Nutrition

Soups to keep you feeling full!

by (Dietitian and Sports Dietitian)

In the cooler months soups can be a great way to warm up. Here are some soup recipes that are high in protein so they’ll fill you up for longer.

Broccoli Soup:broccolisoup

Takes: 20 mins

Serves: 3

Ingredients

  • 1 clove of garlic
  • 2 sticks of celery
  • 400 g broccoli
  • ½ a bunch of fresh mint
  • olive oil
  • 1 litre salt-reduced chicken or vegetable stock
  • 500g reduced fat ricotta cheese

Method

Peel and finely chop the garlic. Trim and roughly chop the celery and broccoli. Pick the mint leaves, then finely chop most of them, saving a few baby leaves to garnish.

Heat a splash of oil in a pan, then soften the garlic and celery for about 2 to 3 minutes, then add the broccoli and stock. Continue cooking for another 5 minutes, then blitz with a handful of mint in a food processor.

Season and then crumble over the ricotta and scatter with the reserved mint leaves to serve.

Adapted from Jamieoliver.com

 

Lamb & Barley Soup:

Time: 1 hr 20 mins + overnight cooling

Serves: 6

Ingredients

  • 500g lamb off cuts (on the bone)
  • 1 carrot, chopped
  • 1 stalk celery, including the leaves, chopped
  • 1 potato, chopped
  • 1
… read more »

Marvellous Mushroom Recipes!

by (Dietitian and Sports Dietitian)


Marvellous Mushroom Recipes

Did you know that mushrooms contain vitamin D. Most vitamin D in our bodies is made in our skin when we go out into the sunlight but mushrooms are one of the few foods sources of vitamin D. Try out some of these mushroom recipes to get a little more vitamin D in your day.

 

Blasamic Glazed Mushrooms

Takes 10min

Serves 2

Ingredients

  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1x 200g punnet sliced mushrooms
  • 2 tsp balsamic glaze
  • olive oil

Method

Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and sliced mushrooms and cook, stirring regularly, until browned, 3-4 minutes. Add the balsamic glaze and cook, stirring, until coated, 1-2 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve over a lean steak or roast beef.

Adapted from hellofresh.com.au

 

Pesto Breakfast Mushrooms

Takes 25min

Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 250 g punnet cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 tbs balsamic vinegar
  • 4 large flat field or Portobello mushrooms
  • 1 tbs basil pesto
  • basil leaves, torn, to serve

Method

Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan forced). Place tomatoes on a tray lined with baking paper and drizzle with vinegar. Trim mushroom stems and … read more »

A day on a plate of a Dietitian

by (Dietitian and Sports Dietitian)

A day on a plate of a Dietitian

I work every day with people who are trying to change their eating to improve their health, feel more energy and manage hunger and cravings. I love to offer people time saving tips, places to look for recipes and ways to make sure their food is nutritious even if they’re in a hurry. This often makes people ask – what do you eat? So here it is! A day in the life of a dietitian (roughly).

I do want to preface this by saying that this diet is specific to me, I am a young(ish), 5’7” female who exercises for an hour most days. This diet is almost definitely not the right one for you but if you’d like to me to help you find what is you’re welcome to ask me.

7:30am wake up

I am not, I repeat NOT, a morning person. So I manage to pull myself out of bed each morning but I’m usually in a rush to get ready.

8:00am breakfast

Although I’m in such a rush I always make time for breakfast, albeit a quick one. My favourite breakfast is Greek yogurt, home-made stewed fruit and … read more »

Magnesium- what is it and how can I get enough in my diet?

by (Dietitian and Sports Dietitian)

What is Magnesium?

  • Magnesium is a mineral that you need every day for good health.
  • Magnesium helps you take energy from food and make new proteins.
  • It is also an important part of your bones, and helps keep your muscles and nerves healthy.
  • Some people find that magnesium-rich foods or supplements help to reduce their cramping and muscle soreness.

  • The best sources of magnesium are legumes, nuts, seeds, fish and whole grains.

 

How much Magnesium should I aim for?

Daily target

Men 19-30yrs

330mg

Men 30+yrs

350mg

Women 19-30yrs

255mg

Women 30+yrs

265mg

** Magnesium from supplements should not exceed 350 mg per day. It is safe to consume more than your daily magnesium needs from food.

 

How can I get enough Magnesium without taking supplements?

The following table shows you which foods are good sources of Magnesium.

Food

Serving size

Magnesium (mg)

All bran

30g

83

 

Almonds

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1⁄4 cup

 

123

 

Banana

 

1 med

 

25

 

Brazil nuts

 page2image18416

1⁄4 cup

 

116

Brown rice

 

1 cup

page2image23672

86

Cashews

1⁄4 cup

83

 

Dark chocolate

 page2image29200

40g

 

48

Firm tofu

 

150g

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112

Greek yogurt

175g

28

Hazelnuts

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1⁄4 cup

53

Kale, cooked

… read more »

Healthy Breakfast Options

by (Dietitian and Sports Dietitian)

Looking for something yummy to mix up your breakfast routine but also want something healthy? We have you covered with these dietitian endorsed recipes below.

AVOCADO TOAST WITH LEMON AND KALE

TOTAL TIME: 15 minutes Serves 2-4

INGREDIENTS:Healthy Breakfast Avo Toast

  • 1 cup shredded kale (no stems)
  • 1/2 lemon
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 4 slices multigrain bread
  • 1 small avocado
  • 1/8 teaspoon cumin
  • 4 thin slices radish (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon chia seeds

DIRECTIONS:

  1. In a bowl combine the kale, olive oil and juice of 1/4 lemon.
  2. Massage with your hands for about 1 minute, until the kale softens.
  3. Slice the avocado in half, reserving 1/2 of one avocado for thin slices. Scoop the rest into a small bowl and mash gently with a fork. Season with salt, black pepper and juice from 1/4 of a lemon.
  4. Toast the slices of multigrain bread.
  5. Spread the avocado mash across the toasted bread, top with slices and sprinkle with cumin (more lemon juice if desired).
  6. Top each with the massaged kale, radish and chia, finish with pinch salt and black pepper to taste.

Recipe from skinnytaste.com and endorsed by our dietitian Cass

 

Skinny Green Tropical Smoothie
Serves 2

Ingredients:Healthy Breakfast Green Smoothie

  • 3/4 cup lite coconut milk
  • ¾ cup
… read more »

5 Biggest Nutrition Mistakes According to a Dietitian

by (Dietitian and Sports Dietitian)

nutrition CassI work with people every day who are trying to improve their health and wellbeing with food. In my consults, I hear some of the same problems cropping up over and over again. So here’s my list of five nutrition mistakes that I see every day.

 

  1. Going on a diet

It might seem crazy to hear that, as a dietitian, I hate diets. The reason is that diets tend to have two things in common:

  1. They have arbitrary rules that don’t consider you as an individual
  2. They are temporary.

I often ask my clients “do you see yourself eating this way when you’re 80?” No? Then why start now? If you want to make a permanent change to your health and wellbeing you need a permanent change in what you eat. So my advice – make changes that you can keep up with, long-term.

 

  1. Not drinking enough (water that is)

Most of my clients do not drink enough water. They could be too busy, have trouble getting access to water or just don’t like it. Dehydration can make you feel tired which makes it harder to make good decisions about food. Some people also experience cravings for food … read more »

Cassandra Stuchbery

by (Dietitian and Sports Dietitian)

Cassandra completed her Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics and Monash University in 2014 and is now an Accredited Practising Dietitian and Accredited Nutritionist. She believes in using nutrition education to help people take control of their own health.

Cassandra has experience with helping people with a wide range of conditions, however, she has a special interest in helping people manage their food intolerance’s and lose weight in a sustainable way. Cassandra’s motto is “If you don’t want to do it for life then why start now?” as she aims to help people make long terms change to their nutrition to get long term results.

Cassandra consults at our Boronia clinic. She is a registered provider for Medicare, NDIS, DVA and Private Health Insurance.

 … read more »

Nutrition and healthy eating for a new Mum

by (Dietitian & Sports Dietitian)

The arrival of your new baby is extremely exciting and stressful as it requires you to make a lot of adjustments. It is common that new mums and dads experience appetite disturbances, where they may feel disinterested in food. This is often caused by sleep disturbances.

Your diet gives you the energy you need during the day and keeps your body nourished so that it runs at its peak. Five small meals a day is recommended, but if you are finding it difficult to fit everything in as well as taking care of your new born, make sure you are eating at least three meals daily. This is important to ensure you get all the nutrients you need to recover from the birth as well as helping you make milk if you are breastfeeding.

We advise the following to ensure you maintain a nutritious and healthy diet.

  • Eat a variety of different coloured fruit and vegetables daily.  These provide vitamins and minerals for your immune system and overall health.
  • Eat plenty of breads and cereals which include wholegrains, rice and pasta for energy.
  • Eat protein every day including meat, chicken, fish, eggs and cheese. Protein helps to repair tissues and
… read more »

Warm up with a hearty bowl of Bean and Kale soup

by (Dietitian & Sports Dietitian)

Recipe adapted from Good Taste magazine via Body & Soul

Serves 4 (prep 20 mins + 8 hours soaking time, cooking 1 hr 20)
1 cup dried beans – any type; black beans or borlotti work well
1 tbs olive oil
1 large brown onion finely chopped
2 carrots finely chopped
2 celery sticks finely chopped
2 garlic cloves crushed (or 1tsp minced garlic)
2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
1/4 tsp chilli flakes
400g  no added salt tinned diced tomatoes
1tbs no added salt tomato paste
5 cups (1.25L) water
1 bunch kale, stalks trimmed and shredded
Pepper to taste
Method:
Place beans in a bowl and cover with cold water. Soak for 8 hours and drain. *If pressed for time and using tinned beans in place of dried beans, you will not need to soak them)
Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat and add onion, carrot and celery. Stir occasionally, cooking for 6-7 mins or until soft.
Add garlic, thyme and chilli. Stir for 1 minute then add tomato paste, and stir for another minute.
Add beans, diced tomato and water to the saucepan. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, partially covered,
… read more »

Satisfying the munchies

by (Dietitian & Sports Dietitian)

Snacks are an important inclusion to the daily dietary intake to help top up your energy stores and keep you going throughout the day. In today’s society we are quite time poor and resort to quick and readily available foods which tend to be nutrient poor and high in energy such as chips and chocolate. This makes it difficult to achieve a healthy intake. For many individuals, poor snack choices can lead to unwanted weight gain and overall poor health.  Snacks which are nutritious can assist with increasing concentration and therefore work productivity, increase energy levels as well as provide key nutrients for health. When you’re next stuck for ideas to satisfy the munchies between main meals try one of my top 6 snack ideas below.

 

1.      SEASONAL FRUITS

Enjoy the broad variety of winter fruits which are starting to appear in local supermarkets; apples, grapefruit, mandarins and oranges. 1 serve of fruit will provide a low energy snack (approximately half the calories of 5 small squares of plain milk chocolate) that is also full of fibre, vitamins and minerals which are important for gut health, immune function, blood sugar control and other key bodily functions. It will satisfy … read more »