EAT WRITEANITA BEAN ANSWESALL YOUR NUTRITION QUESTIONS

Q. I've read that if you're trying for a baby, you should eat lots to conceive a boy and diet for a girl. Is this true?

A: Findings from a study by Oxford and Exeter universities did seem to show that how you eat has some effect on the sex of your baby. But it's worth considering that 51-52 per cent of babies are born male – the same as it's always been – despite rising obesity rates, so it seems unlikely to make a significant difference.

Q. I know that omega-3 oils are really healthy, but I'm a vegetarian. Is there some way I can include them in my diet without eating fish?

There are three main types of omega-3 essential fatty acids, needed for brain function, concentration and vision. Two (EPA and DHA) are found solely in 
fish but one type, alpha linolenic acid (ALA), can be got from plant foods. Your body then converts it into EPA and DHA, which are more easily absorbed by the body. The Vegetarian Society recommends taking 4g daily, which you can get from 1tbsp flaxseed oil, 2tbsp (50g) walnuts, or one large sweet potato plus one portion of broccoli.

Superfood of the week Curly kale

This curly-leafed vegetable is a good source of lutein, which is a powerful antioxidant linked to healthy vision, and is also rich in soluble fibre and B vitamins, which help to release energy from food. Eating three portions of green, leafy vegetables a day will also help to reduce memory deterioration as we get older.

EAT WRITEANITA BEAN ANSWESALL YOUR NUTRITION QUESTIONS

Q. I'm pregnant and I'm confused about whether I can drink any alcohol. What's a safe limit?

The latest guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) are not to drink alcohol at all during pregnancy. But NICE also advises that if you must drink, avoid it in the first three months then limit yourself to one or two units once or twice a week.

Q. I never have sweets and I eat healthily, but my dentist says acid is eroding my teeth. What can I do?

Sweets aren't the only food that is bad for your teeth. Fruit, fruit juice, fizzy drinks and wine are all acidic and can lead to the erosion or thinning of tooth enamel. You can help neutralise acid by eating cheese or yoghurt after an acidic food. Also avoid brushing teeth straight after eating, and use a low-abrasion toothpaste such as Sensodyne Pronamel, which can help repair teeth.

Q. Is it true that toxins from plastic food packaging, cling film and containers can transfer to food?

Yes, toxins from packaging, cling film and containers may leach and transfer to food they have contact with, particularly if it's high-fat food or is heated. Minimise the risk by transferring food into Pyrex or ceramic containers before heating, and by using foil instead of cling film to wrap high-fat foods.

SUPERFOODS: Brazil nuts

The Brazil nut is a great source of selenium, an antioxidant that boosts your immune system, helps prevent cancer, heart disease and premature ageing. Just three Brazil nuts a day will provide a sufficient intake of selenium.

EAT WRITEANITA BEAN ANSWESALL YOUR NUTRITION QUESTIONS

Q. I crave salt and salty foods. Is it my body telling me what I need?

A. There's no scientific basis to suggest that cravings are caused by our body's need for a particular nutrient. They are more likely to be linked to a negative mood. When we eat something tasty (like foods high in salt), the stimulation of our taste buds causes the release of opioids, mood-enhancing hormones. It's that feeling we crave.

Q. Do potatoes count towards my five portions of fruit and veg a day?

A. They don't. But recent research has found spuds, especially red and purple-skinned ones, contain high levels of flavanoids and carotenoids, which protect against certain cancers, just below their skin. Boil with the skin on or bake for the maximum benefit.