Dietician Arlene Normand. Photo: AJN file

DIETICIAN Arlene Normand answers your questions on food, weight loss and exercise.

Now that I am taking up strength training, should I increase my protein intake to build more muscle?

To build muscle, you need adequate protein in your diet, but you do not need more protein than carbohydrates. Most Australians get more protein than they need anyway.

Years ago body builders were known to wolf down T-bones and drink raw eggs in their mission to consume more protein. Today, they are instead turning to high-protein powders and milkshakes, protein bars and tablets but this is totally unnecessary.

Weightlifters need a little more protein than other people, but due to their greater food intake, they are getting the required amount. In addition, strength training, like any endurance athletics, requires extra calories, but most of these should come from carbohydrates.
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SHAUN RESNIK

AS adults, we all aspire to having fresh-looking, radiant skin. By eating foods that help heal and nourish the skin from the inside out, we can better achieve this goal.

The first place to start is to improve the health of the gut. Make sure you eat plenty of fibre in the form of raw vegetables, fresh fruit, raw nuts and seeds, and wholesome grains. This helps keep the colon clean and rid the body of toxins.

It is vital that the internal digestive flora is in balance too, hence biodynamic natural yoghurt or a good quality probiotic is important.

Antioxidant-rich tropical fruits and berries help heal acne, as do zinc-rich foods, which suppress bacteria in the skin. The over-consumption of processed foods, which lack vital enzymes and are packed with preservatives and additives, inhibits the body’s natural healing ability and leads to poor skin tone and pimples.
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