Here are some more chronological pictures (up to Jan 23 2017) of beans climbing to 4 metres and still wanting to go higher if they had something to cling to. Interspersed between these pictures are extraordinary quotes from soil scientists and eco-agricultural, biological and nature attuned farmers. This knowledge goes back to the early part of [...]
Only 12 months ago a new rental home presented with some raised garden beds. Excited I was, considering growing in pots for the last 5 years was the only choice. This is a picture of me last week (Jan 12th 2017) with bean plants 2.4 metres tall and only 8 weeks old. This article is a [...]
Getting your diet analysed is quick and simple. We offer a 24hr diet recall or a more comprehensive 3-day analysis.
This is an example of a diet analysis that comes from allowing the person to recall what they ate in the last 24 hours. This man submitted his eating regime and included actual gram amounts of all foods eaten (they were individually weighed). Foods are mostly organic plant based with only a little biodynamic yoghurt and [...]
The Fifth Edition of the Whole Food & Nutrient Synergy Book has just been finished. A 300+ page book that has evolved over the last 5 years to now deliver an experience of learning, reference and fun about foods and the essential nutrients they contain.
During the 1960's, between the ages of 6 to 14 years of age, my parents kindly lavished science instrumentation upon me at the slightest whiff of a birthday or other celebration. Chemistry set, electronic kit, telescope, microscope, large glossy heavy books and the licence to explore, experiment and have fun. They must have seen something in [...]
This is a Diet Analysis of the 75-year young man based on his recalling food and drink consumed over the past 24 hours. There is quite a bit of variation in the diet over the day. Most essential nutrients are well represented when looking at their %'s of the Recommended Daily or Dietary Intakes (RDI). Folate, [...]
This is a 24hr Diet analysis of the 62-year young man. In the analysis, we see about 3/4 of energy needs are met for the day - which in principle indicates that a little more food could be eaten to make up for the shortfall in some of the nutrients. Full Analysis along with Energy expenditure [...]
We analyse meals, recipes, and your diet. We reveal holes in nutrient intake using these analyses and point to ways to improve. Optimal nutrition is vital for effective detoxification. We connect nutrients and food in visually innovative ways that help optimise understanding, knowledge and long term health.
This is a simple yet quite meticulous human daily energy expenditure calculator. Can also be used to measure your BMI and Resting Metabolic Rate or Daily Energy Requirements based on your physical activity. It uses academically recognised MET values (Metabolically Equivalent to Task) to grade different levels of physical activity. Designed by Food Synergy founder Hartmut [...]
The following is great information for mothers with young children. In the previous post entitled "Nutrient dense gluten-free crepes", we looked at the mineral content of a very tasty nutrient packed crepe. The analysis was done for a adult women. After trialing these super pancakes on 3 young children and having a great response, I wanted [...]
Very shortly Food Synergy will be offering a comprehensive recipe analysis service. And, with great excitement, we will also provide a full 24-hour or 3-day diet analysis. This has been in the pipeline for several years. State of the art visualisation tools will bring your eating regime into view and most importantly highlight any blindspots that [...]
A few years ago I developed a little javascript Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) and BMI calculator with the help of a great Indian programmer and using data kindly supplied by the Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Center for Physical Activity and Weight Management, University of Kansas Medical Center. It is a fun and easy [...]
Optimal Nutrition helps prevent Insulin Resistance (IR) and Diabetes When speaking about health and nutrition, we often find it hard to believe that a serious disease like diabetes can be positively influenced by our inner nutrient balance. Key Nutrients Nutrients are now known to play key roles in the prevention, and the minimisation of symptoms and [...]
If you burned sugar or glucose outside of your body in the presence of oxygen, carbon dioxide, water and heat would be produced. That heat is the energy released. When you eat, say a potato, the carbohydrate is digested into glucose, the glucose then absorbed into the blood, carried to cells and also "burned" in the [...]
Energy is expressed in Kilocalories (Kcal) or Kilojoules (kj). The amount of energy you need per day depends on your Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) PLUS the amount of energy you use during physical activity and is often called your Total Daily Energy Expenditure or Requirement (TDEE). The RDI's for energy shown here are population-based average estimates [...]
Contrary to what people think, nature has intended us to move and as a result, eat GENEROUSLY. This is so that our bodies can be flooded with essential nutrients. Problems arise when we eat copious foods devoid of nutrients.
This is part 2 of Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR), Body Mass Index (BMI) and Total Daily Energy Use Even sitting uses energy Your Resting Metabolic Rate is the amount of energy you consume just quietly sitting still. It is calculated here using a formula developed by Mifflin and uses your weight, height, age and gender. Results [...]
What are “Calories” Calories like kilojoules are “units” expressing the energy stored in food. To avoid potential confusion when reading food labels and embarking on exercise campaigns, it is important to understand what these units mean and how they inter-relate. The word energy comes from the ancient Greek work “energeia”, meaning activity or operation. We need [...]
The degree to which Drugs prevent Type 2 diabetes is mediocre in comparison to the effectiveness of diet and life interventions. Diabetes is often thought of as a sugar and insulin disorder with serious side effects if ignored or left untreated. Rarely do we consider that diabetes, like other modern chronic conditions, can be an outcome [...]
This is a simple but accurate infographic of "why we need Niacin". See more about Niacin on our sister site - Toxno How much Niacin do I need Vegan Food Sources of Niacin Animal Food Sources of Niacin Most people now know that antioxidants are important. The human body has evolved ways to recycle crucial antioxidants [...]
Persimmons are becoming popular in Australia. Recently tried some from a grower down in Coffs Harbour, NSW and they were a delightful surprise, especially when fully ripe. Astringent versus non-astringent One can grow an old-fashioned astringent variety or one of the newer non-astringent types. According to Maggie Beer from the 2010 Gardening Australia Magazine, "Astringent persimmons [...]
Both Flaxseed and Chia seed are very rich sources of Omega 3. Flaxseed also contains a generous amount of Thiamin (Vitamin B1).
Digestible bones (tinned Sardines and Salmon) are a great source of calcium. Soaking dried corn kernels in lime water makes them absorb calcium. This is sheer nature magic and wisdom combined. In Mexico, corn tortilla is the most widely consumed staple food. The corn dough used for tortilla preparation is traditionally prepared by boiling corn in [...]
Iron is very damaging at high levels, and the presence of iron overload disorders like hemochromatosis or hepatitis C need to be ruled out before embarking on increasing your iron intake. Iron from animal sources is usually better absorbed while concurrent ingestion of Vitamin C dramatically improves iron absorption. Like calcium, iron insufficiency can remain undetected [...]
High in vitamin B6. The seeds from ripe fruits are edible, are said to have a milky, sweet taste, and may be boiled, baked, or roasted.
In conditions of growth or when calcium is low in the diet, a Vitamin D based calcium transport system is activated in the body that in effect increases calcium uptake. This mechanism however can decline with age and menopause in women. Sodium and caffeine can also increase calcium loss while excessive zinc or magnesium (supplements) along [...]
Offal was eaten much more in the past and particularly in Europe. The organs of an animal are very rich in nutrients. Because iron is stored in the liver, liverwurst is a very rich source. Only 30gr of dark chocolate give you nearly 1/5 of your iron needs. Cool. Animal Based Food Sources of iron [...]
Important considerations About 99% of calcium in the body is stored in bones and teeth and amounts to approximately 1200 grams. Modern culture dictates that we need dairy foods to fulfil most of our calcium needs. However a careful study of the whole food profiles that follow, along with calcium absorption and retention mechanisms, will reveal that [...]
Chia seeds make delicious pancakes. Throw them on the ground with a little water and they grow. Chia is also a decent source of Niacin, which we didn't mention in our Niacin articles. Chia plants taking off For all those humans who don't eat dairy, Chia has a reasonable swag of Calcium. Three tablespoons [...]