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.
WE need a small amount of fat as part of a healthy balanced diet. Fats provide energy and help absorb vitamins (A, D, E and K), with Omega 6 helping with skin health.
AS a registered nutritionist I see new products regularly on supermarket shelves and it's good to give a commentary on these so people can make informed decisions so they aren’t being taken on.
YOU may only think of pumpkin at Halloween once a year as a festive decoration or the ingredient for the perfect pie. But pumpkin has other important nutritional uses.
A GOOD diet is important for good health. Eating a variety of foods can improve general wellbeing, reduce the risk of conditions including heart disease, stroke, some cancers, diabetes and osteoporosis (thin bones) and help you manage your weight.
IT’S that time of year again when coughs and sneezes spread diseases, so try and keep yourself healthy.
FIBRE is essential for the healthy functioning of our bodies in order to keep us healthy. Recommendations are 30 grams per day which can be achieved through three good portions of starch (bread, rice, pasta, noodles, couscous, oats, potatoes, shredded wheat or bran cereals etc) per day.
JUICES and smoothies are a popular choice for a speedy breakfast or a nourishing snack, but are they too high in sugar?
CALCIUM is a mineral that is very important at all ages for strong bones and teeth. It is also needed for healthy muscle and nerve function. Adults from nineteen years (male and female) right through to older age population need around 700mg per day of calcium. It’s advised to have three good portions of dairy per day to achieve this.
YOU might never have heard of strained yoghurt. And so you might not know how to distinguish it from other types of yoghurt and what its nutritional value of is vs. regular yoghurt.
BREAD has been a staple of our diet since ancient times. Today, bread is sometimes demonised as a carbohydrate source that makes people put on weight and is often the first thing thrown out by dieters.
WHEN vegetables are cooked in certain conditions this can have an impact on nutritional quality of the final product. This is true of the B and C group vitamins which can be reduced or destroyed.
VITAMIN D plays a role in maintaining normal bones and teeth by helping absorb calcium.
THERE are so many health benefits of eating more fruit and veg daily. As well as tasting great, fruit and veg are packed with essential vitamins, minerals, fibre and antioxidant chemicals that are vital for good health.
VITAMIN C has many important functions in our bodies, from protecting and keeping cells healthy, maintaining healthy skin, blood vessels, bones and cartilage, wound healing and the normal functioning of our immune systems.
MOST people where we live eat too much saturated fat, salt and sugar and should reduce the amount they consume. Examples of these foods include chocolate, confectionery, cakes, biscuits, puddings, pastries, jams, honey, syrups, butter, lard, ghee, savoury snacks, cream and ice cream, fried foods, sugar sweetened beverages, rich sauces and gravies as well as condiments such as mayonnaise and soy sauce.