LOW CALORIE SWEETENERS

I AM OFTEN ASKED ABOUT SUGAR AND LOW CALORIE SWEETENERS - so wanted to say that the ISA have really good and well researched advice on the topic

There are a range of low calorie sweeteners some in tablet form some in sachets and others in granular form

Some low calorie sweeteners can be used in cooking while others taste bitter due to the heat of cooking

There is a trend now for the natural sweetener derived from the Stevia plant and it is found in all sorts of foods and also beverages

I have a a Stevia plant in my kitchen and it is lovely to use in soft drinks or just nibble as it gives an intense sweet taste

It was from the local gardening centre and only £3.99

They make good presents for people with a sweet tooth!

 


http://www.sweeteners.org/

BREAST FEEDING

Breast feeding is well known to be the best start for babies and while it can be difficult for some women support does help

I was quite impressed to be told by a young builder who had a young baby how he had encouraged his wife to breastfeed and listening to him telling another builder about how important this was and ending with it is also a lot cheaper!

This may be of interest from http://www.independentnurse.co.uk

Almost half of breastfeeding mothers stop after two months

Written by: Rhys Handley | Published: 24 March 2017

Half of breastfeeding mothers stop at two months according to data from Public Health England and NHS England

Comment on this article

Nearly 50% of breastfeeding mothers stop after two months, according to new data from Public Health England (PHE) and NHS England.

In a survey of 500 mothers published on 23 March, 73% said they breastfed their newborn child, but this figure drops to 44% by six to eight weeks. PHE recommends breastfeeding for the first six months after birth, saying evidence shows the right support helps mothers breastfeed longer.

PHE chief nurse Viv Bennett said: ‘Breastfeeding, while natural, is something all mums and their babies learn by doing. Mums tell us, after the first few weeks, breast feeding becomes easier, so proper support is crucial at this time which is where our bot is designed to help.

More than half of mothers surveyed were concerned breastfeeding meant they would not be able to tell if their baby was getting too much or not enough milk. Many felt people might assume they need a special diet to breastfeed. Nearly three in ten worried breastfeeding could mean their baby might not be getting the right nutrients, indicating why mothers may stop breastfeeding at this early point.

Breastfeeding boosts a baby’s ability to fight illness and infection. Babies who are not breastfed are more likely to get diarrhoea and respiratory infections. It also lowers a mother’s risk of ovarian and breast cancer and burns around 500 calories a day.

More than half (63%) of mothers polled said they would feel embarrassed breastfeeding in the presence of people they don’t know, 59% felt the same about their partner’s family and 49% felt it about siblings and wider family members.

‘We can all help women feel comfortable breastfeeding their baby wherever they are,' added Ms Bennett. 'Creating a wider culture of encouragement and support will help make a mother’s experience all the more positive.’

PHE is now launching the Start4Life marketing programme to help parents and expecting parents to adopt ‘healthy behaviours’ at an early stage. They have unveiled a ‘chat bot’ on Facebook called Breastfeeding Friend which can provide advice immediately over the online messaging service.

TRAINING COURSE FOR THOSE WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES

 A little while ago I did training for groups of people using the X-pert  course for those with diabetes

Evaluations showed people really enjoyed the courses and it helped them to understand the condition plus also take steps to manage it.

Diabetes UK has an on line course

David, a Diabetes UK supporter, attended an X-PERT education course for people living with Type 2 diabetes. Find out how it's changed his life.

David's story

I decided to go on an X-PERT course after I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in my late 40s. I'd put it off because I wasn’t sure how helpful it would be, but now I'm spreading the word on how it’s changed my life and what made the course so fascinating and inspiring.

A major thing I took from the course is an understanding of the different treatment options that are available. It helped me make a decision about what treatment could be right for me and it gave me the confidence to suggest this treatment to my diabetes nurse. We’ve tried it out and it’s been successful.

Since the course my HbA1c has gone down significantly. I’m at the bottom of the desirable range for people with diabetes and I’m hoping to put my diabetes in remission. The sooner I can do that the better the outcomes will be for me longer term. Thanks to the X-PERT course I feel full of confidence about the future. I’m now looking forward to retirement. I want to be fit and healthy into my 90s and this course has helped me make decisions to do precisely that. If you can't attend a course in person there are free online options like Diabetes UK's Type 2 and Me. diabetes.org.uk OR to:diabetesuk@email.diabetes.org

MILK and DAIRY

I was invited to a really good meeting last night on Saturated Fat -Dairy and Cardiometabolic Health  which allayed fears anyone may have about milk and CHD

I always feel that while some people may not be able to tolerate milk for most it is a really useful component of the diet

There are lots of useful fact sheets full of  of information on milk, cheese and yogurt on the website plus also a spectrum of all sorts of recipes.

dairy council uk

World oral health day

Today 20th March is World Oral Health Day

Obviously a good diet with out too many sugary foods and drinks is important in preventing dental decay

I did quite a lot of teaching on this a while ago

http://www.worldoralhealthday.org/

Foundation Nutrition and Health

I have just been working on updating this book for Highfield.co.uk limited

It is a really useful and comprehensive book which works well for anyone wanting an overview of nutrition.

The book is perfect to accompany basic courses in nutrition.

It is quite easy to read but covers lots of information. Nutrition is very fast moving as regards research and up dates so there are lots of new items.

NUTRITION AND HYDRATION WEEK NOW

Our mission is to create a global movement that will reinforce and focus, energy, activity and engagement on nutrition and hydration as a fundamental element of maintaining the health and well-being for our global community.

Date for your diary – Nutrition and Hydration Week 2017 – 13th – 19th March

Nutrition and Hydration Week aims to highlight, promote and celebrate improvements in the provision of nutrition and hydration locally, nationally and globally.

Originally focussing on improvements in nutrition and hydration across health and social care we are now spreading our wings …….

Over recent years we have been so delighted that so many other organisations and sectors have got involved in Nutrition and Hydration Week that we now welcome and encourage everyone to take part in highlighting and promoting nutrition and hydration throughout the week.

Nutrition and Hydration Week has become a truly global event.

Our Aims & Charter demonstrate our commitment to supporting improvements in nutrition and hydration for the global community.

Why not show your support for Nutrition and Hydration Week 2017 by joining our thunderclap https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/53579-nutrition-and-hydration-week-2 

NHS Minor Ailment Scheme

Even though I have worked in the NHS for a number of years I did not know about this and it may help some people especially those on low incomes.

NHS Minor Ailment Scheme

I am a Public Governor for Kettering General Hospital NHS Trust and the accident an emergency department is often full of people with more minor ailments which could be resolved by the pharmacist.

Basically if you don't pay for prescriptions (Under 16's do not) then you can request a 'PHARMACY FIRST CARD' from your GP receptionist. 

This card entitles you to many free medicines without having to visit your doctor and obtain a prescription including; Liquid Paracetamol (calpol) and Sudocrem. Just take your card along to the pharmacy, explain the symptoms and the pharmacist will give you something to suit e.g. nappy rash, teething etc. There is no charge for this!

Schemes vary between locations, but the NHS Minor Ailment Scheme is for adults and children who:

• ·         Are registered with a GP surgery which is taking part in the scheme
• ·         Want treatment for a minor illness included in your local scheme

Medicines can be supplied free of charge to the customer if they are exempt from NHS prescription charges.

The NHS Minor Ailment Scheme is available in Scotland and Northern Ireland, but only in selected pharmacies across England and Wales. 

It is easy to go to the website and see where the nearest pharmacy in the scheme is by putting in your postcode

Read more at http://www.boots.com/prescription-support/minorailments#i2aiOHXtBFEUzxho.99Read more at http://www.boots.com/prescription-support/minorailments#i2aiOHXtBFEUzxho.99

BRITISH PIE WEEK

Did you know it is British pie week

I used to make pastry quite often but seldom make it these days. Lovely pies can be made and made "healthier" with lattice type tops, only using a top rather than a top and bottom to the apple or meat pie, using lots of fruit in the filling as well as keeping as a treat rather than every day.

You can also use some wholemeal flour in making the pastry to boost the fibre content.

Pie toppings can also be made with vegetables like mashed or sliced potatoes, mashed up vegetables like swede or carrots or even cauliflower

Here are some ideas for pies

https://mail.google.com/mail/ca/u/0/#inbox/15aad9599d47abf9

MEAL IDEAS

It is often difficult to know what to cook and eat each day so it is good to have some inspiration and Diabetes co have a free recipe book which is useful for anyone

Recipes are easy to make plus economical

Eat a new meal every day

The 365 Diabetes Cookbook, FREE to download, has a recipe for every day of the year. In fact, it has a staggering 440 pages of recipe ideas to choose from.