Food Stuff

Are vegetarian diets healthier?

Amanda Johnson • Jun 17, 2013

New research published earlier this month in JAMA Internal Medicine (3 June 2013) has found that vegetarian diets are associated with lower all-cause mortality. A total of 96,469 Seventh-day Adventist men and women were recruited between 2002 and 2007, from which an analytic sample of 73,308 participants remained after exclusions. Study participants filled out a diet and lifestyle … Read More

Caffeine in the news again

Amanda Johnson • May 10, 2013

The caffeine debate has been reignited again following the 3 May announcement by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that they are planning to launch an investigation into the safety of caffeine in food products, particularly its effects on children and adolescents. According to media reports, this latest review was prompted following the launch of a new … Read More

UK doctors unite to tackle obesity

Amanda Johnson • Feb 25, 2013

A new report published last week in the UK has come up with some comprehensive recommendations on tackling obesity. The report, Measuring up: the medical profession’s prescription for the nation’s obesity crisis, follows a 6-month inquiry by a steering group with representatives from 20 of the Royal Medical Colleges and Faculties. The report begins by describing the UK … Read More

Dodgy weight loss regimens

Amanda Johnson • Jan 07, 2013

Well, it’s that time again: after the indulgences of Christmas, many of us are starting to think about getting fit and healthy for the New Year. So, I was interested to see the Healthy Weight Network in the USA announce their Slim Chance awards at the end of 2012. These awards, they say, are aimed at “exposing the … Read More

The fat tax debate is reignited again

Amanda Johnson • Dec 12, 2012

The debate about fat tax has been reignited with the publication of a new paper today (12 December 2012) by New Zealand researchers. Taxes on soft drinks and foods high in saturated fats, and subsidies for fruit and vegetables, could lead to beneficial dietary changes and potentially improve health, say the authors of this latest research. Helen Eyles and her … Read More

Baby-led weaning

Amanda Johnson • Nov 27, 2012

Baby-led weaning is an alternative method for introducing complementary foods to infants, where the infant feeds themselves hand-held foods instead of being spoon-fed pureed foods by an adult. I first came across the concept of baby-led weaning just over a year ago when I was giving a talk to a group of new parents on starting solids. One or two … Read More

Are organic foods healthier?

Amanda Johnson • Sep 07, 2012

A new systematic review published in the Annals of Internal Medicine this week suggests not. The authors of this latest research reviewed 17 human studies and 223 studies of nutrient and contaminant levels. They conclude that the published literature lacks strong evidence that organic foods are significantly more nutritious than conventional foods; although consumption of organic foods may … Read More

Unhealthy weight control among New Zealand kids

Amanda Johnson • Aug 30, 2012

A new study just published this month by researchers at the University of Auckland has highlighted concerns about weight control behaviours among New Zealand adolescents, and has identified a number of ‘red flags’ for unhealthy weight loss. The new findings were published last week (21 August 2012) in the International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity by … Read More

New nutrition guidelines for children out today

Amanda Johnson • Aug 06, 2012

The Ministry of Health has today published the latest report in their series of Food and Nutrition Guidelines; this report is all about healthy children and young people from the ages of 2 to 18 years. Children and young people in New Zealand represent a quarter of the population. Making sure our children follow a good healthy balanced … Read More