Q: Is there a link between milk and weight loss

A: It’s unclear if increasing the amount of dairy products you eat and drink will help you lose weight. Some studies indicate that people who add dairy products into a reduced-calorie diet lose more weight than those who cut back on their calories but consume little or no dairy. Other studies have concluded there’s no effect on weight loss.

 

Some research suggests that drinking more milk may help some people lose weight because dairy products contain certain substances — including calcium — that may help regulate weight loss. But much more research is needed to determine what role, if any, milk and other dairy products may play in weight loss.

Q: Should I wash supermarket fruit before I eat it?

A: In general my advice is to wash fruit and vegetables before you eat it to avoid the risk of exposure to toxins, chemicals and pesticide residues which your body doesn’t want or need and which have been linked to an increased risk of poor health and infertility.

 

If you can buy organic produce you don’t risk exposure to unnecessary toxins and chemicals but it’s still a good idea to wash your fruit before you eat it as you have no idea who has been handling the fruit or what dirt they may have collected along the way. Supermarkets often state on their packaging whether a fruit or vegetable is washed and ready to eat but my advice remains the same as with organic produce; wash first then eat.

 

Having said that eating the occasional unwashed fruit won’t do you any harm but you do need to be really careful if you are pregnant, elderly or in poor health as your immune system is vulnerable and there is a risk of food poisoning and infection. Another risk is toxoplasmosis which can cause serious damage to an unborn baby so if you are pregnant or hoping to be make sure you always wash fruit and vegetables before eating.

Q: Are raw foods better for you?

A: There are advantages to eating raw food – fresh fruits and vegetables and seeds and nuts are full of nutrients undamaged by heating and processing. Many people say they have more energy when they eat some raw food regularly claiming that raw foods are rich in energy enzymes and still laden with natural energy from the earth and sun.

 

There are, however, drawbacks from eating nothing but raw foods or foods that are uncooked. Some people find them difficult to digest because the fibres have not been softened enough by heating; cooking can also make some of the nutrients e.g. antioxidants more available and easily absorbed by the body. And as for the seasons it is certainly good for the body to stay well warmed in the winter with cooked foods.

 

Steaming is a great way to cook that leaves the nutrients intact; rather than methods using high temperatures or long periods of time which do the opposite. My advice therefore is to change the balance of raw to cooked food depending on the season.  Go for more cooked food in the winter and more raw in the summer but both cooked and raw are valuable.