Hello! Long time no blog - oops. It's been utter madness at Nutrition by Nature HQ although I hope to be getting back into the swing of things soon... expect more regular articles and Q&A posts in the not-too-distant future! Here are links to two recent pieces penned for taste.com.au: 
As well, I'm chuffed to be mentioned in the pages of this month's The Australian Women's Weekly magazine. (Gleefully "cutting-edge, occasionally controversial" indeed!!)


Also in the works, based on the overwhelmingly positive feedback that's been coming in after last weekend's nutrition workshop in Hobart, Tasmania (thank you so much to the amazing Mel at Booty for rallying the troops and to all 120+ of you lovely people who attended!). 

I'll be planning some more seminars over the coming months. I'm thinking Sydney... obviously... and will also potentially line up gigs in other Aussie cities as well. So for all Australian readers, if you'd like to attend a one-off workshop in your home town and are willing to drag along a bunch of your nearest and dearest (let's uproot old dietary dogma, smash a bunch of food myths and issue some no-nonense nutrition advice for stress-free healthy living, yeah?), shoot me an email so I know that you're keen. And for international followers based in exotic locations... Bora Bora, Maui, The Bahamas...  I'm willing to drag myself over your way too so register your interest accordingly. 

Just a few topics that we covered in the seminar over the weekend (not an exhaustive list): 
  • Metabolism 101 - interpreting the signs of low metabolism and taking care of your thyroid
  • The importance of minimising 'stress', in all it's various guises
  • Relax. It's just food
  • Stop drowning your body in water! 
  • Salt myths and truths 
  • The dangers of polyunsaturated fats
  • Why butter is better!
  • Food specifics - protein, carbs and fats in perspective
  • Blood sugar basics
  • Eating nutrient-dense foods (but not exclusively!)  
  • Everyone loves to hate on sugar... but our bodies LOVE sugar!
  • Knowing when to ease up on the veggies
  • Soy milk, protein powders, green smoothies and flax seeds - fuhgeddaboudit... :S
  • Biofeedback - tuning in and getting to know to your body 
  • Why you should potentially eat MORE and exercise LESS
  • Intelligent exercise - myths about cardio and endurance training for weight loss
  • Losing weight the (only) healthy way - working with your body, not against it
  • Croissants are awesome and so is ice cream
  • Why the perfect diet isn't conducive to good health 
  • Why dessert can be a GREAT idea
  • Nutrition strategies for a good night's sleep
What people are saying... 

"That session yesterday was bloody amazing. It's the best thing I've done for myself in years - I feel so much more in control of how to proceed with good health, and Kate was absolutely brilliant to listen to. Not only is she herself a picture of good health, her advice hits the right note deep down inside your gut - it's that feeling you trust that has been previously clouded by incessant incorrect and untrustworthy marketing messages about what we should and shouldn't eat for good health. Finally the clouds have parted."

"Kate you did a terrific job keeping 120 of us listening, concentrating and then thinking for two hours, well done. You were really well prepared and I enjoyed the little stories you told to push a point. It was different to any other talk I have listened to on nutrition; lots of common sense backed by obvious scientific research. There is no doubt in my mind keeping stress levels down is crucial for mental health and long term wellbeing. You are a natural presenter!"

"Just awesome!! Reaffirms some things I already know - eg protein shakes, coconut oil, gelatin, meats, polyunsatured fats but WOW about carb/dairy/salt/sugar in regards to being Pro-Thyroid - I have NEVER in my thyroid journey ever heard anyone refer to the thyroid in nutrition and it was so refreshing!!! Very happy I'll be enjoying some rice and potatoes with BUTTER a little more often now."

Kate is a certified Clinical Nutritionist and offers one-on-one coaching for clients in Sydney Australia, and internationally via Skype or email. Visit the nutrition services page to find out more about private coaching, and be sure to subscribe via email and follow the Nutrition by Nature Facebook page for blog updates, articles, nutrition tips, recipes and special offers.  

 
 
Today, instead of answering a specific question (or a few) I thought I’d respond to requests that have come in via email for snack suggestions. It seems like the majority of people have their main meals pretty well down pat, but struggle for snack ideas. 

Particularly in a low metabolic state (indicated by low waking body temperature – <36.6ºC/97.8ºF – and pulse outside of normal range), snacks can be useful for balancing blood sugar between meals, minimising the release the release of stress hormones and increasing thyroid. When metabolism is optimal, you may find that you are able to go between main meals without signs of low blood sugar (cravings, low energy, irritability, headaches, anxiety, frequent urination, etc). 

I would encourage you, however, to avoid relying on countless snacks all day and ensure you get in proper 3x squares. Regular, hearty and well-balanced meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) encourage mindful eating, better digestion and greater post-prandial satiety. Even better, if you can put a little 
time and effort into preparing delicious, nutrient-dense meals, and savour them in good company, you’re more likely to feel truly satisfied both physically and emotionally by the food on your plate. 

A few of the below ideas were favourites from my previous snacky post (fruit + cheese will never get old!), some are updated and tweaked, and some are new. Here goes… 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Welcome to Q&A Mondays! Each Monday, I'll endeavour to answer some of the health questions sent in by readers via email, or that have been posted on the Nutrition by Nature Facebook page

This week's questions tackle some darlings of the health food industry - quinoa, almond milk and stevia. Are they really all they're cracked up to be? 

 
 
Welcome to Q&A Mondays! Each Monday, I'll endeavour to answer some of the health questions sent in by readers via email, or that have been posted on the Nutrition by Nature Facebook page

This week's questions are short but sweet, general food queries. Here goes... 

 
 
I really, really love milk. And cheese. And cream, yoghurt, custard and ice cream! But I get that not everyone enjoys (or can tolerate) dairy. Whatever your reason, the problem with not consuming dairy is that it is pretty difficult to obtain enough calcium in your diet via non-dairy sources – the calcium in vegetable foods such as broccoli, kale, dried figs and chickpeas tends to be poorly bioavailable, inadequately digested and inconvenient (you’d have to eat a truckload of figs or broccoli, which may come along with other, uh, ‘side effects’). 

 
 
The role of sound, restful sleep in the promotion of good health cannot be underestimated, with poor sleep (quality and/or quantity) linked to weight gain, metabolic disorders, depression, impaired cognitive function, athletic performance, reduced immune function, stress tolerance, and a host of other health conditions. 

 
 
There’s something magical about the way the French eat food. In France (pardon the generalization), people don’t seem to diet or deprive themselves, they appreciate quality of produce, real ingredients, developed flavours, and they take the time to savour long, lavish meals in an unhurried and sociable way.

 
 
Who wants to pay upwards of $40 for a body scrub when you can home-brew your own for a couple of bucks? Cheap and cheerfulness aside, making your own skin products also means you can control exactly what’s going onto and into your body – your skin is porous and will soak up anything you slather on it, so needless to say additives and excess chemicals aren’t a great idea. If it’s good enough to eat, you can be sure it’s good enough to put on your skin (and perhaps bake with later, no?).