How Do Amino Acids Work? And Can You Take Them In Supplement Form?

We all need amino acids, not just the gym bunnies, even though they’re usually associated with body building products. Here’s why – plus, how to get them into your diet and whether to supplement.

All About Inflammation

It’s the buzzword of the moment and has been linked to every-thing from cardiovascular disease and arthritis to bowel disorders and cancer. But what is it, what causes it, and how can we keep it at bay?

RE-INVERT yourself

UPSIDE DOWN, RIGHT-SIDE UP, TUMBLING THROUGH THE AIR: WE GAVE AERIAL YOGA A SWING TO KICKSTART THE NEW YEAR ON AN ADVENTUROUS NOTE!

‘What exactly is the difference between organic and non-organic?'

... and three other reader questions for clinical nutritionist Ruth Marcus.

‘I WENT FROM 90KG TO 55KG – AND NOW I'M A LOW-CARB LIFESTYLE COACH!'

When Rebekah Allerton started eating low-carb, she quickly shed the weight she’d struggled to lose. Now, she’s dedicated to helping others learn about the lifestyle that changed hers forever.

BAKE IT EASY!

With these delicious oven bakes you can easily feed a crowd with little fuss and effort.

‘HEALING MY BODY, HEALING MY MIND - 17KG LIGHTER AND BACK ON TOP!

Cheryl Moodley was completely burnt out. Her depression took over, her immune system broke down, and the weight piled on. Then she discovered that a low-carb diet could save her body … and her mind.

34kg Down In Just One Year... And Counting!

Done with being overweight, unhealthy and exhausted, 41-year-old Candice Cleland decided it was time to change everything. She embarked on a low-carb journey, which has seen her shed 34kg and gain more energy than ever before.

Burn, Baby, Burn!

Many studies have pointed to the role of insulin in fat-burning, but how can you harness your insulin cycle to reach your goal weight?

‘It's Possible To Live A Happy, Healthy Life With Diabetes If You Manage It'

When wordsmith and strategist Bridget McNulty discovered she had diabetes, she devoted herself to revolutionising support for South Africa’s 4.5 million people with the condition.

The Low-Carb Chef Who Cooked Her Way To Being 20kg Lighter

Desiré de Vincenzo has always been a foodie; that’s what motivated her to earn her stripes as a qualified chef and low-carb coach. She lost her way, but now she’s back – and 20kg lighter!

Eating With Usana

The Winshaw family gets farming right with Usana Farming. You can taste the difference in their grass-fed beef and pasture-reared eggs – both low-carb must-haves!

MCT Oil Vs Coconut Oil

Coconut and MCT Oil are popular staple items in low-carb meals and snacks. While both are considered to be a healthy source of fat, their health benefits vary and they have different uses. Which should you be using, and how?

Let's Talk About ‘Treat' Meals

Is perfection what we should be aiming for? Or does an ‘all or nothing’ approach set us up for failure? Scientists are increasingly pointing out that the best diet plan is the one you can stick to in the long term: the one that becomes a lifestyle!

5 Easy Techniques To Drop Off To Sleep Quickly

A lack of sleep not only leaves you feeling foggy and sluggish, it can harm your weight loss efforts too! Sleep helps your metabolism and curbs cravings for sugary foods. If you’re battling to nod off at night these five fail-safe methods work like a dream.

Are You Really Hungry?

You’d think true hunger is something we’d have evolved to recognise instinctively – but we haven’t. In fact, we often find it difficult to distinguish between real hunger and a host of other things, like thirst or boredom.

Q & A

‘I suffer from severe eczema, what foods should I eat?’ and two other reader questions for our clinical nutritionist, Ruth Marcus.

Get A GRIP

The ancient art of jiu-jitsu is about more than getting a good workout (although you’re bound to work up a sweat). It also teaches you about strategy and self-defence, even if your opponent has a clear weight or size advantage – after all, jiu-jitsu was not designed for the strong; it was designed for the smart.

For The Love Of It

From Farmers’ Markets to fighting cancer, this Funky Ouma knows a thing or two about good nutrition – along with how to spice up your next dinner!

The Good Fats!

Most meal plans advocate a diet that includes good amounts of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, with some even suggesting supplementation. But what exactly are these hero compounds, and how should we consume them for optimal health benefits?

Inspiration: In Control

After struggling to fall pregnant for nine long years, Vangile Manzini received more bad news: she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. The trauma took its toll, and her weight ballooned to 106kg. Now 20kg lighter, she shares how an LCHF lifestyle saved her life.

Inspiration: 25kg Down And Happier Than Ever!

Debi Malherbe’s six-year low-carb journey set her free from a lifetime of calorie counting and food weighing. These days, she enjoys experimenting in the kitchen and whipping up delicious meals with her favourite LCHF ingredients.

What The Perfect Plate Should Look Like

Stocking the fridge with all the right foods and cooking your meals from scratch are both positive steps in the right direction. But you might be undoing all your good work when it comes to dishing up.

Best Idea: Swiss Chard

When it comes to nutrient-loaded leafy greens, swiss chard – also known as ‘silverbeet’, ‘spinach beet’ or ‘mangold’ – packs a serious punch. Vitamin k is swiss chard’s hero ingredient, just a cup of these greens contains a whopping 716% of the required daily intake.

6 Ways To Go From Negative To Positive

Studies show that a negative mindset can stop you reaching your potential. It’s not as simple as putting a smile on your face and ignoring the negatives, but you can shut down that inner pessimist to reach your goals.

Eat This, Not That

Cheese croutons are a delicious carb-free alternative to enjoy with your soup this winter. Add some toasted seeds and nuts for extra crunch.

Farm To Cart

An online shop at eco-friendly grocery store, Buyfresh.co.za, is just like shopping at a farmers’ market! You can do your weekly buy-in with just a few clicks – minus the environmental guilt – and support local farmers. Welcome to the future of grocery shopping.

What Is Insulin Resistance?

Insulin resistance often operates in ‘stealth mode’ and then goes undiagnosed – in other words, you could be insulin resistant and just not know it...

My Big Fat Greek Feast

Eating like a greek is all about sharing a meal from different delicious plates and bowls. The best part is that greek food is naturally low in carbohydrates and nutritious to boot!

To Die For

These easy-to-make chocolate treats will put an end to even the worst cravings. Make sure to use good quality 85–90% chocolate or be on the lookout for Afrikoa’s sugar-free chocolate, sweetened with stevia and erythritol.