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General
Many of the diet- and nutrition-related stories on our site don't fit into a specific category. Find them all in this section.
We invite you to use our search function if you're looking for info on a specific subject. Happy hunting!
The healthy hunter-gatherer
Our ancestors from long ago never experienced the health problems that we do such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Here are some reasons why.
Diet lessons from Survivor
In each one of the Survivor series, food has played a crucial role and often determined the outcome of survival for individual participants.
Help for hypoglycaemia
Hypoglycaemia commonly affects diabetics who inadvertently use too large doses of insulin, but it can also occur in non-diabetic individuals. What should you know?
Sensational diet and food stories
Have you ever received e-mail warnings that read something like “Food X will make you blind, impotent, or give you cancer”, or “Additive Y is a carcinogen, and may cause ADHD”?
Green tea – healthy or not?
Green tea is increasingly being used in western countries to obtain health benefits. But how true are the claims that green tea can cure certain diseases and induce weight loss?
The metabolic syndrome
It is estimated that one in five American adults suffer from metabolic syndrome and it is plausible that more or less the same figures apply to South Africa. DietDoc comments.
Soy - healthy or harmful?
Soy has been touted the miracle food of the 20th century, but new research suggests it may be doing more harm than good. Are you confused? Then read these comments by DietDoc.
What we know about IGF-1
Could milk consumption lead to increased levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and subsequent increased risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes? DietDoc investigates.
A-Z of sugar intake
Nutritionists agree that sugar has a place in the balanced diet. Find out where this carbohydrate fits into the daily energy supply, how it is digested, classified, and more.
Heat stroke and dehydration woes
The 11th series of the ever-popular Survivor Series started on Tuesday, and already after the first episode, there are lessons we can learn from the Survivors, writes DietDoc.
Survivor: food, seductive food
It's still early days in the Survivor Guatemala series and already the monotony of the maize diet is starting to have its effects. Read DietDoc's interesting comments.
Don’t worry, just eat curry!
Call it whatever you like: yellow ginger, haldi, turmeric or E100. This versatile herb, a spice commonly used in curries, is turning out to be amazingly healthy.
Sugar's effect on cholesterol
A toffee here, a jelly baby there. Do these foods, and how much sugar you eat, have an effect on your blood-fat levels? DietDoc recently reviewed a number of relevant studies.
Insulin resistance risk factors
Insulin resistance is a blood sugar disorder associated with heart disease and often caused by an unhealthy lifestyle. Check how many of these risk factors you have.
Functional food: a booming industry
Right now, commercially produced functional foods are causing quite a stir. Health24 takes a critical look at consumer awareness levels and the potential of this market.
9 healthy food tips
A balanced diet can do wonders for your wellbeing. Check out these food tips.
Favourite foods: the good news
Fed up with hearing that you can't eat this, that that will clog up your arteries and that your favourite snack will eventually be the death of you?
Poisoning yourself with vitamins?
Thousands of South Africans drink vitamin supplements, which they get from pharmacies and health stores, every day. Yet new research shows that this could be a deadly practice.
Berry healthy
There’s a champion new berry that’s come to town, and in its plump little body it has 18 amino acids, six vitamins, anti-ageing properties and the richest source of antioxidants.
The illegal line fish of the day
Eating fish is a healthy choice. But you may be eating fish in danger of extinction, or a species that may be illegal to buy or sell in South Africa. Check here.
The ultimate diet solution
Wondering what a balanced diet looks like? Looking for a good weight-loss diet? Or desperate to find nutritious menu plans? Then this book is for you.
Better-body resolutions for 2008
The change from the old year to the new is often a spur to turning over a new leaf, especially with regards to health. But you'll only succeed if you set reasonable goals.
TV sports feast without the gut
Let your inner couch potato out: we've got it contained.
Food-safety principles
These food safety principles are for everyone, especially those with compromised immune systems, such as people living with HIV/Aids.
The sweet thing about this sugar
Ever dreamt of a sugar that's low in calories, prevents tooth decay and that has healing properties? Then your luck is in.
The wow about vitamin D
We're stunned by all the amazing, newly discovered health benefits that vitamin D delivers. Take a look at this roundup of the latest research - there's something in it for you.
A cancer-free braai
Planning a get-together for National Braai Day (24 September)? Here are a few ways to limit the cancer-causing substances in your braai meat.
10 secrets of 100% healthy people
Leading nutritionist Patrick Holford makes being healthy seem so simple and attainable. Health24 reveals some secrets from his book The 10 Secrets of 100% healthy people.
Is it safe to eat raw eggs?
Mayonnaise, Caesar salad, chocolate mousse – some of our best loved recipes call for uncooked eggs. But, with its susceptibility to bacteria, is it wise to eat raw eggs?
How smooth is your margarine?
Have you checked your brand of margarine lately? Do you know its percentage of trans fats and whether it's actually good for you?
Dieting the scientific way
Another day, another attempt to lose weight? Hmm... sounds like it's time to ditch that old diet and try these top new fat-shifting tips instead.
DietDoc has the answers
Diet is not just about weight loss - a properly balanced diet is vital for managing conditions, ensuring good sleep and even keeping you young. Here to advise you: DietDoc.
Fuel your body for the Comrades
Fuelling your body with appropriate nutrients before, during and after endurance events like the Comrades Marathon is critical for optimal performance. Here's some expert advice.
Confusion about sweeteners
A recent research poll has found that British consumers are confused about low kilojoule sweeteners and whether they are safe and beneficial for weight loss.
5 sugar myths
Many people think sugar is fattening, rots the teeth and makes kids hyperactive. Howver scientific studies contradict theses myths.
Are you really hungry?
The next time you want to put food into your mouth, ask yourself: are you really hungry? Believe it or not, recognising real hunger pangs can be harder than it seems.
5 nutrients you need right now
Many women tend to be deficient in nutrients that play key roles in our health. Learn more about five important vitamins and minerals and how to get more of them in your diet.
Understanding Omega-3 and Omega-6
Omega-3 and omega-6 are essential for optimum health because they cannot be manufactured by the body and must therefore be provided through diet.
Salt: the slow, silent killer
Did you know that South Africans eat almost double the recommended daily intake of salt, and men are even worse offenders by eating over 2g more salt a day than women?
The horrible truth about pizza
A new survey has revealed excessively high sodium levels in many pizzas around the world, with the top offender containing over twice the amount of sodium found in seawater.
13 food superstitions
Ever wondered why you throw salt over your shoulder or why you should never eat the last piece of cake? Here's a look at 13 food superstitions.
Vitamins and minerals
To eat a balanced diet is not always easy. We are bombarded with so much information about what and how much we should eat,
SA declares war on trans fats
South Africans' health is set to improve when new legislation kicks in on 17 August 2011 to limit artery-clogging artificial trans fats to no more than 2% in all food products.
VitaminWater: the truth
Coca Cola's VitaminWater is being marketed as a healthy, hydrating, and rejuvenating drink. However, it appears to be nothing more than sugar water. Have you been fooled?
Eating according to your body type
Nutrition is not as complex as you may think. It’s all about eating what’s right for your body type, writes exercise specialist, Ariel Navarro.
Five foods that could kill you
An actor died after eating pufferfish and a girl with a peanut allergy didn't survive the kiss of a boyfriend. Find out which foods you should avoid if you want to stay alive.
Snack tax to combat obesity?
The revenues collected by taxing luxury foods could be put to good use to fund obesity research and educate the general public about healthy eating habits.
Fatal canteen food
Do companies and employers have a responsibility not only to supply their staff with food, but to make sure that the food that is for sale is nutritious and well-balanced?
Big bums and micro-fat surgery
If you watched “Bootylicious” on TV, you are probably contemplating micro-fat surgery to have your buttocks enlarged. Here's why you shouldn't jump on the bandwagon too soon.
Obesity - staggering statistics
Nearly 50% of adults in the developed world suffer from overweight or outright obesity and South Africa is on par with countries such as the USA and the UK, research shows.
Beetroot, garlic, onions and Aids
The Department of Health promotes the use of beetroot, garlic, virgin olive oil, onions and herbal cures in the treatment of HIV/Aids. But how safe and effective is this really?
Diet and gallbladder disease
Is gallbladder surgery on the cards? Note that there are certain dietary adjustments that should be taken into consideration.
Coconut meat, milk: healthy or not?
Far Eastern cooking is becoming more and more popular in western countries, leading to an increased interest in cooking with coconut products. Is this a good or a bad thing?
10 interesting sugar facts
Sweet tooth? Here are a few things you didn't know about sugar.
Eggs – healthy or not?
The "no-cholesterol" craze of the 90s gave eggs a bad name. But are eggs really so unhealthy? Or should this food form part of a balanced diet?
No Diet Day
Today, on International No Diet Day, you should take time off from whatever crazy diet plan you are following and instead listen to your body's unique hunger and satiety needs.
Iron overload: are you at risk?
Iron overload, or hereditary haemochromatosis, is more common than was previously believed. And it can be very risky. Read DietDoc's comments - and check if you have symptoms.
Food then and now
One often hears that the modern Western diet is unhealthy and that people's eating habits have changed in the last couple of decades. Many things get added to our foods.
Home-cooked meals come out tops
As manufacturers inch closer to the holy grail of low-calorie, trans-fat free, flavoursome foods, one has to ask how we veered so far from the common sense of home-cooked meals.
Survivor SA: balanced diet best
The Survivor SA series probably illustrates the most fundamental diet truth of all: human beings have evolved to eat a varied, and balanced diet. Read DietDoc's comments.
Fight disease with functional foods
You've heard of probiotics, antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids. But have you heard of "functional foods"? In essence, they form part of the same concept.
7 good reasons to switch to ostrich
Ostrich meat has become part of a balanced diet and allows the meat lover the pleasure of a great steak or fillet in the full knowledge that it is, in fact, a healthy choice.
Antioxidants under fire
A controversial new review shows that some antioxidant supplements that people take to prevent or treat disease might actually increase their risk of death. Should you be worried?
On the menu for 2010
In 2010, as we all know, the world is going to descend on South Africa for Soccer World Cup. What we want to know is: who is going to feed the world? And what does the world eat?
Eat Mediterranean, live longer
Here's the good news: if you start emulating the lifestyle of the Mediterranean world now, you'll attain newfound health. And there's a book on the market to help you get there.
Chinese product scares: a timeline
International anxiety about the quality of Chinese food products has hit the red-alert button. Here is a timeline of the recent food-safety scares.
Dieticians to the rescue
Sure, dieticians can help one to lose weight, but this isn't their sole purpose. Should you be consulting one?
The sweet debate
Honey, sugar or artificial sweeteners: which is best? Two experts make sense of all the research.
Great foods for under R15
Feeling the financial crunch? Fortunately, there are many seriously good-for-you foods you can get for under R15.
The power of 'no'
Android, one of our health bloggers, has not just learnt to say 'no' to empty calories, but also to people who are pushing their luck.
Blog buffet
What do the Slow Food Movement, Lamb Burger and courage have to do with each other? Read Magiric's blog to find out.
The food industry is on your side
The economic downturn hasn't stopped food manufacturers from being innovative. Here are four trends to get excited about - our hearts and waistlines can benefit.
Can magic porridge save the world?
Another super-supplemented maize meal has been introduced to the SA market. The hope is that it could fill a nutrient gap among the less privileged. But will it? DietDoc doubts it.
To B12 or not B12?
Celebrities swear by the energising effect of the vitamin B12 injection. A doctor examines the facts.
Start measuring your health
KykNET has launched a brand new health and beauty show called Maatband - a weekly programme that is jam-packed with all the latest news on staying young, fit and healthy.
Healthy eating on a tight budget
Do you have an empty purse and an empty stomach? Here are a few easy tips to save rands on your food purchases and stay healthy.
Supplement and vitamin FAQs
With so many supplements, vitamin and mineral products on the market, how do you know which ones to take, and when?
Supremely misleading
A company has been banned from using the name "Supreme Slim" for one of its products, after a consumer activist complained there was no evidence that it had any slimming effect.
Losing weight Jennifer's way
US star Jennifer Hudson is shooting a new movie in South Africa and her fabulous new figure is turning heads everywhere. Health24 discovered the secrets to her weight loss.
Anyone for a 5-cent lunch?
Cape Town feeding charity The Service Dining Rooms is celebrating its 75th birthday. Though the need for meals has grown to 800 a day, it still charges only 5 cents per meal.
Have a cancer-free braai
Planning a get-together for National Braai Day (24 September)? Here are a few ways to limit the cancer-causing substances in your braai meat.
Live longer by eating healthier
It is World Food Day on 16 October. Did you know that by changing what you put onto your plate you could add years to your life?
Eggs are good for you
Everything you thought you knew about eggs is wrong: eggs don't raise cholesterol and they don't cause heart disease. Here's why you should include eggs in your diet.
Junkie food
There is compelling evidence that foods high in sugar, fat and salt can alter your brain chemistry in the same way as highly addictive drugs such as cocaine and heroin.
Kauai: 15 years of healthy food
Ever heard of healthy fast food? Fifteen years ago Kauai came to the rescue of South Africans, offering guilt-free fast foods crammed with nutrients and bursting with flavour.
Sweet guilt-free seduction
Do you have a sweet tooth? Are you trying your very best to follow a balanced healthy diet, but your craving for cakes and sweets keeps sabotaging your good intentions?
11 tips for the 2011 elections
Tired of hearing how your vote will make a difference? Too many candidates and too many promises? Love your South Africa and love your heart with our election day survival guide.
Still confused about fats?
Certain types of fat can cause problems in the diet, while others are beneficial to health. In this article, DietDoc clears up a few common misconceptions.
ADVERTORIAL: indulge yourself
Indulge yourself with a sensuous adventure into the world of wellness at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.
Food: key to health
The means to improve your health could be in your kitchen cupboards, fridge and freezer - find out how.
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