Junk food in pregnancy and mental disorders in Children?

Research, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, looked at data on mothers' diets during pregnancy from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort study.


This study consists of data from over 23,000 mothers – and also looked at their children's diets at both 18 months and 3 years of age.
The researchers from Deakin University in Australia, alongside the researchers from Norway, analysed this data to look at the effects of specific dietary intakes and their potential effects.

They concluded that mothers who eat ‘junk food’ – like sweetened drinks, salty foods and refined cereals - while pregnant are more likely to have children with mental health problems (e.g. aggression and tantrums).

Lead researcher, Felice Jacka explained;
"It is becoming even more clear that diet matters to mental health right across the age spectrum.
“These new findings suggest that unhealthy and 'junk' foods may have an impact on the risk for mental health problems in children, and they add to the growing body of evidence on the impact of unhealthy diets on the risk for depression, anxiety and even dementia.

"The changes to our food systems, including the shift to more high-energy, low nutrition foods developed and marketed by the processed food industry, have led to a massive increase in obesity-related illnesses right across the globe." 
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/265039.php

Coconut water: Nature's sports drink?

By Bronwyn Ward

There is a lot of hype around this ‘super hydrating’ beverage. It has sponsors from Hollywood and claims to be nature’s alternative to sports drinks.

Coconut water is found in the cavity of the fresh coconut and is not like the full fat coconut milk or oil. It boasts five key electrolytes: calcium, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium. Making it ideal for re-hydration and restoring essential salts after exercise.  It does have a distinct taste and not everyone likes it. It can however be very refreshing and a pleasant change from water or sugary sports drinks.

There are many claims and counterclaims to the effectiveness of this drink. Recent research shows that it can out-perform both water and energy drinks for hydration over short bouts of activity. It also proved more tolerable meaning it was less likely to cause stomach upsets and nausea after exercise.

However, the low sugar content of this drink does mean that for longer periods of exercise (cycling, marathon running) it does not provide enough carbohydrate to keep you on form. Also the sodium content proved  insufficient for those who excessively sweat during long bouts of exercise.

So what to do? If you are worried about what’s in your sports drink than this does seem a good natural alternative. Be sure for long bouts of activity though to have something with you to eat such as salty nuts or a cheese sandwich (often favoured by Tour De France riders). With the jury still out on coconut water, but some positive research behind it, why not try and see if it’s for you?

BBQ Corn Cobs

By Bronwyn Ward

A great treat at summer parties and BBQs. Easy to prepare and take along as a veggie offering. Sweet corn is high in digestion-friendly fibre and provides around 10% of your daily folate, thiamine, phosphorus, vitamin C and magnesium requirements.


In a large freezer bag put:

1-2 Tbsp melted butter

1-2 Tbsp sweet chilli sauce

Pinch of sea salt

4 Corn cobs

Tie up bag and mix everything around in marinade. Keep in the fridge until ready to cook on BBQ grill or griddle pan at home.

Turmeric Spice Rub

By Bronwyn ward

A treat for the taste buds this week using the joint-loving spice turmeric as featured in our previous blog. To enhance the effects, try having a pudding of fresh pineapple marinated in coconut sugar and finely chopped fresh mint with some Greek yogurt. Pineapple contains an enzyme called Bromelain which is a powerful anti-inflammatory. Enjoy!

Make your belly happy by adding a little of the rub to meat, fish or tofu

6 Tablespoons curry powder
3 Tablespoons coarse sea salt
4 Tablespoons crushed chillies
1 Tablespoon ground cumin
1 Tablespoon ground coriander
1 Tablespoon dried mint
2 teaspoons turmeric
2 teaspoons ground ginger

Mix ingredients together and store in an airtight container out of direct sunlight for up to 6 months.