Now we’ve got nothing against letting loose at the end of the year (would it even be called the silly season if there was no alcohol involved?) but there’s teetotalers, kids, and people who might be feeling a bit delicate for one reason or another who would still love to be a part of the festivities.

By Sharon Natoli, Accredited Practising Dietitian and Director of Food & Nutrition Australia

When family members have different likes and dislikes it can be challenging preparing meals that satisfy everyone.  If you add in the complexity of managing specific food intolerances, it can be even more challenging! The following tips will assist in meeting the needs of the family without the stress of preparing separate meals daily:

By Sharon Natoli, Accredited Practising Dietitian and Director of Food & Nutrition Australia

This month is ‘Movember’, an important time for raising much needed funds for men’s health.  Statistics show that men die on average 5 years earlier than women, and one third have not seen a doctor in the past year¹.  So it’s timely to remember that while sensitivity to lactose is often a problem reported by women, it also affects men—but may not to be picked up as readily due to fewer visits to the GP!

By Sharon Natoli, Accredited Practising Dietitian and Director of Food & Nutrition Australia

A sensitivity to lactose can arise for a variety of reasons – some people may be born with it, some may develop it on a temporary basis, while others may experience its development later in life.  While the management of this condition is the same, it’s interesting to know why some people find it hard to digest lactose and others don’t.

The days are getting longer which means summer’s almost here and delicious cold drinks are very much in order. If you want to get into the spirit of things today, but don’t want to drink alcohol, here’s a tummy-friendly and delectable mocktail using your trusted Pauls Zymil to keep you cool.

By Sharon Natoli, Accredited Practising Dietitian and Director of Food & Nutrition Australia

If you have a sensitivity to lactose, it can be important to be aware of all sources of lactose in addition to the obvious dairy sources.  Lactose can be added to some processed foods and drinks as well as being an addition to some supplements.  The amount can vary in different types of foods and drinks so reading labels is important to help you make informed decisions about the types of foods, drinks and supplements that are suitable to consume.