Food for Health

What is fructose mal-absorption?

2010-06-16T18:29:00.000-07:00

So what is a fructose? It is a sugar found naturally in certain foods like wheat, honey, onions, and apples; just to name a few.

So therefore Fructose mal-absorption is a digestive disorder in which sufferers are lacking the appropriate, let’s call them "fructose taxis". These little guys are responsible for moving fructose through our intestines and when they are “on strike”, fructose concentration increases causing inflammation and deterioration.

Symptoms of Fructose mal-absorption are not that dissimilar to IBS (irritable bowel syndrome); bloating, intermittent constipation and diarrhoea, nausea, cramps and stomach pain.
Diagnosis of Fructose mal-absorption can be done via a test called "hydrogen breath test". The general outcome of the test is to locate unabsorbed fructose in the intestinal tract. The procedure for the breath test in simple steps is: blow into the breathalyser device (just like being tested for blood alcohol reading by police), after that first reading, you drink a high sugar drink and about 15 minutes after consumption you do another breath test to see if your reading has changed. You do this same procedure for a couple of hours.

If your practitioner finds a change in your reading, they will advise you to avoid certain foods to decrease symptoms and hopefully to make you feel on top of the world again!

Foods to avoid:

Apple 
Pear 
Mango 
Watermelons 
Prunes 
Figs 
All Dried Fruit (dried fruit has higher sugars than fresh fruit) 
Honey 
Any fruit based products including drinks
Coconut products
Wheat products including pasta, bread, biscuits and sauces.

The Gluten Free diet

2010-04-19T16:45:00.000-07:00

The hard part about having Coeliac disease is knowing what you can and cannot eat. Reading the labels at the supermarket can be a big chore and sometimes the labels do not tell all. Eating out can be a HUGE problem since sauces are sometimes filled with gluten and you don’t know.

Here is a list of foods to avoid if you have Coeliac disease:

Prepared meals 
Breads 
Oats 
Wheat  
Barley  
Rye 
Soya sauce 
Tomato sauce
 Cereals (unless labelled gluten free) 
Flour (unless labelled gluten free)
 Cake mixes and fresh cakes/slices 
Pizza bases
 Pastas 
Packet sauces 
Wheat biscuits 
Chocolates
 Malt 
Custard powder 
Crumpets and muffins

Foods to include:

Food for Health Gluten Free Muesli and Muesli Bars (sorry couldn’t help myself!)
 Flours: besan, buckwheat, brown rice flour, quinoa flour, soy flour. 
Grains: sorghum, rice, millet, popcorn, amaranth. 
All fruits and vegetables
 Gluten free bread (Bodhi’s Bakehouse, Country Life) 
Pulses, legumes and corn
 Gluten free soya milk  
Rice noodles

The Gluten Free diet dilemma; what is it? And how do you know if it is it?

2010-04-15T18:03:00.000-07:00

I will take a guess, but I bet you know someone, or know someone who knows someone that has Coeliac disease? It affects 1 in 100 people in Australia… so maybe I am presuming you have 100 friends! Lucky you, I certainly don’t! But I do know people with Coeliac disease.

 So what is it? Coeliac disease is a medically diagnosed condition of an intolerance to gluten, which is a protein found in certain grains. These grains are: oats, wheat, barley, rye and triticale.

 If someone has gluten intolerance and consumes gluten, the initial reaction is the inflammation of the gastro intestinal tract. The small intestinal lining called villi become inflamed causes all sorts of issues. Common symptoms are bloating, flatulence, severe abdominal pain and nausea. Some sufferers can even experience intermittent constipation and diarrohea, so all in all it is not a great thing to have, but luckily there are a lot more gluten free options available now.

 If you have experienced any of the above symptoms you may or may not have Coeliac disease and there are a couple of ways to detect it. You can have a blood test that tests for IgA activity, but this is often not accurate. The best diagnostic procedure is a bowel biopsy. Small samples of the lining of the bowel (villi) are taken and investigated. If history of flattening of the lining, then it confirms Coeliac disease.

Favourite Product Competition

2010-03-04T17:57:00.000-08:00

How would you like to win a Recipes+ magazine subscription for a year? There'd be no more racking your brain thinking of what to cook for dinner each night because you could consult the latest edition of Recipes+ delivered to your doorstep.

All you have to do to win, is tell us what your favourite Food For Health product is, and why it's your favourite.

Is it the Liver Cleansing Muesli? Or maybe you love the Gluten Free Fruit Free Bar?

Whatever your favourite product is, we want to hear about it!

Enter via the Contests tab on our Facebook fan page or use this entry form.

Good luck!

Foods to eat on a detox

2010-02-14T16:37:00.000-08:00

When on a detox it can be confronting as to what foods to eat and what foods to avoid, so I have compiled a list to help you out when shopping for your detox foods.

Always keep in mind that anything that is packaged is generally a no go while on a detox.

Raw fruit and vegies are the staple on a detox. You can eat anything and as much as you like.

Grains are another important food to eat while on a detox: include grains such as: brown rice, oats, quinoa, amaranth, millet, buckwheat (you can get pastas that are made from these grains).

Nuts & seeds are a great snacking option when on a detox diet. Include the following: Raw almonds, raw cashews, pumpkin seeds, flaxseeds, sunflowers seeds and walnuts.

Protein is important in maintaining complete nutrition on a detox diet, you need to make sure you consume enough and the right kind of protein. Try free-range eggs, salmon, chickpeas, and tofu.

It is best to stay away from bread while you a detoxing, but if you must have a sandwich, you must use wheat free & yeast free bread. This also goes for cereals. Look for wheat free, fruit free cereal with no added sugar: “The Liver Cleansing Muesli” or “The Fibre Cleanse Muesli” would be ideal.

Drinking choices are important on a detox. No dairy must be drunk at all while detoxing and definitely no coffee or alcohol! The only drinks you can consume are water (and plenty of it), herbal teas and almond or soy milk.

New Year’s resolution: DETOX!

2010-02-14T16:36:00.000-08:00

It’s true, every year after the festive season (or should we say the overindulgent season) most of us say to ourselves “my new year’s resolution is to lose weight”… Well the best and most effective way is to start with a detox. And because even the most saintly of us consume more than the normal monthly quota of champagne in the lead up to Christmas, we are best to focus on a liver detox.

Detoxing and your liver

Our liver plays a significant role in the elimination and detoxification of our bodies. It plays many vital functions including metabolism support, cholesterol balance, fat metabolism and glucose breakdown. It plays such an important role in our health and natural detoxing process, but most of us neglect this and do not have a healthy liver.

The liver works as our natural filter that eliminates the toxins we build up with our busy lifestyles and convenient foods we consume. It also maintains the health of other vital organs. Therefore after Christmas is the perfect time to do a liver detox!

What to eat during a liver detox

During a liver detox, you are not allowed to consume processed foods such as sugary foods, white breads & pastries, coffee, alcohol, saturated fats and red meat (basically anything that is pre-packaged you have to stay away from while on a detox). You must drink at least two litres of water each day while you are on a liver detox. First thing in the morning, try to drink a glass of warm water with lemon juice. This is a great way to start your natural detox process by increasing enzyme activity.

You can also take liver supplements while on a liver detox. Some great herbs are Milk thistle, dandelion (which you can drink each day as a tea), Gentian and the amino acid Taurine. Taurine will help with fat metabolism and liver cell regeneration.

Remember while on the detox to eat as many highly nutritious foods like, green leafy vegies, berries for their antioxidant content and also seeds for their omega 3 source.

The best time frame to do a simple liver detox is one week. You will feel and notice a big change in your body, and you will definitely lose weight, but you must remember that a liver detox is the start of a lifestyle change. If weight loss is your biggest issue, remember in the long term you have to support your body’s natural detox process with a healthy diet and an “everything in moderation” attitude!

Why detox?

2010-02-14T16:24:00.000-08:00

With our busy lives and the love of convenient foods, it does not take long for toxins to build up in our system. Our body’s natural detox mechanism requires a lot of energy and good health to support. If you feel sluggish and tired regularly, this maybe because you are not supporting your natural body’s detoxing process with a healthy diet.

 Every now and then a body detox will benefit your overall health. A detox does not have to be hard (or like a fast where you eat no solids). It can be just as simple as changing the foods we eat! This will help our body’s natural detox process.

You can do a detox for as little as a couple of days or up to weeks, depending on the level of your health and fitness.

Health benefits of detoxing

Diet is not the only reason to detox. People that suffer with allergens need to detox their lifestyle and surroundings by eliminating toxins such as washing powders, plastics, paints, chemical filled moistures and drugs.

 However, generally people detox because they want to lose weight, although other symptoms like fatigue, bloating, constipation, insomnia, and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) are other good reasons to undertake a detox.

 Detoxing serves as a preventive health measure to help decrease the excess “garbage” in your body. Detoxing essentially helps to cleanse the colon, lymph glands, lungs, kidneys, liver and skin… All of which are our body’s natural detoxes, but from time to time need a little help!  
And trust me, you will feel much better after a detox!

Donating muesli to Cottage By The Sea

2010-01-21T16:03:00.000-08:00

Cottage By The Sea is located in Queenscliff in Victoria and has a proud history of helping children in need since 1890.

The cottage provides over 1000 needy children annually with holidays. The cottage cares for diverse groups of children with family difficulties including domestic violence, sudden death or departure of parent, foster care children and cultural difficulties.

The facility is not government funded and is run only by donations and fund raising.

Food For Health is proud to be affiliated with Cottage By The Sea. We donated muesli to feed all children visiting throughout 2010 and will continue to give support in the years to come.

Award winning Gluten Free Bars

2010-01-11T20:10:00.000-08:00

We always knew our Gluten Free Bars were winners, but now Australia knows it too!

The Gluten Free Bar took out first place in "Gluten Free Sweet Snack Award" category in the Healthy Food Awards 2010. It beat many other fantastic products to win first place.

So next time you take a bite of our Gluten Free Bars, see if you can taste that winning feeling!

Cranberries

2009-11-04T19:07:00.000-08:00

Cranberries are a fruit native to North America. Not only are they a delicious addition to many meals, they are blessed with numerous health benefits.

URINARY HEALTH
Cranberries are well known for preventing Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), which affect 1 in 2 women and 1 in 20 men in their lifetime. This is beacuse cranberries naturally contain proanthocyanidins (PACS), which are essential in preventing bacteria from attaching to the lining of the bladder.

DENTAL HEALTH
The same properties that are involved in preventing UTIs help reduce bacteria forming in the mouth. This can stop plaque formation, which leads to gum disease and tooth loss.

ANTIOXIDANTS
Cranberries are high in antioxidants, which help protect cells from the effects of free radicals in the body. Free radicals are produced by the human body, but can start reactions that lead to cell damage.
Antioxidants have been shown to reduce the risk of cancer due to their effects on free radicals. This, along with their anti-inflammatory properties, also make cranberries effective in reducing the heart disease and stroke.

Increase your intake of cranberries in your diet with Food For Health's Gluten Free Bar with Fruit. The Gluten Free Bar with Fruit is packed full of yummy fruit, including apples, currants and cranberries; all sulphur free of course! They also have heaps of whole grains like amaranth and brown rice, so you always feel healthy and full of life when you eat one! Enjoy!

About Fibre

2009-10-04T17:12:00.000-07:00

WHAT IS FIBRE?

Fibre is a carbohydrate that is made up of the parts of plants that cannot be digested by the stomach.

WHY DO WE NEED FIBRE IN OUR DIETS?

Fibre is essential in maintaining a healthy and active digestive system, as well as helping to lower blood cholesterol and blood sugar levels. A diet high in fibre can also significant lower your risk of developing diseases such as bowel and colon cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and disorders such as constipation and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

WHICH FOODS ARE HIGH IN FIBRE?

Examples of foods which are high in fibre content are:

Breakfast cereals with barley, wheat or oats
Wholemeal and multigrain bread
Legumes & lentils
Green leafy vegetables
Fruits, such as strawberries, raspberries, pears, and apples

To help increase your daily intake of fibre, why not try Food For Health's Fibre Cleanse Muesli? The Fibre Cleanse Muesli contains a great mix of psyllium, oat bran & rice bran too help keep your bowels regular! It has linseeds & linseed meal to increase your essential fatty acid intake; also lecithin is thrown in too help with digestive support. An extra dose of magnesium & slippery elm are also added to help with bowel function. Great tasting cinnamon is in there to for that extra zing to get you going in the morning.

Wheat Free

2009-08-30T20:07:00.000-07:00

WHY FOLLOW A WHEAT FREE DIET?

There are a number of reasons for choosing a wheat free diet, the most common being due to a wheat intolerance or wheat allergy. This is slightly different to a Coeliac diet which requires avoiding all gluten, not just wheat and wheat flour.

ABOUT WHEAT ALLERGY

Food allergies cause the body to create an antibody against a particular food element (e.g. wheat protein). While wheat allergy is most commonly found in children, most will grow out of it.

SYMPTOMS OF WHEAT ALLERGY

Most wheat allergies are mild, with symptoms including itchiness, eczema, and cold/flu symptoms. However, in more extreme cases, this can extend further to swelling in the mouth and cramps, and in the most severe cases, anaphylaxis.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE A WHEAT ALLERGY?

A doctor can confirm if you have a wheat allergy through a basic skin prick test, and depending on the severity of the allergy, you may still be able to eat a small amount of wheat. Always be sure to consult your doctor or healthcare professional for advice.

If you have any kind of wheat sensitivity, why not try The Wheat Free Muesli by Food For Health? The Wheat Free Muesli is a scrumptious muesli full of all things good for you. It contains immune boosting pumpkin seeds, vitamin filled fruit & energy high oats. Sunflower seeds & linseeds are added as well to help increase the fibre content. Almonds & hazelnuts are included too; not just because they are good for you but cause they taste great! All this & it’s still wheat & yeast free.

About Liver Cleansing

2009-08-02T20:59:00.000-07:00

WHAT DOES THE LIVER DO?

The liver is essential for the body to eliminate toxins (i.e. alcohol), break down dietary fats, and assisting the body to absorb fat-soluble vitamins. The liver is also responsible for converting the carbohydrates that we eat into the glucose that our body needs for energy.

WHY CLEANSE YOUR LIVER?

Cleansing your liver can help to reduce issues such as headaches, weakness, fatigue, allergies, food sensitivities and poor concentration.

WHAT FOODS TO AVOID

When detoxing or cleansing your liver it is wise to avoid foods that are high in fat, carbohydrates, cholesterol and sugar, as well as avoiding alcohol. These include such foods as pasta, bread, processed foods (i.e. chips, ready-made meals etc.), lollies, soft drink etc.

WHAT FOODS TO EAT

Along with drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated, it is recommended that you eat fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as other fibre sources such as beans, nuts, and legumes. If you don't think you can live without a delicious bowl of pasta, consider trying brown or wholemeal pasta or rice instead of white grains.

To make cleansing you liver that bit easier, Food For Health have created The Liver Cleansing Muesli. The Liver Cleansing Muesli is a delicious mix or all things good for your liver & digestive system. You have lecithin which is a source of amino acids; choline & inositol and also added amino; taurine; which altogether help cleanse the liver & metabolise fat. Fibre high psyllium & essential fatty acid source; LSA (linseeds, sunflower seeds & almonds). Slippery elm and barley bran is also added to support digestive function.

About Gluten Free

2009-07-02T21:41:00.000-07:00

WHAT IS GLUTEN?

Gluten is a type of protein, which is most commonly found in rye, wheat and barley. When considering flour, gluten is what gives it its elasticity and strength.

WHY FOLLOW A GLUTEN FREE DIET.

The most common reason someone would follow a gluten-free diet is because they suffer from coeliac disease. Coeliac disease is autoimmune deficiency where there is an intestinal intolerance to gluten. Those who develop coeliac disease are already born with a genetic predisposition and common symptoms include:

Anaemia
Diarrhoea or constipation
Stomach cramps
Bloating and flatulence
Weight loss – although weight gain is possible
Fatigue and weakness

Very often coeliac disease can be confused with Irritable Bowel Symdrome (IBS), a wheat allergy or just a general food intolerance. Many people with these conditions also find obstaining from gluten helpful.
Many people do not suffer from any intenstinal condition but choose to remove gluten from their diet as a way to stop being bloated after meals, for certain types of eczema, or just to maintain healthy, normal bowel movements.

In today's society many shops and restaurants provide options that cater for a gluten-free diet. There are also many products available that help the transition to gluten-free that much easier. These include Food For Healths Gluten Free Muesli, Gluten Free Bar with Fruit, and Gluten Free Fruit Free Bar.

If you suspect that you may have coeliac disease you should consult your doctor.
A great resource for those with coeliac disease or those wanting more information about how to go gluten free is The Coeliac Society of Australia.

Coeliac Society of Australia Endorsement

2009-05-26T17:37:00.000-07:00

All gluten free products by Food For Health are endorsed by the Coeliac Society of Australia, including The Gluten Free Muesli, and our two new muesli bars - The Gluten Free Fruit Free Bar and The Gluten Free Bar with Fruit!

The Gluten Free Muesli is the perfect breakfast for both coeliacs and people following a wheat free diet. It contains sulphur free apricots, no artificial sweeteners, and no added sugar or salt.

The new muesli bars have been also been created with a gluten free diet in mind.
Visit the Products page for more information about these and all our other delicious health food products, or Stockists for information about our muesli stockists in each state.

About Food For Health

2009-05-26T17:30:00.000-07:00

At Food for Health, we believe breakfast is the most important meal of the day and vital in helping you get the most out of life. It’s this belief that inspired us to create a range of mueslis that don’t just taste great – they’re great for you!

Founder Narelle Marshall, graduated from the Southern School of Natural Therapies in 1999.
She found as a health food retailer, no supplier could provide her with wheat free mueslis that combined diet-specific needs and superior nutrition with uncompromising taste, so she created her own and Food for Health was born.

People’s awareness of food allergies is growing everyday, so the demand for high-quality products that meet their individual dietary requirements is growing along with it. This is where our passion lies, as Food for Health was created with these varying and sometimes complex needs in mind.

All our mueslis, including our new gluten free bars, are wheat, sulphur, dairy, yeast and cane sugar free. Our gluten free range contains no added chemical nasties, we only use sulphur free fruit, and all our products are peanut free and low in sodium.

Additionally, and of increasing importance, our ingredients are sourced locally where possible and are always of the highest quality.

We’re delighted at Food for Health to offer you a range of products that allows you to enjoy all the health benefits and dietary requirements they need without ever compromising on taste.