The Diet Practice Horsham

Our new leaflet

We proudly announce the launch of our new leaflet.. you can download it by clicking on the picture below.

Download the PDF leaflet here

Facts about Whole Grains and Health

Foods made with whole grain can make an important contribution to our health and general wellbeing.   There have been many studies into their health benefits which show that regular consumption of whole grain foods as part of a healthy diet can help to reduce the risk of heart disease, certain types of cancer and type 2 diabetes.  Studies have also shown that people who eat more wholegrain foods have a lower Body Mass Index and are less likely to gain weight over time.
Whole grain is made up of the bran, germ and endosperm of the grain kernel. The combination of the 3 sections means that they contain vitamins B and C, minerals (iron, zinc, potassium, selenium), essential fatty acids, soluble and insoluble fibre and phytochemicals.  Most of the health-promoting substances are found in the germ and bran of the grain and not from the endosperm used in white refined flour. The most commonly consumed whole grains are wheat (66-75% of the total), followed by oats, rice, corn then rye.  Bulgur wheat, millet and quinoa are less common but are increasing in popularity.

In the UK, the Food Standards Agency recommend that you base a third of your food intake around the bread, cereals and potatoes food group, aiming to include one food from this group at each meal. They also advise us “to eat wholemeal, wholegrain, brown or high fibre versions where possible”.  Currently about a third of adults do not consume any wholegrain! In Canada the recommendations are more specific, 5-8 servings of grain products per day and to make at least half of the grain products consumed each day whole grain.

Ideas for including more wholegrain in your diet:

Your browser may not support display of this image. Have whole grain cereals for breakfast such as porridge made from rolled oats or oatmeal, whole-wheat cereals, puffed whole grains, whole grain muesli or cereal bars.  Whole grain foods do not need to contain 100% whole grain but need to have a minimum of 51% whole grain to be called whole grain. They also need to contain all 3 components of the grain.

• Try different types of whole grain bread such as rye bread (pumpernickel), wholemeal, granary, wheat germ or mixed grain breads, wholemeal pitta
• Choose whole wheat crackers, rye crackers and crisp breads or whole grain rice cakes or oatcakes
• For cooking and for making bread, pizza bases, pancakes and cakes opt for wholemeal flour, wheat germ, buckwheat flour, unrefined rye and barley flour, oatmeal and oat flour.
• Choose brown rice, whole wheat pasta and experiment with other grains such as whole barley, bulgur wheat, quinoa, or millet. In the Summer try salads such as  tabbouleh made from cracked wheat,  and in the Winter add whole grain barley to soups.

Whole Grains

Are soups fattening?

If you are trying to lose weight choose recipes and shop bought soups which are vegetable based such as carrot and tomato soup, mushroom soup, butternut squash soup.  Calories per portion can vary hugely so it is important to check  for example a portion of homemade carrot and tomato soup can contain 110 calorie and a butternut squash soup 160 calories.

If you would like the recipes just email The Diet Practice.  If you decide to buy your soups check the labels for fat and salt content and go for the healthy choices such as slim a soups, reduced calorie, be good to yourself, Weight Watchers ranges etc.  Alternatively look on the Covent Garden Soup website as they have details of all their soups and calories per portion.   A slice of bread would make the soup more filling for lunch and add approximately 100 calories.  Alternatively you can boil up a portion of rice or pasta, drain and then add the can of soup.

Is soup fattening??

Change 4 Life campaign

We are sure you have seen the Change 4 Life advertising. The campaign started in January this year and is aimed at families with children aged 0-11 and aims to prevent children from becoming overweight by encouraging them to eat well and move more.

It has useful advice on eating a healthy balanced diet which includes tips on sugar swap ideas, importance of regular meals, healthy snacks, how to have 5 A Day and cutting back on fat.

On their website you can sign up for a Free Action Plan, as well as lots of useful leaflets, fun stickers, and Kids’ activity and colouring sheets. Why not have a look if you haven’t already?

Change for Life logo

WELCOME TO SUSSEX DIETITIAN

Hi…. My name is Susie Longford and I am a degree trained and HPC Registered dietitian in private practice, based at the Bartholomew Way Clinic, in Horsham, West Sussex.

I look forward to helping you with your problem.

Registered Dietitians (RDs) are the only qualified health professionals that assess, diagnose and treat diet and nutrition problems at an individual and wider public health level. Uniquely, dietitians use the most up to date public health and scientific research on food, health and disease, which they translate into practical guidance to enable people to make appropriate lifestyle and food choices.

Dietitians are the only nutrition professionals to be statutorily regulated, and governed by an ethical code, to ensure that they always work to the highest standard. Dietitians work in the NHS, private practice, industry, education, research, sport, media, public relations, publishing, NGOs and government. Their advice influences food and health policy across the spectrum from government, local communities and individuals.

The title dietitian can only be used by those appropriately trained professionals who have registered with the Health Professions Council and whose details are on the HPC web site.

Diet, Diabetes & Cardiovascular disease

Diabetes, Cardiovascular disease, including raised blood pressure, raised cholesterol and strokes

Our diet has a profound effect on diabetes and cardiovascular disease. At Bartholomew Clinic analysis of your dietary intake will identify areas of your diet which can be modified to help recovery and increase prevention of further physiological deterioration.

You have probably been prescribed a diet to follow such as to change the type of fat you are eating from predominantly saturated fat to monounsaturated and polyunsaturated oils and are wondering what these fats are and how you can incorporate these into your dietary regimen. At the clinic these confusions can be explained clearly to you, and together a dietary regimen can be planned to suit your requirements.

A diagnosis of diabetes in its various forms (raised blood sugar level, type 1 diabetes mellitus and type 2 diabetes mellitus) will mean that your dietary intake will play a vital role. Many sufferers of diabetes do not understand the importance of maintaining a healthy and stable blood sugar and blood-fat level. At the clinic time can be spent explaining how these systems work to cause bodily deterioration. Time can be spent to discuss how your diet can to be modified to current recommendations in a form achievable to you.

A diagnosis of raised blood pressure may be associated with you feeling fine and leaving you wondering why you should make dietary changes. Stroke is a major cause of disability in the UK, with raised blood pressure being a major contributor. It is imperative that alcohol consumption, salt and body weight be addressed – all of which can be discussed, with practical and achievable dietary aims and objectives negotiated.

Web links:

British Heart Foundation
www.bhf.org.uk

Familial Hyperlipidaemia Association
Family Heart Association
www.familyheart.org

Diabetes UK
www.diabetes.org.uk

Gender & Diet

Differing dietary requirements for men and women

Men and women have different dietary requirements; not only this, but they are predisposed to different illnesses: males are more prone to cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, alcoholism, duodenal ulcers and lung cancer, whilst women display significantly higher rates of eating and depressive disorders and connective tissue disease.

It has been proposed that a reduction in physical exertion and inappropriate eating and drinking of modern living does not suit a male’s innate skills of physical strength and spatial skills; consequently leading to specific disease predispositions listed in the above paragraph.

Research has shown that men are less likely to seek medical intervention and screening, and are often threatened to make life-style changes in fear of being labeled effeminate. By making small changes to the diet, a profound change can occur in a man’s weight and reduction to disease onset.

By visiting Bartholomew Clinic your diet and life-style and health needs can be analysed and adjustments can be personalised to suit you.

Pre-conceptual nutrition, pregnancy and lactation

Research shows that the nutritional status of the mother and father can have a profound effect on the outcome of the child.

If possible a dietary analysis and consultation is advisable for all couples considering starting or expanding their family.

Nutrients such as folic acid, iron and calcium are often at risk from deficiency following the typical British diet, and thus it is imperative that their status is analysed and corrections made as deficiency can have a profound effect on foetal development and the mother’s health status.

During pregnancy, the developing foetus requires nutrients which are drawn from the mother’s bodily stores. The mother’s health could be compromised if her nutrient status is not satisfactory. Parents are often confused with what diet they should be consuming during pregnancy – how much coffee and tea; whether food can be eaten raw or must be cooked, and what balance of foods they should be eating.

By visiting Bartholomew Way Clinic, these concerns can be addressed and your diet analysed with practical suggestions to achieve dietary change.

The Department of Health and the World Health Organisation advocates a baby being breast fed exclusively for the first six months – most parents can find this hard to achieve.

Web links:
National Childbirth Trust
http://www.nctpregnancyandbabycare.com/home

La Leche League
http://www.laleche.org.uk/

Breastfeeding Network
http://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/

Cancer Prevention

Many people have concerns about developing cancer, especially if they have a close relative that has developed the disease.

There is a strong link between dietary intake and the development of cancer.

There are a number of current dietary guidelines that one can adhere too that will help to reduce the risk of cancer, such as reducing the intake of red meat and processed meat, as well as maintaining an ideal body weight.

At Bartholomew Way Clinic we can analyse your diet and compare your intakes to these guidelines. Where changes are required, these can be discussed and tailored to suit.

Web link:
Cancer UK
http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/

Cancer Research Campaign
www.crc.org.uk

Vegetarian & Vegan Diets

Vegetarianism can bring with it many health benefits, such as lower saturated fat content, high in fibre and antioxidants which results in this diet often conferring many cardiovascular benefits.

Unfortunately often people follow such a diet without properly planning a balanced diet and nutrients such as the B vitamins, iron, zinc, calcium and protein are often compromised; this is particularly prevalent to adolescent females and can have a profound effect on their long-term health. It is thus advisable that a person consuming a vegetarian diet is aware of the nutrients that are at risk and gains information on how to balance their diet.

At Bartholomew Way Clinic we can offer such assistance and analyse your existing diet to highlight any potential deficiency concerns.

Web links:
Vegan Society

Vegetarian Society