EAT WRITE
ANITA BEAN ANSWES
ALL 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.
