Veganism and eating disorders
Among eating disorder treatment specialists, ‘vegan’ is a dirty word. I’ve seen many clients suffering from anorexia nervosa over my 20+ years in practice. Without exception, all were told by their doctors, dietitians and psychologists that veganism was part and parcel of their eating disorder and they could not recover from it unless they went back…
Quince Jam
Quince is a member of the apple and pear family, but its flesh is too tart to eat raw. Quince jam is typically loaded with sugar, however dates make a nutritious and delicious substitute. Ingredients: 2 large quince 6 cardamom pods 1 cinnamon stick 1 cup pitted dates Method: Chop quince roughly and place in…
Can a plant-based diet cure IBS?
I often see the question “Can a plant-based diet cure IBS?” pop up in vegan Facebook groups. Since a) April is IBS Awareness Month and b) I’m seeing ever-increasing numbers of clients with IBS and other functional gastroenterological problems in my practice, I thought I’d grab the opportunity to address this burning question. First, what…
Super Seaweed Sprinkle
A wholefood plant-based diet is far more nutrient-dense than the typical Standard Australian Diet (SAD), but its iodine content can tend toward the low side. Lately I’ve seen a number of plant-based clients whose urinary iodine excretion indicated inadequate intake of this vital trace mineral. My Super Seaweed Sprinkle is a delicious solution to the…
Acid suppressors and antibiotics increase allergic disease
Giving babies acid suppressors and/or antibiotics increases their risk of anaphylaxis, eczema and asthma
Apricot Hazelnut Spread
Dried apricots and hazelnuts make a great combo when turned into a spread. And don’t limit yourself to bread – apple slices make terrific vehicles for this yummy treat. Ingredients: 1 cup raw hazelnuts 1 cup dried apricots 1/2 cup dates 1 1/4 cups water Method: Grind hazelnuts and set aside. Simmer dried apricots…
Who says you’re depressed or anxious? Pfizer does
2 April 2018 I’ve been becoming increasingly worried over the years about the creeping medicalisation of human suffering. A frighteningly high percentage of my clients are either taking, or have been prescribed in the past, psychiatric medications including antidepressants, anti-anxiety agents and atypical antipsychotics (disingenuously marketed as ‘mood stabilisers’). I’ve written before about the total…
Get the facts on iron
The widely-held stereotype of vegans as pale and anaemic doesn’t fit with the research, which clearly shows that Australians on plant-based diets are no more likely to be anaemic (which means having low haemoglobin levels in their blood) or to have depleted iron stores than omnivores. Vegans tend to have lower iron stores (ferritin levels)…
Quince, Pumpkin and Chickpea Stew
What do you do when you find a recipe online that has multiple pluses – it uses quinces, an ingredient I’ve only ever made dessert with; it’s chock-full of vegetables; it has a delicious-sounding mixture of herbs and spices – BUT 2 big minuses – it was intended as a side dish when I wanted…
Kale and Beetroot Salad
Raw kale can be tough to chew and too bitter for many people’s palates, but lightly baking it makes it crunchy and delicious! I started off with this recipe from One Green Planet and then branched off in my own direction :). Ingredients: 2 large beetroots, scrubbed and trimmed 1 bunch kale, washed and de-stemmed…