World Diabetes Day: The Impact of Nutrition on Type II Diabetes

World Diabetes Day is observed on November 14 each year, serving as a global platform to raise awareness about diabetes and its effects on individuals and communities. This year’s theme, “Breaking Barriers, Bridging Gaps,” highlights our dedication to minimising diabetes risk and ensuring that everyone diagnosed with diabetes receives fair, inclusive, affordable, and high-quality treatment […]

Pink October: How Healthy Eating Can Help Prevent Breast Cancer

(Photo by Meiying Ng on Unsplash)   October is painted in pink to symbolise the fight against breast cancer. Known as Pink October, this campaign raises awareness about breast cancer, encouraging women to take charge of their health through early detection and lifestyle changes. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women globally, and […]

Nourishing the Mind: The Connection Between Nutrition and Mental Health

As we observe World Mental Health Day, it’s essential to recognise how our diet influences our mental well-being. Research consistently shows that what we eat can significantly affect our mood, cognitive function, and overall mental health. This article will delve into the science behind nutrition and mental health, explore specific foods that can enhance our […]

Enjoying Mooncakes in a Healthy Way During Mid-Autumn Festival

Photo by Alexa Soh on Unsplash   As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, the air is filled with the aroma of freshly baked mooncakes, a beloved tradition that brings families and friends together. However, the high sugar, fat, and calorie content of these delectable treats can pose a challenge for those seeking to maintain a healthy […]

Sports Nutrition: Fuelling Hong Kong’s Olympians to Success

Hong Kong’s resounding success at the 2024 Paris Olympics has highlighted the crucial role of sports nutrition in elite athletic performance. Hong Kong’s impressive medal haul not only showcased the grit and determination of its athletes, but also underscored the importance of proper nutritional support in helping them reach the pinnacle of their competitive abilities. […]

Nourishing the Gut for a Healthy Mind: Celebrating World Health Day 2024

On World Health Day 2024, let’s delve into the fascinating world of our gut microbiome and its profound impact on our overall well-being. The gut microbiome, a complex ecosystem of microorganisms residing in our digestive tract, is an integral part of our health that influences everything from our metabolism to our mood. Understanding the gut-brain […]

World Cancer Day: Eating And Lifestyle Tips For Cancer Prevention

World Cancer Day, observed every year on February 4th, is a global initiative led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) to raise awareness about cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment. This day unites people around the world in the fight against the cancer epidemic, emphasising the importance of early detection, […]

Dietitian Sally’s Top 5 Daily Wellness Routines

In our quest for a healthier and happier life, it is important to prioritise our well-being through simple daily routines. Let’s explore these routines and discover how they can contribute to a healthier you in 2024.   1. Eat Regular Meals Did you know that when and how often you eat can have a big […]

A Wellness Self-care Guide For A Healthier 2024

As we enter the year 2024, prioritising our well-being has become more crucial than ever. Professional recommendations can help embrace a wellness self-care guide. By practising the following five recommendations on a regular basis, we can nurture our physical, mental, and emotional well-being and live a healthier life.   Prioritise Physical Health Taking care of […]

Healthy And Happy Holidays: Tips For Eating Right And Staying Fit During Christmas

The holiday season is a time for celebration and indulgence, but it does not mean we have to abandon our healthy eating habits. With some simple strategies, you can enjoy the festive season while still prioritising your well-being.   Photo by krakenimages on Unsplash   Plan Ahead and Prioritize Before the holiday season begins, take […]

5 Healthy Eating Tips For A Strong And Healthy Heart

Maintaining a healthy heart is paramount to overall well-being. By adopting a balanced and nutritious diet, you can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease, control blood pressure, and manage cholesterol levels. In this article, we will explore five essential eating tips to support heart health.   Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash   Embrace […]

Foods That Fuel: Dietitian Sally Poon Shares Her Dance Nutrition Tips

Photo by Tim Gouw on Unsplash         Driven by the athleticism, artistry and aesthetics of dance, many dancers find themselves in a whirlwind of personal health and fitness goals. It can be mind-boggling for young dancers to figure out how to fuel their bodies. Though we each have a unique physical composition, there are a […]

5 Essential Nutrients To Keep Your Immune System Strong

Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash     Article by Sally Shi-po POON (Registered Dietitian)   Lately, I have received many inquiries about food and nutrition related to the COVID-19/ Coronavirus pandemic. Put simply, there is no specific food or supplement will prevent you from catching COVID-19. Good personal hygiene practice, such as washing hands frequently and wearing […]

5 Essential Nutrients For Plant-based Diets

By Sally Shi-po POON (Registered Dietitian)     If you are a vegetarian or want to cut back on meats, make sure you get all the nutrients you need through a balanced diet. If a plant-based diet is well planned and nutritionally adequate, it may provide health benefits and lowering the risk of heart disease, […]

5 Key Nutrients For Healthy Pregnancy

By Sally Shi-po POON (Registered Dietitian)   Eating a healthy balanced diet is crucial to support the optimal development of your baby during pregnancy. Your body has a greater demand for nutrients which can be met by making wise food choices. Dietitian Sally Shi-po Poon explains the 5 key nutrients for a healthy pregnancy.   […]

5 Fad Diets: A Dietitian Lays Down The Facts

By Sally Shi-po POON (Registered Dietitian)   It’s summertime again! Many people would like to shed a few pounds and get tempted by a range of ‘quick fix’ diets offering the promise of rapid weight loss. Sadly, there is no magic solution for sustainable weight loss. Our dietitian Sally Shi-Po Poon reviews the top 5 […]

5 Foods To Boost Your Mood Naturally

By Sally Shi-po POON (Registered Dietitian) What we eat may affect the way we feel. Latest research found that a Mediterranean diet comprising higher intakes of fruit and vegetables, fish and whole grains, was associated with lowered risk of depression in adults. Dietitian Sally Shi-po POON suggests the following foods to help you boost your […]

5 Foods To Eat For Healthy Hair And Nails

By Sally Shi-po POON (Registered Dietitian)   Shiny hair and strong nails are hallmarks of beauty. The solution could be in your kitchen! Here are 5 beauty foods that dietitian Sally Poon recommends to eat for healthy hair and nails.   Eggs Eggs deliver all the amino acids our body needs to build protein. Protein […]

Thinking Of Starting A Family? Read These Health Tips First

By Sally Shi-po POON (Registered Dietitian) Infertility is defined as not being able to get pregnant after one year (or longer) of regular unprotected sex. It is said to affect 1 in every 6 couples. While couples cannot control all of the factors causing infertility, they can control their eating habits and lifestyle as these […]

Thinking Of Going Gluten-free? Read This First

Sally Shi-po POON (Registered Dietitian) Gluten-free diet has gained considerable popularity in the general population over the past decade. Many celebrities and athletes have acclaimed it as an effective way to better health, weight control and athletic performance. There is, however, a lack of scientific evidence to support these claims. On the contrary, there are […]

5 Dietitian-approved Foods To Fight Inflammation

By Sally Shi-po POON (Registered Dietitian) Inflammation can be a long-term physiologic response to environmental toxins, infection, poor nutrition, stress, and aging. Chronic inflammation causes damage to body cells and eventually lead to diseases such as cancers, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, depression, and Alzheimer’s disease. Studies have found that some nutrients from natural foods are […]

Why A Colourful Diet Is Good For You

By Sally Shi-po POON (Registered Dietitian) We’re always hearing that we should “eat the rainbow”, but what does that mean and why is a colourful diet so highly recommended by dietitians all over the world? Not only are they appealing, the phytochemicals that give foods their colour are packed with nutritional benefits. I have grouped […]

5 Dietitian-approved Festival Foods For The Holiday Season

By Sally Shi-po POON (Registered Dietitian) Eating healthily during the holiday season must be one of the most difficult challenges for many people as we’re often surrounded by lots of delicious food and drink. Although there is no reason to feel guilty about enjoying yourself on those special days of the year, it’s worth remembering […]

5 Dietitian-approved Foods For Healthy Bones And Joints

Sally Shi-po POON (Registered Dietitian)   We are using our bones and joints every day for body movements, but they can deteriorate over time. Therefore, it is essential to keep our bones and joints healthy in order to stay active and prevent osteoporosis. The best strategy is to have a balanced diet with adequate intake […]

5 Foods To Eat For Healthy Skin

By Sally Shi-Po Poon (Dietitian)   Everyone wants glowing and flawless skin. Unfortunately, as we age, extrinsic skin damage develops due to exposure to UV radiation, stress, poor nutrition, alcohol intake and environmental pollution. Although good skin is partially influenced by our genes, having a balanced diet that is packed with antioxidants can help your […]

5 Flat-belly Foods To Eat This Summer

By Sally Shi-Po Poon (Dietitian) You’ve been exercising hard and eating clean for weeks to get a flat belly this summer. However, you may wake up some days feeling bloated and miserable. Whatever the reason is – it can be the menstrual cycle, eating too much salt or something else; here are foods and dietary […]

Dietician Explains How To Eat Your Way To A Healthier Body

Summer is nearly here, which means most people are now beach body ready. However, for those of you who have left it a bit late to get into shape and live a healthier lifestyle, help is at hand. One of the most important aspects of leading a healthier life is ensuring you have a healthy, […]

10 Ways To Eat Healthy When Dining Out

By Sally Shi-Po Poon (Dietitian) Hong Kong is known for its gluttonous cuisine; there are just so many unhealthy options for dining out. But when you do eat out, are you actually thinking about whether it’s good for your diet too? Restaurant dishes are often higher in fat, sugar and salt—they’re also served in much […]

5 Dietitian-approved Nutrition Tips To Get Fit For Summer!

By Sally Shi-Po Poon (Dietitian)   With summer coming up, everybody would love to have a slim body shape ready to hit the beach! Here are some practical tips to help you get fit and healthy:   Very often people go straight on a low-carbohydrate diet when they want to lose weight. However many of them experience […]