Lee McCusker

Lee McCusker (BA; MSc; MSc; MSc; ANutr; SENr) is a registered public health nutritionist (ANutr) and sports and exercise nutritionist (SENr) from Belfast. He runs his own private nutrition practice in West Belfast where he works with the general public as well as athletes. Lee is our nutrition columnist and is a nutrition lecturer on HND programmes in Belfast Met College. Lee has robust academia behind him with a total of four University Degrees including two MSc’s in Food and Nutrition and Sports and Exercise Nutrition through Ulster University.

Latest Stories

HEALTHWISE: Watch your Christmas units as you raise a glass

IF you drink alcohol at high levels or dependently then – apart from the many other issues – you may be at risk of becoming deficient in some of the essential nutrients and vitamins your body needs to function appropriately.

HEALTHWISE: Diet is a vital component in your skin regime

EATING a diverse and balanced diet is very important for skin health. A diet that is rich in vitamins (A, B2, B3, B6, C, D and E) and minerals (zinc and selenium) is key for skin health.

HEALTHWISE: Why your should detox yourself of detox diets

DETOX is a popular word in the health and wellness world. It refers to the idea that from time to time we need to clear toxic waste from our bodies to stay healthy.

HEALTHWISE: Obey the traffic lights in the supermarket aisle

NUTRITIONAL labels give you the information you need to understand which products are the healthiest. By checking the label each time you buy something, you will take more control of your shopping and eating habits.

HEALTHWISE: Time to change diet: The worst foods for our guts

WE know that eating lots of fruit, vegetables and fermented foods are good for our gut, but what foods should we avoid for optimal gut health?

HEALTHWISE: Beware wild claims about your immune system

EVERYONE seems fascinated by the connection between our lifestyle choices and our health.

HEALTHWISE: What’s in your diet is more important than its name

THERE is no single gold standard when comparing a mixed diet of moderate animal foods (meat, dairy, eggs, fish) and plant foods (bread, rice, pasta, fruit and veg) with a fully vegan diet (plant foods only).

HEALTHWISE: Sugar's not as bad as it's painted – but you should still go easy

THE cells of our bodies use sugar (glucose) for energy. This has led to the idea that cancer cells grow faster than usual with sugar feeding them.

HEALTHWISE: Why you should prioritise your future health

IT’S easy to live for today and have a short-term mindset when it comes to health.

HEALTHWISE: Design your menu to battle winter colds and flu

IT’S that time of year again (October-March) where we become more exposed to colds and flus.

HEALTHWISE: Try to keep the brown down when you’re cooking

DO you like your chips, fries, potatoes or bread to be brown when you’re baking, toasting, roasting or frying?

HEALTHWISE: Low-calorie diets will put you at risk of disease

LOW-calorie diets are favoured by some, but you need to know the truth about them.A low-calorie diet (LCD) is between 800 to 1200 calories per day and a very low-calorie diet (VLCD) is between 400 to 800 calories per day. Bottom line: these are to be avoided, end of story.

HEALTHWISE: A dash of caution with your salt is a good idea

THE DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) is highly effective for managing high blood pressure (hypertension) and/or preventing it.

HEALTHWISE: Always keep an eye on what’s in those snacks

ARE your snacks a positive and nutritious part of your diet, or are they adding unnecessary fat, sugar and salt?

HEALTHWISE: Diet is key to young learning as schools return

WHAT children eat can affect their mood, behaviour and even learning in school. A regular eating pattern with diversity of food groups is key. Eating regular meals helps to regulate our blood sugar which controls our mood and ability to concentrate. Children that don’t eat regular meals or, say for example, skip breakfast, will find it harder to concentrate in school.

BOXING: McComb TKO seals victory

Gaelic Games: Antrim announce county football and hurling league fixtures for 2026

Soccer: Round Two of the McReynold's Cup as DC and Swifts clinch big victories

Gaelic Games: St John's boss reflects on defining year for St John's hurling

ANDRÉE MURPHY: While Kenova has value, it remains window-dressing at its core

OPINION: BBC spends more money libelling Gerry Adams than supporting Irish language broadcasting

DÚLRA: Dúlra will have to be patient for that Bí Gaelach

HEALTHWISE: Diet is a vital component in your skin regime

Lee McCusker

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