Eat Smart Nutrition Consultants are Holly Frail, Kerry Leech, Lauren Nugent, Joseph Spelta and Peta Carige. We are a team of dedicated consultant Dietitians established in Brisbane for over 20 years and more recently on the Gold Coast. As experienced Accredited Practicing Dietitians we are able to provide nutrition advice for treating a wide range of clinical and lifestyle based nutritional problems on an individual basis.

We all have a background in sport and fitness and are considered to be some of the best known and well-respected Dietitians in Queensland. We are consultants to many of Queensland's, and some of Australia's, well known athletes and sporting teams including the Brisbane Broncos, the Australian Netball Team, the Queensland Academy of Sport and the Australian Institute of Sport, as well as corporate health programs for active people. We use the skills and knowledge of sport and activity to help in achieving your goals of a healthier lifestyle. We all have extensive experience in the area of weight and body fat loss, with the ability to personalize your program and be flexible to suit your lifestyle.

Eat Smart Nutrition Consultants are proud to work for the following clubs and organisations.

What's New?

TIDBITS

Peta is DAFNE trained so if you require education or assistance with adjusting your food intake for your insulin dosage please consult with Peta Carige at Sunnybank, Albion, Red Hill or Kelvin Grove.

It's the pinnacle of many elite athletes careers - the Olympics! Cheer on our Aussie athletes and use them as inspiration to exercise and eat well!

Lauren has been working with Redcliffe Hospitals Courtyard Coffee Shop to comply with QLD Health's Better Choices Program. This program uses a traffic light system to ensure the majoirty of food and beverages available for sale in QLD Health facilities is healthy. Look out for the changes in Hospitals and health centres from September 1.

Eat Smart has been working with The Canny Cook to provide athlete friendly recipes. These recipes are designated with a 'strong man' to show those recipes which are higher in protein and a 'running man' to show those recipes which are higher in carbohydrate. Check it out at The Canny Cook

Monthly Tip


Winter inevitably brings colds & flus along with bright blue clear days, frosty mornings and less daylight hours. This year has been no different and some would say worse than usual due to the lower temperatures than previous years. Is a cold or flu inevitable during winter? Why do some people seem to never get sick? And why do children seem to always have a cold?

First of all, what is your 'immune system'? The immune system fights off bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses which otherwise may make us unwell. Our immune system is constantly at work and usually we do not even know we are fighting foreign bodies.

What is a cold?
The common cold is a virus which brings symptoms of a headache, runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, sore throat and sometimes a cough. It is highly contagious but generally only lasts 3-7 days. As a cold is a virus, antibiotics are not usually prescribed unless there is a bacterial infection.

What is the flu?
Influenza is a virus that exhibits symptoms such as aches and pains, fatigue, headaches and fever. It is more severe in its presentation and may render the individual unwell for a week. It is highly contagious however there is now a preventative vaccine. The best time to have the vaccine is Feb-May each year.

Why do some people seem to get sick all the time?
Our immune system depends on being exposed to bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites so we can produce immunity against foreign bodies. If you enter a new area with new foreign bodies you may not have immunity against those organisms. If you are exposed to lots of different people (e.g. children at school, in medical centres etc) then you are more susceptible to becoming ill.

Why do children always seem to be sick?
A child's immune system is far less developed than an adult's. They have not been exposed to as many foreign bodies and thus their immune system has not built up immunity to those illnesses. Also, children are not as vigilant with hand washing and like to share their germs with fellow children!

Should I exercise when I'm sick?
No if you have the flu. You may enjoy light exercise when you have a cold however a heavy training session may exacerbate your condition. Also remember that you are contagious and that others in your training vicinity may not wish to share your germs! You certainly tire more quickly than usual so don't expect to be able to perform at the same level when sick.

If I am sick, is there anything I can do now?
Looking after yourself is very important. Get plenty of rest, drink plenty of water and try not to share your germs with others!

I work in an office in close proximity to many others, how can I prevent myself from getting sick?
For prevention, wash your hands well and often. Fruit and vegetables are a great immune system booster so make sure you include 2 fruit and 5 veggies every day. Try soups with plenty of veggies, fresh fruit or fruit juices and add extra veggies to your meals especially during winter. Ensuring you have plenty of fluids to flush out the 'nasties' is also important. Get plenty of rest and keep warm & dry (yes your Mum does know what she's talking about!)

What about supplements?
There are many supplements on the market purporting to have immune fighting benefits. Many lack scientific data to back their claims up; however some have strong anecdotal evidence. Vitamin C and Zinc are potent immune system boosters and there is some evidence that taking these regularly does improve your immune function. Vitamin C does have some research to support its use in the prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract infections. Echinacea and Olive Leaf extract are herbal preparations often used for the prevention and treatment of colds and other viruses.

A strong immune system cannot be bought but we certainly can nourish the one we have by ensuring a healthy diet, plenty of rest, regular exercise, plenty of water and washing your hands regularly! Best of luck in keeping healthy this winter!

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