare ups, prevent malnutrition, maintain a healthy weight and reduce the severity of some symptoms.

During a flare up you may find some foods make your symptoms worse and may benefit from a low residue diet where certain foods are avoided for a short time and reintroduced when you are symptom free. The prevalence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) has been shown to be higher in patients with Crohn’s disease and therefore clients may benefit from an elimination diet. To find out more information or to make an appointment with our Eatsense dietitians contact us now.

VEGETARIAN & VEGAN NUTRITION

Plant-based diets such as vegetarian and vegan diets are one of the healthiest dietary patterns. In fact, researchers have found that following a well-balanced, plant-based diet rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes is associated with lower risks of chronic disease such as heart disease and type two diabetes. However, following a plant-based diet that is based on much less healthy foods such as refined grains (white bread, flaky cereals, biscuits) and sugar-sweetened beverages has an opposite effect. Therefore careful planning is required to ensure that all nutrient requirements are met and the diet is based on minimally processed, nutrient-rich foods. Specific nutrients that require extra consideration include protein, iron, zinc, Vitamin B12, calcium and omega-3 fats. Children in particular require additional planning when adopting a vegetarian or vegan diet as they have different nutrient needs to adults. To find out more information or to make an appointment with our Eatsense dietitians contact us now.

CHILDHOOD NUTRITION

The early years in life are an important time when lifelong food habits are starting to develop. Give your kids the best start by providing them with a healthy and balanced diet that helps them grow, learn and thrive. Adults play an important role in helping children learn about healthy eating and become competent eaters. Our dietitians can assist with common childhood nutrition concerns such as introducing solids, fussy eating, weight concerns, constipation, food intolerances and allergies, family meal planning, sports nutrition for young athletes and healthy lunchbox ideas. Teaching your child how to eat, how you feed and how your
child feels and behaves around mealtimes is just as important as what your child eats. A positive attitude to healthy eating should be encouraged from an early stage. To find out more information or to make an appointment with our Eatsense dietitians contact us now.