Alcohol calories Alcohol is consumed as part of many social gatherings and is often referred to by many as “empty calories”. This is because consuming alcohol gives you lots of calories and very few nutrients that our bodies need. Alcohol is also very energy dense which means that: For every 1 gram of alcohol you consume this is providing your body with 29kJ (7 Cal)! So if a standard drink has 10g of alcohol then you are consuming … [Read more...]
Archives for May 2013
Parents as partners in speech therapy
“You should take this as a compliment that I’m so angry!” When I left my first paediatric private practice to move overseas in 2011, the response from parents was not exactly what I expected. Some were very pragmatic about it, others bought mugs and hand written cards from the children, while others became quite upset. My relatively inexperienced therapy brain felt a little worried and I wondered if there had been a better way to tell the … [Read more...]
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates (CHO) Carbohydrates or ‘carbs’ are one of the most commonly discussed nutrition topics amongst the general population. Most people seem to have an opinion on carbohydrates whether they have done their own research or have heard about them from diet programs or friends on diets (more often the case). So it begs the question – are carbohydrates bad for you? Do they make you gain weight? The fact is that there is no such thing as … [Read more...]
Glycaemic Index
What is the Glycaemic Index? The Glycaemic Index (GI) of food reflects how quickly the carbohydrate component of that item is digested and absorbed by the body and into the blood stream. This will therefore determine the impact that food will have on your blood glucose levels. Glycaemic Index is represented by a numbering system where each food or product is allocated a figure based on its absorption, placing it in the category of ‘low GI’, … [Read more...]
Benefits of Nuts
Nuts We hear it said so often that nuts are good for us and we should include them as part of a healthy balanced diet. But then we hear that eating too many is bad because it can lead to weight gain. Portion sizes are important, some nuts are better than others; it can all become very confusing. What are nuts? The Oxford Dictionary defines a nut as “a fruit consisting of a hard or tough shell around an edible kernel”. Nuts typically grow on … [Read more...]
Dysphagia
Dysphagia - what is it? Dysphagia is not a term that is often used in everyday conversation. It is the medical term that refers to difficulty eating and/or swallowing. Swallowing is generally an automatic process that we do without thinking. In fact the more we think about it, the more it becomes a challenge. A functioning swallow constitutes the transference of food or liquid from the mouth safely to the stomach. Most of us won’t ever … [Read more...]
The History of Cosmetic Injections
This is a redemption story that requires patience; the redemption takes some strange twists to reach its destiny. Cosmetic injection seemed to have been born under a bad star on the wrong side of the tracks. It was only by the perseverance of others that its redemption was finally achieved. Its life began on the very dark side of the tracks and it would always have this wild side; buried deep in its core. In the beginning, it was like a lethal … [Read more...]
Elderly Degenerative Disorders
Elderly Degenerative Disorders and Speech Therapy Sometimes, as a person ages, they can be afflicted by various disorders that bring hardships upon them and a decrease in their quality of life and mental well-being, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s. While often their onset is gradual, they are devastating not only to the sufferer but to their family and loved ones. One of the many things affected by these is a person’s ability to communicate … [Read more...]
The Onion-like Peeling of Chemical Peels
Chemical peels The classic yellow onion, revered basic component of good eating, begins its mature life as a harvested vegetable, rescued from dry, dusty garden soil. It began its young adult life as a green onion, fresh, supple, smooth, and already a prized member of the onion clan. But as the onion matures, its skin begins to dry and flake; it is brittle, excessively tanned and, finally, serves only to protect the tender layers of onion … [Read more...]
Dietary Management of Type II Diabetes
A Diet Prepared by a Diabetes Dietitian in Sydney Can Reverse the Effects of Type II Diabetes While maintaining a healthy diet is crucial for everyone, it is a necessary component in treating Type II Diabetes. The condition requires a diet formulated by a diabetes dietitian in Sydney who can help regulate the blood sugar levels of the person suffering from the condition. In addition to visiting a diabetes dietitian in Sydney, regular exercise … [Read more...]
