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 Hi everyone. My name is Pumpkin. My friends call me ‘Pumps’ for short. I am the official mascot of BCNH and I can answer any basic questions you might have about nutrition and health. About Me: Maybe we will meet one day - that would be nice. (Don’t forget the chocolate.) I am a pretty 4 year old Bichon Frise Lady and I have a very healthy diet. Not that I have much choice, mind you. The only fresh meat I see are Grey squirrels I chase fruitlessly at the college. Talking of fruit - I eat loads of it. My favourites are apples, pears, avocados, blueberries, beans, nuts, coconuts,tomatoes and stir-fried vegetables. However, I have been caught stealing chocolate bars from visiting students’ handbags and caused a little furore when I stupidly scoffed some nice tasting contraceptive pills from my favourite auntie Justine. Re: Qs & As below I will try my best to answer your questions within 5 days. If it is a difficult question, I will ask one of the qualified BCNH staff to help me. I will make an FAQ of the answers to the most popular questions. Kind regards,  Pumps PS: This is a sample of my menu:  Email: pumpkin@bcnh.co.uk Blog: www.veggiedog.blogspot.com TOP QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (5 to 1) QUESTION 5 I suffer from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. I used to very thin and now I have put on quite a bit of weight. My periods don't come at all now even with contraception. I need to lose weight desperately and I need to know what is the correct food I should be eating to lose this weight and help my periods return. I know exercise is a factor and that I also need to increase my activity levels.
ANSWER You are right. You need to exercise more and eat a healthy, balanced diet. I suggest you avoid eating starches such as rice, bread, potatoes, pasta etc. in the evening and that you have your last meal at least 4 hours before bed (preferably not later than 6pm). Starches, when ingested in excess, are converted to fat. You also need to avoid sweet fruits such as grapes, bananas, papayas, etc. These fruits are high in sugar, which when ingested in excess, is also converted to fat. You can have low GI fruits such as apples, kiwis, berries, etc. It is also important that you have 3 meals a day. Skipping meals will send your body into a 'starvation' mode and your metabolism will slow down; you will burn fewer calories and find it difficult to lose weight. Having some protein (animal or plant) with each meal will help you balance your blood sugar levels and make you fee full longer (less cravings). Good sources of plant proteins are beans and pulses, nuts and seeds and tofu. Be careful with nuts though, as they can be fattening. Seeds, on the other hand, are excellent source of essential oils vital for hormonal balance, as well as fibre, protein, vitamins and minerals. To help you balance your hormones, I would recommend that you take 3 tablespoons of cold pressed flax seed oil daily. Flax seeds contain phytochemicals, lignans, which help to balance female hormones. I hope I have answered your question. Please let me know how you get on. Pumps TOP QUESTION 4 I was travelling in Africa at the end of last year and got quite ill with gastric enteritis. I became severely dehydrated and my veins collapsed. Since then I have put on quite a bit of weight, despite eating very small quantities when travelling (sometimes just a small bowl of rice a day). I am now back at home on a healthy diet, eating a bowl of Dorset fruit and nut muesli with fat free yogurt for breakfast and just fruit, vegetables and maybe some brown rice or wholemeal pita bread a day. I run for 30 mins a day but I am still 11 stone (I am 5'11'). I have pins and needles nearly all the time in my legs and arms, get head rushes whenever I stand up and get really bad bloating. I am starting university in October but I feel really self conscious about my body so was wondering if you had any ideas why I can’t loose weight? I would be so grateful for any answers. ANSWER From your email it appears that you are not getting sufficient protein in your diet, as it appears very much carbohydrate dependent. You could have an increased gut permeability due to the infection you have had in the past and you could consequently have food sensitivities, which may be stopping you from losing weight. Naturally, there could be other reasons as well , which I cannot identify without having all the facts. Re: pins and needles - please see a medical doctor regarding this problem. Most probably there is a very simple explanation for these, but I do suggest that you get this investigated by your GP. With regard to other problems, I suggest you visit a BCNH qualified practitioner - please see the following link http://www.bcnh.co.uk/practitioners_list.htm Good luck with the Uni and please let me know if I can help you any further Pumps TOP QUESTION 3 My question is: what are the best foods to eliminate free radicals and prevent reakdown of cells and sagging skin.In short, what food promote radiance? Also, would you be able to recommend a supplier of natural non-synthetic supplements? Thank you - I shall send you lots of cocoa! ANSWER
First of all, I wish to stress that beauty (and radiance) come from within. That means eating a healthy diet and leading a healthy lifestyle (generally anyway). The best foods to reduce (not eliminate) free radical damage are antioxidants. These are nutrients found in fresh fruits and vegetables, berries being my favorite, as they contain flavonoids such as proanthocyandins and resveratrol. A study published in Free Radicals in Biology and Medicine found that Proanthocyandins in grape seed can reduce skin damage caused by UV-radiation. Green tea polyphenols have also been shown to protect against UV damage. However, avoiding excessive exposure to the sun is indispensable. Grape skin, as well as other berries, contains another phytochemical - resveratrol, which is associated with anti-ageing and has other health benefits. Raw nuts and seeds are excellent source of essential fatty acids (EFAs) which are constituent parts of cell membranes and make skin soft and moist. They are also an excellent source of Vitamin E which protects cell membranes from oxidation (free radical damage). Suppliers of natural non-synthetic supplements, to my knowledge, are reputable companies such as BioCare, Nutri, Higher Nature, Allergy Research, Biotics, Cytoplan and maybe few others that I may have missed out. However, I’d like to stress out that I do not encourage self-supplementation and supplements can not substitute healthy eating. I hope I have answered your question. Pumps TOP QUESTION 2 I am 38 and have really heavy periods and fibroids. I am too embarrassed to see the doctor about this but would like to know if changing my diet could help or if there are any supplements I could take which would ease the problem. ANSWERI assume your fibroids were diagnosed by your doctor. If not, you must see your GP. Fibroids are nothing to be ashamed of; my mummy has them and she keeps them under control nutritionally (and has regular medical check ups). You would definitely benefit from changing your diet - e.g. avoiding wheat, dairy, and inorganic products containing pesticides, which mimic oestrogen in the body (excess oestrogen promotes growth such as uterine fibroids). I cannot recommend any supplements as I need more information. You can always book a 1.5 hour consultation with one of our Year 3 students for £30. Please contact my 'PA' Greg in admin department (020 7372 5740) for further information. I hope I have answered your question. Pumps TOP QUESTION 1 Is it “safe” to cook with sesame seed oil at a high temperature? ANSWER All oils are damaged by deep-frying. However, light sesame oil is less damaged by high temperatures and oxygen. This may be due to an antioxidant called sesamin, which gives it better oxidative stability. However, if the oil begins to burn and smoke, the temperature is too high and the oil will be damaged. Dark sesame oil (Asian) has a stronger flavour and should only be used in small quantities for flavouring foods - not cooking. The best oil considered for cooking is grapeseed oil. This oil has a higher smoke point and if not labeled "extra virgin" it will likely have fewer chemicals that could be damaged at high temperature cooking. I hope I've answered your question. Wishing you the best of health. Pumps BCNH Prospectus (08-09) TOP |
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