A Mediterranean-style diet may be the answer in protecting against diabetes, even for those who are in the higher-risk category.

The diet – rich in olive oil, fruit, vegetables and fish and low in meat and dairy products – provides “substantial protection” against the illness, a study has revealed.

Eating such meals helps keep people healthy and wards off type 2 diabetes, which is linked to lifestyle factors like diet and obesity.
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Need to fit into that little black number or your new sexy bikini? Certain foods can help you on the road to a healthier weight. While these nutritious foods should form part of your diet anyway, this list might just give you a little more reason to put them in your shopping trolley.

Just remember that there are many other factors that contribute to a healthy weight. Diet, and certain foods that could play a role in terms of weight loss, will do little if you’re still inactive or if the rest of your diet consists of high-fat, calorie-dense foods. Like all things in life, it’s about balance.

Also take note of the fact that some of the research results listed below need to be confirmed by further studies and that firm conclusions can’t be made as yet:

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Trying to lose weight or wanting to follow a healthier lifestyle? Then snacking is the way to go.Let no more than three hours pass between meals or snacks. This way, you’ll ensure a constant supply of glucose to your body’s cells. More energy and less cravings for sugary and fatty foods will be the positive spin-off.

A few healthy snack ideas include:

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We all know that chocolates, cakes and cookies are loaded with kilojoules. But what about your other favourite foods? Could hidden fats be lurking in them too?

If you’re trying to get your body in shape for the beach, it might be a good idea to take a peek at this list of the top 10 foods with hidden fat – and cut down on them:

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Wholegrain cereal is best, but anything is better than an empty stomach
Body-conscious teenagers may believe cutting out breakfast will help them lose weight, but the opposite appears to be the case, US research suggests.

In a five year study of more than 2,000 youngsters, those who skipped breakfast were found to weigh about 5lbs (2.3kg) more than those who ate first thing.

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If you’re looking for a quick and easy lunch, it’s hard to beat the convenience of sliced deli meats – a.k.a. luncheon meats or cold cuts – for building a sandwich.

Yet, your ham and cheese on brown may not be as healthy as you think. Since the World Cancer Research Fund recommended last fall that people lay off processed meat, I’ve had clients wonder whether they should trade in their pastrami for tuna.

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Canadians like to snack. According to a recent Ipsos Reid survey, 84 per cent of us are regular snackers.

That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Noshing between meals boosts lagging energy levels, quells hunger and food cravings, and provides nutrients missing from meals. A small snack of fruit, nuts, yogurt or an energy bar will help tide you over until the next meal.

If you forget to tuck an apple or granola bar in your bag, there’s always a coffee shop, pizza place or juice bar to get something to go.

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Sensible eating and exercise go hand in hand when it comes to shaping our bodies.Needless to say, whilst exercise forms a crucial part of shaping up and becoming and staying healthy, your eating habits cannot be ignored.

The aim of this article is to encourage you to eat a low fat diet as a means of assisting the “shaping up process”, as well as to provide you with some practical tips as to dietary choices you should make.

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South Africa is in the grip of winter and most areas of the country are experiencing freezing temperatures. This inclement weather has prompted dietician Dr Ingrid van Heerden to have a look at what we eat in winter and how this can affect our weight and health.

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Researchers presented a conundrum to new mothers on Monday, saying that women who want to lose the extra weight gained in pregnancy should try to get more sleep.

They found that mothers who slept five hours or less a day when their babies were six months old were three times more likely than more rested mothers to have kept on the extra weight at one year.

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