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Adding grains to your family’s diet is so important for extra vitamins, minerals and fibre. However, when presented with options of grains to choose from, there are many. It is helpful to differentiate between the various types of grains and their specific benefits to your nutritional requirements.
Gluten, a name for the proteins found in wheat, barley and rye, is often known to cause digestive problems. People with celiac disease or who are gluten-intolerant often have to avoid gluten altogether, whilst others with less severe side effects complain of occasional bloating, cramping or nausea. 
A study published in the British Medical Journal found that pregnant women consuming a large amount of gluten (20mg/day or more) were more likely to have children that developed Type 1 diabetes later on in life. 
However, if you are able to tolerate gluten, there are many advantages to adding these grains to your diet in moderation.
Barley contains vitamins B and E, calcium, iron, magnesium and an amino acid called L-tryptophan, which the body converts to serotonin and can be useful in combating insomnia. Rye has vitamins A and B and is a good source of fibre. Unfortunately a lot of our sources of wheat today are extensively processed and refined, stripping the wheat of most of its nutrients.

Some options of gluten-free grains are buckwheat, millet and quinoa. Buckwheat contains vitamin A, selenium and rutin, a plant flavonoid which helps with blood circulation and lowers cholesterol, therefore looking after the functioning of your heart. Millet contains iron and magnesium whilst quinoa is known as a “superfood” and thought to be the most nutritious of all the grains. It is rich in protein, carbohydrates and good fats with E and B vitamins and a great antioxidant. These grains also help to stabilize blood sugar and keep your energy levels higher for longer.

It has been recommended that you soak your grains overnight before cooking them, especially when giving them to babies, as this makes them easier to digest. This is beneficial for a baby whose digestive system is still maturing and often needs assistance in whichever way possible. Most grains contain phytic acid which inhibits nutrient absorption in the body and soaking the grains helps to destroy this phytic acid.

In South Africa, at most of our well-baby clinic check-ups, a first food recommended for babies is rice cereal. This unfortunately is outdated advice, as rice cereal is very refined with hardly any nutritional benefits due to the process used to make and preserve it. It is often merely a way to keep your baby full. I believe we should always choose foods as close to whole and raw as possible, for ourselves and our babies or children. Be careful not to just take advice before doing your own research.

The best part about grains is that they can be added to almost any meal. Start the day off with a cinnamon and banana quinoa porridge, add some oats to your morning smoothie or follow our posts to get awesome recipe ideas on roast vegetable or mediterranean salads with grains as a base.
They are also so easy to prepare. I often make two batches of grains on a Sunday (takes 15 minutes to cook) and store them in the fridge to add to various meals for the week ahead. They also freeze well and defrost quickly. I freeze batches to add to my baby food where necessary.

So get up and get your grains in. Add more health to every meal.

​Many young women may have been advised by their gynaecologist to take folic acid supplements if considering having a baby in the near future. Let’s take a look at the reasons why there is all the hype around this supplement.
Folate is one of the B vitamins, namely Vitamin B9. It is a naturally occurring B vitamin found in a variety of foods, which the body is unable to produce itself, making it an essential vitamin. Its function is to assist the body in making DNA, RNA, for cell division and in metabolising amino acids. Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate which can be incorporated into the diet via supplementation.
The recommended daily allowance (RDA) of this vitamin increases by 50% in pregnant women. It is suggested that supplementation of 400–800ug takes place 2 months prior to conception and continues right through pregnancy (Danielewicz et al. 2017). Most pregnancy vitamins contain 500ug of folic acid.
Why then, is this vitamin so essential to young women of a fertile age?
The most important reason is to prevent neural tube defects (NTD) in the growing foetus (Lassi et al. 2013). The most common NTD is spina bifida, which is an abnormality resulting due to failure of the neural tube (which forms part of the spinal cord) to close properly. This may result in paralysis and sensory loss of the lower limbs resulting in the child requiring assistive devices to help with mobilisation. It was discovered that women with a red blood cell folate concentration of below 1000 nmol/L were most at risk for having an infant with this congenital abnormality.
A large study done in China (1993–1995) showed a dramatic decrease in NTD with folic acid supplementation (Crider et al.2014). This lead to food fortification of breads, grains and cereals with folic acid in countries such as Chile, USA and South Africa which decreased the incidences of NTD by at least 50% (AAP).
A Cochrane review discovered that folic acid supplementation increased a women’s pre-delivery serum folate levels and allowed for much fewer incidences of megaloblastic anaemia during pregnancy. Megaloblastic anaemia is when abnormal red blood cells are produced due to insufficient folate available to the body to assist in making DNA for the cells. Symptoms may include fatigue, shortness of breath, increased heart rate, nausea and muscle weakness. Pregnant women are at risk of folate deficiency and megaloblastic anaemia due to large amounts of folate being used by the body to accommodate the rapidly dividing cells. Hence another reason why supplementation is so important.
According to Patrick Holford in his book The Optimum Nutrition Bible, signs that you may be deficient in folate are anaemia, eczema, cracked lips, anxiety or depression, poor memory, lack of energy and poor appetite.
Unfortunately today it is very difficult to meet the requirements of 500ug in our food substances which is why it is suggested that all women that are pregnant or planning to conceive begin taking this vitamin. Embryologically, the neural tube is formed as early as 4–6weeks gestation which is why it is so important that the mother has the correct levels even before fertilization has taken place.
Of course, we can also do our part in eating foods rich in folate to give us the extra boost we need for optimal levels of this wonder vitamin. Foods rich in folate are wheat germ, leafy greens such as spinach and kale, avocados, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, sesame seeds, peanuts and sprouts to name a few.
Four easy tips for increasing your body’s folate supply:
1- A quick & easy On-The-Go smoothie: Add plain yoghurt, one banana, frozen baby spinach leaves, a tablespoon of wheat germ (sold at any health food shop), a teaspoon of sesame seeds & a handful of macadamia nuts. Blend together in a nutribullet/smoothie- maker with your choice of milk (cows milk, almond milk or soya milk).
2- Take a lunch break from work and assemble a quick broccoli salad with peanut dressing. Chop up two small broccoli heads and two small seedless cucumbers. Add olive oil & top with cranberries and chopped coriander. For the dressing mix together 1/4cup sugar-free peanut butter, a tablespoon of soya sauce, two tablespoons of rice wine vinegar, a teaspoon of honey and a teaspoon of sesame oil. Add some finely grated ginger, mix into the salad and enjoy a simple tasty lunch rich in folate.
3- Grab yourself a multivitamin and check to see that it includes at least 500ug of folic acid per tablet per day.
4- Excessive consumption of alcohol can cause folate deficiency so it is also a good idea to only have those much needed glasses of wine (if you are not yet pregnant) in moderation.
In conclusion, through extensive research and development into modern medicine, a simple, cheap and effective solution has been discovered and is available for a healthier pregnancy for mother and baby. All pregnant ladies and those considering starting a family, use this simple piece of advice, provided to us after years of hard work, and take the initiative to optimise your health.

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​“Our children are the rock on which our future will be built, our greatest asset as a nation” (Nelson Mandela, 1995). This famous quote says it all regarding the investment we make into childhood health and development. We need to provide our children with a solid foundation to ensure that they are able to live successful, healthy and productive lives, which will ultimately help to populate a better South Africa.
We are targeting malnourished children to ensure optimal health with numerous programmes across the country, but on the opposing side we are also faced with the growing trend of childhood obesity.
What are the implications of this and how can we take the time to make a difference?
Obesity is associated with a rise in non communicable diseases such as insulin resistance, diabetes, heart disease and strokes to name a few. (The Hybrid Diet by Patrick Holford & Jerome Burne). These diseases place an additional demand on our exhausted health care services, overcrowding our hospitals and increasing health care costs. This is why it is so important to implement correct nutrition and promote regular physical activity from a young age. We need to start how we would like to finish.
According to the South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES-1) conducted in 2012, the prevalence of obesity and excessive weight gain in children is increasing, making it a cause of concern for public health.
The reasons for weight gain in children are multi-factorial as they can range from genetic, social, environmental and psychological causes (Mchiza et al. 2013). The key is to address these early on so that this doesn’t result in further complications into adulthood.
Physical activity implemented from a young age can decrease the risk of childhood obesity. The increase in the use of screen time is preventing children from being appropriately active. A statitsitc from the HAKSA Report 2018 in SA states that on average children spend more than 3 hours per day looking at screens, excluding during school time and more television time is related to weight gain. This is not only due to a more sedentary lifestyle but also due to the increased advertising on unhealthy foods, encouraging children to partake in this type of snacking.
A study conducted in Stellenbosch showed that children whose mothers’ had long working hours were at increased risk of being overweight or obese (Kirsten et al. 2013). This may be due to the fact that working mothers don’t have time to prepare home-cooked meals with more wholefoods than refined substances. Today, even in South Africa, we have quick and easy access to meals via takeaways and fast foods, uber eats or even supermarket pre-made meals. Unfortunately most of these are very high in salt, sugar and preservatives and can contribute to high cholesterol, raised insulin levels and ultimately excessive weight gain. Unlike in the past, most parents need to work full time to provide for their families so we need to find a solution to incorporate healthy eating even in a busy lifestyle.
What small alterations can parents make to keep their children at a healthy weight and provide them with a beneficial start to grow on into adulthood?
Let’s take a look at a few tips:

• Have a look at the link below from Harvard University to assist you in creating a healthy family media plan from the start. Some screen time can be beneficial and at times essential for desperate parents but needs to be exercised in moderation.

        https://www.healthychildren.org/English/media/Pages/default.aspx#home

• Pack a tasty, nutritious lunch box for your child with some fruit pieces instead of sweets; plain yoghurt & honey instead of flavoured, sugar-filled yoghurt; homemade popcorn as a salty snack instead of chips and a sandwich made from rye or sourdough bread instead of refined white bread slices.
• Moms that are swamped with work could do a meal plan on Sunday to prepare for the week with frozen foods or send their housekeeper on a cooking course to assist with food prep when the evenings get very busy.
• Make homemade ice lollies out of freshly squeezed juices eg: fresh orange and carrot juice to enjoy as a snack around the pool or after school.
• Try to implement a ‘sit-down’ structure around the table for family meals. European studies showed that this lowered the risks of weight gain in children and made them more mindful of wholesome, healthy eating (Jefferson et al.2006)
• Encourage active family outings on the weekends, such as going to the gym together, swimming, or on a mountain bike ride.
• Educate your children on the importance of a healthy diet and regular exercise without making them paranoid about their weight. Always remember, we can still enjoy things like an ice cold milkshake during our hot summers or a big slice of cake at a party, the key is in understanding balance and limitations.

As adults, we are seen by children as role models and we should exercise this responsibility with caution. We should be an example by also taking care with what we put into our bodies and how we manage our family life. Let us combat childhood obesity in whatever way we can and give our children a healthy start to life.