Ask the expert
DIETITIAN MELANIE MCGRICE EXPLAINS WHY IT’S BEST TO
TAKE MULTIVITAMINS WITH FOOD, THE PROS AND CONS
OF A KETO DIET AND THE BENEFITS OF CHICKPEA PASTA‘It’s wise to wash them down with a glass of water’
When is the best time
to take a multivitamin?
There’s a lot of debate over the best time of day to take
a multivitamin. Some academics suggest that it’s better
to take them at night as you’ll already be receiving plenty of
nutrition throughout the day. Others believe that it’s better to
take them in the morning as our digestion slows at night, and
our body is better able to absorb the nutrients during the day.
Although you don’t have to take them with food, it is a good
idea, as food helps to reduce any gastrointestinal upset caused
by the nutrients. It’s also wise to wash them down with a glass of
water, as the water will help to dissolve the casing of the tablet
or capsule and is helpful for the absorption of water soluble
nutrients such as B vitamins and vitamin C.Is chickpea pasta healthier
than wheat pasta?Chickpea pasta is becoming very
popular as it has less kilojoules,
double the fibre and more protein than
standard wheat-based pastas. It’s also
a good choice for people who need a
gluten-free option. But, wheat pasta is
good for us too. Wheat pasta has a low
glycemic index (GI), and is great
for our gut microbiome.
It’s like trying to choose
between a Prada or Gucci
handbag – they’re both
fabulous, just slightly
different.Does the drink kombucha
contain alcohol?Yes, most kombucha has
some alcohol in it because it’s
fermented. The amount of alcohol
varies due to the fermentation
process, but it usually
ranges between 0.5 to
three percent. To put that
in perspective, most
beers contain between
four to six percent, wines
contain around 12-16
percent and spirits
generally contain
approximately 28-45 percent
alcohol. Many of the brands that you
buy in the supermarket are classed as
a ‘non-alcoholic beverage’, but may
still contain up to 1.15 percent alcohol
(which meets the national standards of a
‘non-alcoholic beverage’). You will need
to do your research to find brands that
make alcohol-free kombucha.Should I do a keto diet?
Everyone is different, so we all have
different dietary requirements.Advantages of keto
» Rapid weight loss.
» Low in sugar, which
is great for teeth.
» Reduces glucose
levels for those
with diabetes.
» Reduces
blood pressure.
» Can improve bloating.Disadvantages of keto
» Doesn’t achieve more weight loss
long term than other diets.
» Not as good for your gut microbiome.
» Can be difficult when eating out.
» Cuts out healthy foods such as fruit,
legumes, grains and dairy products.
» Can cause side effects such as bad
breath and constipation.If you’d like one of our experts to
answer your question, email it to
[email protected].
No correspondence will
be entered into.a keto
diet is low
in sugar and
reduces
glucose
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