Brush up, Kiwis!


Brush up, Kiwis! Brush up, Kiwis!

One in 10 New Zealanders brush their teeth less than once a day.
The International Oral-B Powerbrush Study* reveals:
  • 82% surveyed New Zealanders said they don’t floss once a day
  • 75% said they don’t use a mouthwash
  • 11% of Kiwis surveyed said they would give up certain foods or beverages to prevent staining their teeth
  • 22% said they were reluctant to have their picture taken as they were self-conscious about their smile.

http://www.healthyfood.co.nz/

HFG goes global!

Media release: NZ-owned magazine goes global
Magazine readers in the UK and Ireland are to get a food magazine that has been invented and cooked up in New Zealand.
Award-winning Auckland-based Healthy Food Guide magazine has been picked up internationally and will be published in the UK and Ireland.
It is believed to be one of the first ever New Zealand-created magazines to get international editions.
The independently-run New Zealand-owned magazine, which won the New Zealand magazine industry’s prestigious MPA Magazine of the Year award this year, is to be published under license by experienced publishers Eye to Eye Media, which also publish the UK version of upmarket food magazine, delicious.
“To be recognized internationally and launched under license is the ultimate stamp of approval for any publisher,” says the magazine’s managing director, Phil Ryan.
“They love this title and know the timing is right for the UK market.”
The magazine was launched in 2005 as a monthly consumer guide as to what foods are healthiest and how to prepare them in a healthy way.
It has been one of the country’s consistently fastest growing publications, with the latest official circulation figures showing a monthly readership of over 330,000.  Phil Ryan said it was “a great thrill to see all our hard work pay off.”
The UK edition will be launched on March 3rd 2011. There will be no change to the New Zealand or Australian editions, which will still be written and published in New Zealand and Australia respectively.
Phil Ryan said that Eye To Eye Media were established publishers, who turned out an impressive magazine of their own with delicious and would do a “brilliant job” with his title. He is looking forward to working with them as they develop the title in the UK.
For interviews, or further information:
Contact:
Phil Ryan
09 304 0920
phil.ryan@hlmedia.co.nz

Eye to Eye Media website is
http://www.eyetoeyemedia.co.uk
Contact:
Seamus Geoghegan
+44 20 7775 7777
seamus.geoghegan@eyetoeyemedia.co.uk

http://www.healthyfood.co.nz/ 

Brush up, Kiwis!Brush up, Kiwis!

One in 10 New Zealanders brush their teeth less than once a day.
The International Oral-B Powerbrush Study* reveals:
  • 82% surveyed New Zealanders said they don’t floss once a day
  • 75% said they don’t use a mouthwash
  • 11% of Kiwis surveyed said they would give up certain foods or beverages to prevent staining their teeth
  • 22% said they were reluctant to have their picture taken as they were self-conscious about their smile.
*The Oral-B Powerbrush Survey. The international survey of 2,000 respondents was commissioned by Oral-B and conducted by Perceptive Research in New Zealand (in November 2009) and Roper Public Affairs in United States.

http://www.healthyfood.co.nz/

Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes


Is diabetes during pregnancy caused by eating sweets? We explore the causes behind gestational diabetes and how it can be managed.
Gestational diabetes (GD) is the medical term given for diabetes first diagnosed during pregnancy. For many women it can be an upsetting diagnosis, but despite what many people think, it isn’t caused by eating sweets.

Who is at risk?

GD occurs in about five per cent of pregnancies but the incidence is increasing. In Pacific Island, Indian and Asian women the incidence may be as high as 10 per cent.
A woman is more likely to develop GD if she has certain risk factors, but it can develop in a woman who has no risk factors.
Risk factors for GD
A family history of diabetes
Being overweight
Over 25 years of age
Multiple pregnancy, ie. twins or more
A history of gestational diabetes or complicated pregnancy

Why does it happen?

During pregnancy, hormonal changes occur in a woman’s body to ensure a steady supply of glucose, as fuel, to the growing baby. One of the changes in the mother is the development of ‘insulin resistance’ which means her body doesn’t take up glucose as readily as usual. This is thought to help channel glucose to the baby in preference to the mother.
Women with GD have a greater severity of insulin resistance than that seen in normal pregnancies and are unable to produce enough insulin to control their own blood glucose levels. Consequently, their blood glucose levels rise above the normal range for pregnancy.

Why is it a problem?

Gestational Diabetes 2Gestational diabetes has health implications for a mother and her baby. One of the most widely recognised health implications is the risk of the baby growing too fat during pregnancy which can lead to complications in delivery. Untreated GD puts the baby at risk of growing disproportionately fat while in utero and suffering breathing difficulty, jaundice and low blood glucose (hypoglycaemia) at birth. It also puts the mother at increased risk of high blood pressure and pre-eclampsia.
The good news is, control of the mother’s blood glucose levels during pregnancy can prevent these complications.
After pregnancy, women who have had GD have a very high risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. There is also increasing evidence that GD influences the future health prospects of the child, with children of mothers who had GD found to be at higher risk of obesity and diabetes in later life.

How do I know if I have it?

General symptoms such as thirst, lethargy, increased hunger, urinary tract infections (UTIs) and vaginal thrush – which are often put down to simply being pregnant – can also be signs of GD.
It is recommended all pregnant women should consider being tested for GD at 26-28 weeks gestation, especially those with risks factors. Testing involves measuring the woman’s blood glucose response to a glucose drink (a glucose challenge test). If this test reads high, the woman will then do a fasting test over two hours.

How is it managed?

Gestational diabetes is managed with healthy eating, exercise and regular blood glucose monitoring. Some women will need to have more tailored carbohydrate portions for their meals, and some may need to have insulin injections as well. The insulin won’t harm the baby – it is a copy of what the woman’s body normally makes.
Tips to help control your blood glucose levels
Eat regularly – little and often is far better than large and irregular meals.
Choose low-GI carbohydrate – whole grain breads, cereals such as low-GI mueslis, rolled oats and All-Bran, legumes, fruit and low-fat dairy products.
Moderate the amount of carbohydrate you eat – avoid eating large meals of pasta, rice, bread or potato. Include these carbohydrate foods at different meals across the day in combination with vegetables, salads and lean protein foods.
Minimise foods high in saturated fat – this includes crisps, pastries, takeaways, butter and cream, biscuits and cakes.
Limit sugary foods and drinks – including soft drinks, cordials, confectionery and desserts.

Common questions

Will I be able to breastfeed?
Having GD does not affect your ability to breastfeed. Breast milk is the optimal source of nutrition for a baby and recommended as the sole food until the baby is around six months old. Breastfeeding may lower a child’s future risk of diabetes and a recent study suggested that it may even reduce a woman’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Will I get GD in my next pregnancy?
The rate of recurrence of GD varies but most women who have had GD in one pregnancy will develop it again in future pregnancies. In fact, blood glucose levels should be checked earlier in subsequent pregnancies because of the risk of undiagnosed diabetes or pre-diabetes between pregnancies.
Gestational DiabetesHow can I reduce my risk of diabetes in the future?
If you have had GD, it is important to try to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight and a good level of physical fitness after pregnancy. Eat a healthy diet which is low in saturated fat, rich in fruit, vegetables, legumes, fish and whole grains, and include regular physical activity.

The good news

  • If blood glucose levels are controlled, a woman can safely expect a full-term pregnancy and a normal delivery.
  • The baby will have no greater risk of being born with diabetes.
  • Chances are your diabetes will go away as soon as the baby is born. There is, however, an increased risk of diabetes in the future, so it is important to have your blood glucose checked six to 12 weeks after delivery and annually after that.
http://www.healthyfood.co.nz/

HFG goes global!

HFG goes global!

by Pip Mehrtens last modified Dec 07, 2011 04:28 PM
Media release: NZ-owned magazine goes global
Magazine readers in the UK and Ireland are to get a food magazine that has been invented and cooked up in New Zealand.
Award-winning Auckland-based Healthy Food Guide magazine has been picked up internationally and will be published in the UK and Ireland.
It is believed to be one of the first ever New Zealand-created magazines to get international editions.
The independently-run New Zealand-owned magazine, which won the New Zealand magazine industry’s prestigious MPA Magazine of the Year award this year, is to be published under license by experienced publishers Eye to Eye Media, which also publish the UK version of upmarket food magazine, delicious.
“To be recognized internationally and launched under license is the ultimate stamp of approval for any publisher,” says the magazine’s managing director, Phil Ryan.
“They love this title and know the timing is right for the UK market.”
The magazine was launched in 2005 as a monthly consumer guide as to what foods are healthiest and how to prepare them in a healthy way.
It has been one of the country’s consistently fastest growing publications, with the latest official circulation figures showing a monthly readership of over 330,000.  Phil Ryan said it was “a great thrill to see all our hard work pay off.”
The UK edition will be launched on March 3rd 2011. There will be no change to the New Zealand or Australian editions, which will still be written and published in New Zealand and Australia respectively.
Phil Ryan said that Eye To Eye Media were established publishers, who turned out an impressive magazine of their own with delicious and would do a “brilliant job” with his title. He is looking forward to working with them as they develop the title in the UK.
For interviews, or further information:
Contact:
Phil Ryan
09 304 0920
phil.ryan@hlmedia.co.nz

Eye to Eye Media website is
http://www.eyetoeyemedia.co.uk
Contact:
Seamus Geoghegan
+44 20 7775 7777
seamus.geoghegan@eyetoeyemedia.co.uk

Boosting folic acid


Boosting folic acidFolic acid fortification in food is a bid to reduce the risk of pregnancies affected by Neural Tube Defect (NTD).
Spina bifida is the most common type of NTD causing lifelong walking, bladder and bowel problems. More than half of the babies with NTDs are either stillborn or die shortly after birth. While mandatory fortification of bread with folic acid is now scheduled for 31 May 2012, the Ministry of Health recommends the following folic acid tablet intake for at least four weeks before and 12 weeks after becoming pregnant, or when you find you are pregnant:
  • Women at low risk of an NTD pregnancy – 0.8 mg (800 microgram) folic acid tablet daily.
  • Women at high risk of an NTD pregnancy (including women who have previously had a NTD pregnancy, have a family history of NTD or whose partner had a family history of NTD) – 5 mg folic acid tablet daily.
The folic acid tablets are available subsidised on prescription or can be purchased over the counter at pharmacies.
Source: Ministry of Health

 http://www.healthyfood.co.nz/

Ask the experts: Mould cheeses



Ask the experts: Mould cheesesIs there penicillin in mould cheeses like camembert and brie?
Question icon"Would the mould on camembert and brie cheeses affect an allergy to penicillin? My hubby loves his different cheeses but has not been game enough to try these two cheeses due to the mould. Are they both unsafe to eat or do they have different moulds on them?"
Christine
Answer iconWe asked the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) to respond:
“Many types of cheese are made using moulds from the Penicillium group, including surface-ripened cheeses such as brie and camembert as well as blue vein cheeses. The species of Penicillium that are used to make cheese do not produce the antibiotic penicillin.
While it is unlikely your husband will become ill, allergies are very serious and he should talk to his doctor about what he can safely eat with his penicillin allergy.”

http://www.healthyfood.co.nz/articles/searchcategories?vocabulary_name=hfm.categories.foodandnutrients&catalog_index=foodandnutrients_categories&vocabulary_term=dairyproducts