Good Healthy Advice

Tony Ferguson Recipe of the Week: Creamy Coconut and Lime Chicken

Ingredients (Serves 2)

• Chicken fillets (240g for females OR 440g for males), chopped into 2 by 2cm cubes
• 1 Small onion, finely sliced
• 2 Cups of eggplant, chopped into 2 by 1cm pieces
• 8 Medium mushrooms, sliced
• 2 Cloves of garlic, crushed
• 1 Tablespoon of coriander (parsley may be used instead if preferred)
• Juice from 1 small lime
• 2-3 drops of coconut essence
• Salt and pepper as desired for seasoning
• 1 Cup of water
• 3 Tablespoons of low fat smooth ricotta cheese

Paracetamol safe to give to children

Sourced: Asthma Foundation NSW

Recent media reports have suggested an association between the use of paracetamol in the first year of a child’s life and an increased risk of them developing childhood asthma, hay fever and eczema at age 6-7 years.

Further randomized controlled research is required to determine whether paracetamol actually contributes to asthma in childhood.

Asthma Foundation NSW advises that it is still safe to use paracetamol for pain relief and fever in children, and that paracetamol is the best medication to use in this situation.

Hunter schools go bananas in war on obesity

Sourced: Cancer Council

Fresh bananas and apples have toppled chocolate and doughnuts from the traditional school fundraising drive as research reveals the fatty snacks leave a sour taste in parents’ mouths.

A leading parent group survey shows eight out of ten* parents disagree with unhealthy fundraisers, as more than 20 Hunter primary schools introduce fruit and vegetable alternatives in a move against obesity.

Hunter families have devoured the nutritious deal, having bought about 800 bargain priced boxes – or about 50,000 pieces of fruit and vegetables - since Cancer Council NSW’s Fruit n Veg Fundraiser launched in August.

Tammy Wilson, Nutrition Project Officer at Cancer Council NSW said the program had been a resounding success at participating schools, which have jointly raised more than $4,000 for resources and equipment - a figure set to reach about $7000 by the years end.

Dupe your kids with 'bite-sized' snacks

Source: AAP

Children are more likely to eat food they don't like if it's "bite-sized," research shows.

Tests have been carried out on 242 Australian children, aged 7 to 12, to find out their eating preference based on shape, flavour and repeated eating.

Biscuits were offered in varying sizes, also ranging from sweet to sour, in an experiment that ran over three weeks.

Nutritionist Dr Gie Liem said it showed children were more likely to turn-off larger "bar-shaped" foods, and shape could even overrule taste.