 |
  Dear
Diet Detective..
Expert
Judith Wills is here to solve all your diet and nutrition problems.
Do you have a question for The Diet Detective? Why
not send it in to us!
info@beautyandlace.com.au
Visit her website at: www.thedietdetective.net
Dear
Judith,
I have a fat, bloated-looking stomach which I hate – especially
around period time. Is it true that a salty diet can make bloating
worse and if so, why is this?
Tasha, Sussex.
Yes it is true. When you eat a lot of salt, your body tries to
cancel it out by retaining extra fluid to dilute the sodium, which
can be toxic in excess. That is why you often feel extra thirsty
after a very salty meal or snack and why when you snack on peanuts
at the bar you tend to order more drinks!
For many women the surplus fluid is retained around the stomach
area and sometimes in the face and round your eyes.
So if you are particularly prone to bloating, avoid high-salt foods
including added salt, salted crisps and nuts, packets and cans of
soups and sauces, bacon, ham, salami, prawns, hard cheeses, bread
(surprisingly high in salt) and crackers (this isn’t an exhaustive
list – read labels for salt content and go for items labelled
low in salt).
Extra fluid and sodium will be excreted if you eat a diet high in
potassium – found in most fresh fruits, salads and vegetables.
THE DIET DETECTIVE
Dear
Judith,
I’m trying to eat a healthier diet especially foods low on
the Glycaemic Index (GI Diet). In winter I eat a lot of porridge
but in summer it is too stodgy for me and I can’t be bothered
to make it. Is it alright to substitute instant porridge oats (e.g.
Oatso Simple) or do you have any other ideas?
Rashmi, W. London
AS well as being low GI, oats are also great at lowering blood
cholesterol and keeping your heart healthy so well done for your
new diet.
The instant oats available will do the same job. They often have
added sugars in them but, as most people add sugar or honey to their
porridge anyway, this is basically no different.
Otherwise you could simply eat oat-based muesli instead. Most mueslis
have wheat flakes as their prime ingredient so you need to check
the label. There are a few which are oat-based – my own local
Co-op sells Fair Trade muesli which is oats.
Or you could buy jumbo oats from the health food store, some dried
fruits, nuts and seeds – and make your own. It is very easy
and works out cheaper. Store in a lidded container.
THE DIET DETECTIVE
Dear Judith,
Are there any foods I can eat that will help moisturise my skin
and protect it from sunburn? I am going to Turkey for 3 weeks later
in the summer and I have fair, dry skin.
Lynn, Newcastle
There’s quite a lot you can do via your diet to help boost
your skin’s own defences against dryness and sunburn.
A diet rich in anti-oxidant foods boosts your skin’s own ability
to cope with UVA and UVB rays. When you over-expose your skin to
the sun, your body production of particles called ‘free radicals’
increases - which cause cell damage in greater quantity than normal.
An abundance of anti-oxidants helps your body to neutralise these
free radicals, reducing the oxidation in the skin cell membranes.
The best anti-oxidant for sun protection is beta-carotene, a type
of vitamin found in various fruits and vegetables, particularly
those which are orange, red, yellow or dark green.
Great sources are carrots, canteloupe and other orange-fleshed melons,
apricots, spinach, kale, cos lettuce, red peppers, sweet potatoes
and watercress. Tomatoes, papaya, mangoes, mangetout, courgettes,
broccoli and peas are also good sources. All these vegetables and
fruits are also high in vitamin C – another potent anti-oxidant.
Supplements
You could also take a daily beta-carotene supplement for 2 weeks
before going away and while you are on holiday – research
shows that a supplement containing around 25,000 IU can boost the
sun protection factor of your skin by around 3. This will also help
you to tan lightly in the sun. Discontinue as soon as you are home.
For preventing skin dryness eat plenty of mono-unsaturated fats
- contained in olive oil, nuts and avocadoes and omega-3 fats (oily
fish, leafy greens, seeds). Nuts, seeds, avocados and olive oil
are also high in vitamin E, which is a great vitamin for supple,
healthy skin.
You also need to drink plenty of fluids, preferably water, to keep
your skin hydrated. Aim for 2 litres a day. Don’t forget your
sun protection factor either and lashings of after-sun!
TIP: Take some vitamin E capsules on holiday, break
one each night and smooth the contents on your face. Works a dream!
THE DIET DETECTIVE
|
|
