Wednesday 18 July 2012

TRAINING



TRAINING IN NUTRITION AND FOOD SAFETY

An understanding of nutrition and its impact on health is vital for catering staff and indeed anyone! Therefore training in Healthier Foods and Special Diets has a beneficial role.

This accredited qualification from the RSPH is aimed at those involved in catering, food and health-related occupations. I was delighted to be asked by the Catering Services Manager at Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to train some of her staff.

We had a brilliant days training with lots of involvement and questions, which demonstrated how keen the group were to deliver good nutritious food, which was appropriate for patients. Indeed all passed the examination with flying colours and certificates were awarded.

For information on training that I run in food safety, nutrition and health promotion go to the RSPH site.

Monday 9 July 2012

Milk Intolerances

image photo : Cows grazing freeAn intolerance to milk can be due to either the lactose the sugar in milk or the milk protein.

Symptoms of lactose intolerance include: a bloated stomach, flatulence (wind) and diarrhoea

The body digests lactose by using an enzyme called lactase to break down lactose into two simpler sugars which can then be easily absorbed into the bloodstream.

In lactose intolerance, the body does not produce enough of the lactase enzyme so lactose stays in the digestive system, where it is fermented by bacteria (in the same way that yeast is fermented to produce beer). It’s this fermentation process that causes the symptoms associated with lactose intolerance.

Sometimes if people have been ill with food poisoning or other conditions the lactase enzyme is reduced. They may then have a period of  intolerance.

If you suspect that you may be lactose intolerant, it is important to make an appointment to get a diagnosis confirmed (or ruled out) by a doctor.

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/lactose-intolerance/Pages/Symptoms.aspx

Sunday 1 July 2012

Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean Diet was the topic of a confrence I went to this week near Towcester.

The word diet is derived from the Greek for way of living--so not just about food.

Much of it links with what I said previously on diet and happiness. The Mediterranean Diet in the traditional form is associated with longevity.

It ties in with many of the other ideas on healthy eating --which means lots of fruit and vegetables, whole grains, pulses and some olive oil.

Lots of information on www.oldwayspt.org