Cancellation Policy

CANCELLATION POLICY 1. Objectives and Background (a) Merridy Casson is committed to providing the best service in a timely manner. We aim to accommodate your needs. (b) Unfortunately, when a client cancels without giving adequate notice, it prevents another client from being served. This cancellation policy is used as a way of respecting the time […]

terms conditions

WEBSITE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF USE 1. About the Website (a) Welcome to http://backup.merridycasson.com (Website). The Website PROVIDES NATUROPATH SERVICES AND APPOINTMENTS (Services). (b) The Website is operated by MERRIDY CASSON(ABN 24 174 256 269). Access to and use of the Website, or any of its associated Products or Services, is provided by MERRIDY CASSON. […]

Autoimmunity

AUTOIMMUNITY This term describes any condition that arises from your body’s defence or immune system turning on itself and beginning to attack your own cells rather than fighting the invading bacteria, viruses or other foreign bodies. There are hundreds of Auto Immune conditions that have been identified. Here are a few: rheumatoid arthritis (RA), multiple […]

Fatigue and Energy

FATIGUE AND ENERGY Fatigue makes everything we do seem more difficult and can rob us of enjoyment, enthusiasm and our quality of life.  What is fatigue? Fatigue describes the physical and/or mental state of being tired. It is not uncommon to experience both together. Many people are aware that when you are fatigued you struggle […]

SIBO

SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) SIBO occurs in the small intestine as suggested and it can cause debilitating symptoms. When microorganisms from the large bowel find their way into the small intestine, due to a faulty ileocecal valve or other trauma to the bowel, such as a bout of gastroenteritis or surgery, they multiply quickly […]

CIRS

CIRS (Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome) This is a progressive, multisystem and multi-symptom illness caused by an abnormal immune response to certain biotoxins. The biotoxins enter the body through inhalation, ingestion, tick or spider bites and/or direct contact with contaminated water sources. Once in the body they begin circulating, they bind to receptors and start causing […]

WEIGHT LOSS

There is so much conflicting information available to us today confusing many people in their quest to lose weight. The outdated view that weight loss is simply about eating fewer calories than you burn through exercise, has been scientifically rejected. We now know that calorie restriction slows the metabolism, makes you hungry and ruins your […]

STRESS

STRESS Stress does not discriminate on age or gender, with both men and women of any age feeling the effects of stress in some point in their life. However, what is stressful for one person may not be for another, as everyone reacts to stress in different ways. In fact, stress can be so engrained […]

SLEEP

SLEEP Sleep is a normal body process that allows the body and brain to rest. Even though we spend about one-third of our life sleeping, many people struggle to achieve a good quality sleep on a regular basis. Although we may ‘switch off’ while we are asleep, our body continues to carry out many functions, […]

SKIN ISSUES

SKIN ISSUES The skin plays an extremely important role in the body as a protective layer from bacteria, as a body temperature regulator, a sensory organ and an organ of elimination. Unfortunately, many people will suffer from a skin condition at some point in their life, whether in a mild form or much worse. Eczema, […]

PRECONCEPTION AND PREGNANCY

PRECONCEPTION AND PREGNANCY Congratulations on your decision to become parents and to optimise your health for both you and your baby. Conception involves both female and male partners equally. That’s why it’s essential to support the health of both partners in the time leading up to conception, in order to give your new baby the […]

POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME

PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) PCOS is an endocrine disorder associated with hormonal and cardiometabolic complications. It has become highly prevalent in Western countries, in Australia affecting up to 26% of women. While half of all PCOS patients present with insulin resistance and obesity, all patients share a primary defect in androgen production. The majority of […]

MENOPAUSE

MENOPAUSE If you are like one of the many women who have reached perimenopause or menopause and just don’t feel like you anymore, keep reading. Many of us have one day taken a long look in the mirror and wondered who was looking back at us. Our skin may be duller, hair could be thinning […]

GUT HEALTH & IBS

GUT HEALTH & IBS   Your digestive system comprises of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, made up of organs including the mouth, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, rectum and anus, as well as accessory organs such as the liver, pancreas and gallbladder, which support digestive processes. As the food you eat travels through your GI tract, these […]

FEMALE HORMONES

FEMALE HORMONES A healthy menstrual cycle generally reflects a healthy lifestyle. Changes in mood, along with symptoms of pain and discomfort associated with menstruation, are too often accepted as ‘just a normal part of being a woman’. Nevertheless, despite being common, if and when symptoms do arise, they should be viewed for what they are […]

DETOX

DETOX ADVICE ADELAIDE Detoxification is a natural metabolic process your body undertakes every day to help eliminate the environmental, dietary, and internally created toxins we are all exposed to. This process changes toxins into less harmful substances, which are then excreted by the body. If you feel tired, inflamed, suffer allergies, reproductive issues, or experience […]

ALLERGIES & FOOD INTOLERANCES

ALLERGIES & FOOD INTOLERANCES Allergies occur when the immune system reacts to substances in the environment that are harmless for most people, such as house dust mites, pet dander, pollen, insect bites and stings, moulds and certain foods. Take our Allergy and Reactivity Questionnaire (MCAS) to help determine if you need to investigate further. Allergy […]

12 Week Shake It Weight Management Program

OVERVIEW This weight loss program is for those people who are serious about losing weight in the most healthy and effective way, but require extra motivation and regular input and feedback. If you have found it hard to shift even just a few kilos, then this is the one for you. There may be underlying […]

10 Week Weight Management Program

OVERVIEW A weight loss program for people who want to improve their health, energy, sleep and hormones, and reset their weight to a healthier range. This customised health program offers menus and recipes, lifestyle recommendations and ongoing support for optimal health 10 Week Weight Management Program In 10 weeks you will: Change your eating habits […]

8 Week Weight Management Program

OVERVIEW This weight loss program is for optimising health and wellbeing for the long-term, with customisation and ongoing support. The focus is not on weight loss alone, rather it is to identify reasons why weight loss has been difficult, eg. hormonal imbalances, poor sleep, overwhelming stress, inappropriate food & exercise choices, etc. The intention is […]

Pregnancy Program

OVERVIEW Healthy parents make healthy babies! When planning for pregnancy, the health of both partners is of great importance. At the time of conception, producing healthy sperm and eggs will give your child the best possible start in life. Even before you plan to conceive, a detox may be worthwhile preparation for both parents-to-be. By […]

Stress Less Program

OVERVIEW Stress (or a very busy lifestyle) affects everyone differently. Often our daily stressors are exacerbated by poor sleep, poor food choices, sedentary lifestyle and emotional overload.  A customised program can help to identify your main stressors and create a recovery path ahead. This will include strategies for coping with acute stress and long-term management […]

Sleep Program

OVERVIEW This is a 10-Day Sleep Reset Program to help you realign your circadian rhythm (sleep cycle) by setting a new sleep routine. The focus is on completing a number of easy steps daily for 10 days so that you can achieve a better quality of sleep for the long-term. 10-Day Sleep Reset Program In […]

Detox Program

OVERVIEW The process of detoxification protects every cell in the body from the ravages of oxidative stress and ageing. Our bodies are designed to naturally detoxify on a daily basis. However, our lifestyle choices often impact on our liver & kidney’s innate ability to achieve this effectively. Regular detoxification is essential for the long-term health […]

Detoxification

Is a detox really necessary? Over 20 years of clinical experience has confirmed for me that a large portion of the population regularly suffers from annoying symptoms such as headaches, excessive wind, bloat, fatigue, foggy brain, sore muscles & joints and constipation or diarrhoea (or both). While these are seen as niggly complaints and are […]

Hormone Health

Feeling irritable, anxious, moody, overweight or fatigued a lot? Hormonal imbalances are often overlooked especially when it comes to weight gain, inflammation and chronic disease. The main hormone disruptors are insulin, thyroid, cortisol and sex hormones. THYROID The thyroid hormone plays a vital role in maintaining healthy body weight acting like our very own metabolic […]

Allergies & Food Intolerances

Allergies & intolerances defined Allergies occur when the immune system reacts to substances in the environment that are harmless for most people, such as house dust mites, pet dander, pollen, insect bites and stings, moulds and certain foods. Take our Allergy and Reactivity Questionnaire (MCAS) to help determine if you need to investigate further. Causes […]

Energy Fatigue

Exhausted all the time? The last place we may think of, but the first place to check is your gut! Digestive problems can impact on your entire body resulting in fatigue, allergies, mood disorders, arthritis, acne, dementia, autoimmune disease and much more. So restoring your gut to great health will go a long way to […]

Skin Conditions

OVERVIEW The skin plays an extremely important role in the body as a protective layer from bacteria, as a body temperature regulator, a sensory organ and an organ of elimination. Unfortunately, many people will suffer from a skin condition at some point in their life, whether in a mild form or much worse. Eczema, psoriasis, […]

Digestive Health

Make Healthy Life With Nature Food Cramping Bloating Diarrhoea Constipation Excessive wind Can’t shake a cold you’ve had for ever Constantly feel rundown and tired Bad breath Reflux Heartburn or indigestion Poor appetite Strong sugar cravings Tired of feeling sick and tired? Good health begins in the Gut Suffering from any of the signs above […]

Contact Us

Let’s Talk About Your Health Home > Contact Have questions or not sure where to start? Get in touch for a quick chat Whether you’re curious about how naturopathy could support your health or you want to discuss your symptoms, Merridy is happy to chat and guide you in the right direction. You’re welcome to […]

Blog

Adelaide Nutritionist WHAT TO EAT TO IMPROVE CHOLESTEROL 6 Tips to Prevent Dementia 5 Easy Tips For a Better Sleep Fix Your Memory Now! 4 Tips to Reduce Your Food Allergies Boost Your Health, Grow Your Food Reflux Relief for People in a Hurry Want To Live Longer, Live Healthier? Who Doesn’t! How To Lose […]

Recipes

Simple, Tasty & Enjoyable Food Nourishing Recipes by Merridy Casson Welcome to Merridy Casson’s General Recipes page! As an experienced naturopath based in Adelaide, Merridy is dedicated to promoting health and wellness through nutritious and delicious meals. Here, you’ll find a diverse collection of recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, each crafted to nourish your […]

Areas of Specialty

Naturopathy as a health care system has the advantage of being able to treat complex, chronic disease. Because the intent is to discover the cause of illness or imbalance, the resultant health improvement is often magnified profoundly as health is restored. This patient-centred approach takes into account the unique genetic makeup of each individual as […]

Naturopathy

OVERVIEW Naturopathic doctors offer expert health care in the field of natural and preventative medicine. Unlike conventional medicine, Naturopathy views the body as one integrated system and, as such, offers a more comprehensive approach to healthcare. Naturopathy is suitable for all ages.  The demand from the public for more evidence-based natural therapies is ever-increasing. Contact […]

Home

Merridy CassonExperienced Naturopath Adelaide As a leading Adelaide Naturopath and trusted Nutritionist in Adelaide, Merridy Casson takes a holistic approach that focuses on uncovering the root causes of health concerns, not just treating the symptoms. Call today for a quick chat about your options. Call NOW BOOK NOW Weight Loss Specialist Achieving your desired weight […]

6 Tips to Prevent Dementia

Antiox1a

One of the most common health conditions that people have great concerns about is the fear of cognitive decline or dementia. Here are 8 ways to prevent this decline: 1) Diet plays a major role. Undeniable research shows that a diet high in processed carbohydrates & trans fats increases your risk of dementia around 90%. […]

5 Easy Tips For a Better Sleep

Portrait of a beautiful woman sleeping

Are you getting enough? More quality sleep = far better health. As adults we need somewhere between 7-8 hours of good quality sleep each night to allow our best chances of recovery and regeneration overnight. This helps maximise our energy levels and brain power for the following day. Poor sleep can impact on our health […]

Fix Your Memory Now!

Young Woman

How is your memory? Do you ever walk into a room to get something and can’t remember what you are there for? Poor cognitive function is a part of the ageing process. Right? Wrong! We now know that our lifestyle choices are what impacts our brain health and that if we made smarter choices over […]

4 Tips to Reduce Your Food Allergies

FruitVeg2

What are food allergies? When we think of food allergies we often recall peanut allergies, that may send a person to the emergency room with an anaphylactic reaction. This is called an immediate reaction or an IgE hypersensitivity reaction. It can result in swelling of the face, eyes and throat, extreme itchiness, severe rashes, swollen […]

Boost Your Health, Grow Your Food

gar2a

Boost your health – start with sprouts Start with sprouts One of the easiest ways of boosting your health and ensuring that you get the best quality, organic & freshest fruits & vegetables on tap, is to grow your own. Even if you start small with an indoor ‘sprouts’ garden for alfalfa, mung beans, pea […]

Reflux Relief for People in a Hurry

ref2

GERD Many people suffer from a condition called GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) and are often prescribed medication for high stomach acidity. But is this treating the real cause and is it the best treatment? Stomach pH It is a well-documented fact that as we age we produce less hydrochloric acid in our stomach. This acid […]

Want To Live Longer, Live Healthier? Who Doesn’t!

Telo

[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”] [et_pb_row admin_label=”row”] [et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text”]… Start by looking after your “telomeres”. These are the tiny end units of our DNA strands, which prevent the DNA from unraveling. (… Think of a shoelace which has it’s ends bound tightly.)  As our cells replicate our telomeres shorten. Longer telomeres lead to longevity. So how do […]

How To Lose Belly Fat

bellyf fat

No amount of daily sit-ups will help you lose belly fat. Some lifestyle, exercise and dietary adjustments are necessary. Incorporate a few changes at a time so you are not overwhelmed. Exercise adjustments: Include HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) one to two times a week, for about 20 mins a session. Muscle tissue burns 3-5 times […]

Reduce High Blood Pressure Naturally

Corpse-Pose

We have all experienced a rapid heart rate as a response to a stressor at some time. Whether it is being late for work or school, not meeting a deadline or almost getting hit by a car when crossing the road, the stress will generally result in shallow, fast breathing that activates a release of cortisol, adrenalin […]

Weight Loss in Adelaide

Wine

We are very fortunate to live in a city that is world renown for it’s locally grown gourmet food, fantastic restaurants and nearby wineries in Mc Laren Vale, Clare Valley, Kangaroo Island and the Barossa Valley. The downside is that with all this high quality, easy to access food and wine, many of us find […]

Why Sitting is Bad for You!

Just as exercise can’t counteract the effects of smoking, it can not counteract the effects of sitting for lengthy periods of the day. Here’s Why Sitting is bad for you: After 1 hour of being seated – electrical activity in our muscles and our ability to burn calories both reduce significantly. After 3 hours – our […]

7 Ways to Ease Migraine Pain & Reduce Your Risk

Migraine headaches can be debilitating. Follow these 7 steps to help prevent future attacks and reduce the pain when you have a migraine. 7 Preventive Tips for Migraine Attacks Avoid processed foods containing nitrates – these are found in cured & processed meats, canned vegetables, packaged seafood, hotdogs, etc. Reduce or avoid common food triggers […]

Is Anxiety Getting the Better of You?

breathing deep fresh air

Most of us have felt the unsettling symptoms of anxiety at some point. Here are some daily tips to support better overall wellbeing and to help manage stress and anxiety: Daily Tips to reduce anxiety:   1) Connect with friends – keeping in touch with friends maintains our support network. 2) Exercise (ideally outdoors) – […]

5 Easy Steps to Stop Eating Processed Foods!

Junk Food

Processed foods may be convenient and sometimes cheaper, but don’t underestimate how they can damage our health in the long-run. 5 easy steps, to wean yourself off refined, processed foods: Avoid anything that comes in a packet with a bar code and a list of ingredients that you can’t pronounce. These are ultra-processed foods, which […]

4 Foods that Help Reduce Sugar Cravings

avocado

Excluding addictions to alcohol and drugs, the next greatest addiction is sugar. Refined sugar is a very powerful stimulant, which is added to almost all the prepared food we eat. It has a drug-like effect on the body, so people can develop a dependency on it. This is why it is so hard for many people […]

5 Lifestyle Changes that Could Prevent 80% of Heart Attacks

5-lifestyle tips

Adopt these 5 “low-risk” behaviours to help reduce your chances of heart attack. Here are 5 Lifestyle Tips: Choose a healthy diet – eat freshly prepared wholefoods including clean protein, good fats, high fibre vegetables, seeds & nuts, legumes, lentils and eggs; avoid refined, processed choices. Be physically active – choose to exercise each day […]

What Happens in Your Body When You Exercise?

runners

A large number of biological changes occur from head to toe, when you exercise. These changes occur in your: Muscles – which use glucose & ATP (a chemical compound that is in all living tissue), for contraction and movement. By increasing your breathing rate, more oxygen is introduced and your heart starts pumping more blood […]

Should I Be Taking Probiotics?

probiotics

The answer lies in paying attention to your body. If you have any of the following 7 signs, I suggest you take a therapeutic probiotic (high strength) to improve the balance of your gut bacteria: 7 Signs that suggest you may need probiotics: You have taken antibiotics in the last 6-12 months – you may […]

Will I Get Big & Bulky Lifting Weights?

women-lifting-weights

Many women are reluctant to start lifting weights, because they have visions of turning into female bodybuilders, with veins running through their biceps and chest. Keep in mind that these women are weight lifters to the extreme and their bodies are out of balance. This kind of build is not the typical result of weight lifting, because […]

Slow Metabolism? Fire it Up with These 4 Tips …

muscled girl

4 Tips to Fire Up your Metabolism: Do interval training – periodic fast-paced intervals raise your metabolic rate higher than a steady cardio workout can.  Drink green tea – this really does impact on your metabolic rate. Some green teas are quite bitter in taste, so find one you like and drink 3 cups a day! […]

Easy Steps to Feel Better Fast

Baked-Avocado-with-Eggs

Our brains are our control-centres, for decision-making and mood. Here are some easy steps to jump start your brain in the morning and feel better fast. Try These Simple Steps Water your brain on rising – your brain is 80% water, so even the slightest dehydration can elevate stress hormones and impair physical power and […]

Are Eggs Bad for Your Cholesterol?

eggs

Several decades ago we were misled into believing that eggs raised cholesterol levels and people were warned off consuming them. Broad-range studies (meta-analyses) have revealed that eggs do not have a detrimental impact on cholesterol levels and are actually one of the most healthful foods you can eat. All eggs are not created equal though: […]

What You May Not Know About Sleep!

sleep

Sleep affects every aspect of our life, but for many of us a sound and refreshing sleep completely evades us! Did you know: about 30% of us suffer from insomnia at some point in our life around 25% of children diagnosed with ADHD have a sleep disorder. When poor sleep is addressed, their symptoms disappear. one night […]

What We Should All Know about Homocysteine

Eat Your Greens

Homocysteine is a protein that occurs naturally in our blood. Sometimes when it’s conversion is impaired due to nutritional deficiencies, homocysteine levels rise and this is dangerous to our health. These high levels have been linked with cardiovascular disease, migraine, cognitive decline, diabetes, osteoporosis and macular degeneration. You can regulate your homocysteine levels by: reducing coffee […]

Boost Your Health with Apple Cider Vinegar!

ACV

Apple Cider Vinegar has been used in the kitchen and medicinally for a very long time.  3 healthful reasons to keep a bottle on hand: Sore throat – gargle with a mix of apple cider vinegar and warm water, 1 Tbsp vinegar and 1/2 cup of water, to relieve a sore throat. Gargle and swallow. Can […]

Calorie-Counting Does Not Work!

calories

Calories are not all created equal! Many people still believe that if you burn more calories than you consume, you will lose weight. This is a simplistic and outdated notion that has many flaws. The source of the calories makes all the difference – eg. identical calorie counts from fructose, glucose, protein and fat, will cause entirely different […]

Lose Belly Fat with these Two Key Dietary Changes

belly fat

No matter how well you exercise, if you are still eating processed foods, too many carbs and the wrong kinds of fat, all your efforts may be in vain. Eating right is the key for weight loss success and it is crucial when you are trying to get rid of visceral fat around your internal […]

4 Convincing Reasons To Do Squats!

squat

How Squats contributes to your Health Squats not only work your major leg muscles, but also help to: Build muscles in your entire body – squats provide an anabolic environment, which promotes muscle building throughout the whole body. Maintain mobility and balance – strong legs are crucial as we age. Core stabilising muscles are activated during […]

Top Tips to Keep Fruits and Veggies Fresh Longer

Variety of fresh fruit and vegetables

Do you sometimes bring home too many carrots, cucumbers and fresh lettuce, only to find them spoil and become rubbery carrots, slimy cucumbers and rusty lettuce? We have all done this at times. Science can answer some of this problem. Some fruits and vegetables are climacteric, that is, they emit ‘ethylene’ gas, which helps them […]

Do You Have the Guts?

Fibre

Our gastrointestinal tract (GIT) or gut is essentially a complex ‘tube’ that runs from our mouth right through the body to the colon. It is responsible for a multitude of functions: digestion, hydration, maintaining immunity, nutrient absorption and eliminating toxins. If it is not functioning properly, not only can you experience a host of uncomfortable symptoms, […]

To Defeat Stress, Eat What’s Best!

salmon

Here are 5 great foods to help you de-stress: Avocado – rich in glutathione which blocks your gut from absorbing bad fats, that cause oxidative damage. Also high in folate, good fats and potassium to help stabilise blood pressure. Berries – contain high levels of a particular antioxidant (anthocyanin) which helps improve cognition and slows […]

Tips to Turbo-charge Your Metabolism

Boost-Your-Metabolism

Genetics do play a role in our metabolic make-up, but our metabolism is also strongly influenced by our body composition, diet and lifestyle. These tips will help boost your metabolism into overdrive: Lift weights – build muscle with weight-bearing exercise. This increased muscle mass means we burn more calories even at rest. Choose clean food – […]

Cholesterol-Lowering Foods

Fresh Vegetables, Fruits and other foodstuffs.

Cholesterol is a white, insoluble, waxy substance that is manufactured in your liver.  Your body needs cholesterol for many vital metabolic processes, such as making hormones, producing vitamin D, producing bile acids to help digest fat, etc. When people regularly consume foods high in saturated fats (Salami, sausages, processed meats, deep-fried foods, etc), their livers manufacture […]

Preventing Panic Attacks

anxious2

Millions of people suffer way too much anxiety. They can spend time predicting the worst, trying to avoid conflict, being wracked by nervousness and chronic muscle tension. It’s as if their “idle” is set too high and they frequently experience self-doubt, fear and panic. The good news is you can take control of your symptoms […]

Is A Good Night’s Sleep Only a Dream?

insomnia-cartoon

Sleep deprivation is hazardous to our health! Major health risks include: weight gain, Type 2 Diabetes, ADHD, depression, anxiety, Alzheimer’s, stroke, etc. Millions of Australians have trouble sleeping and it is progressively getting worse with an ever increasing number of electronic gadgets and bad habits. When you fail to get enough sleep, there is decreased blood […]

Close to Tears Often?

sad

We can learn to build emotional resilience, to help negate the effects of stress. Here are 5 tips to get you there: Practice abdominal breathing and lengthen your out-breath to calm your nervous system, ie. breathe in for 4 counts and out for 8. Accept that adversity is part of life and be prepared to experience […]

Is Your Extra Weight Gain … water or body fat?

blog-snowman

Have you ever experienced a huge weight gain over the weekend, from a blown-out Saturday night on the town, with food and drinks aplenty? On the scales it may look like over 2 kgs or more. Relax. More than likely this does include an increase in water retention, although a small portion may also be fat. […]

Best & Worst Foods for your Skin

sugar

The 5 WORST foods for good skin health are: Sugar: eating excess sugar causes elevated insulin levels, stimulating sebum production, which can result in acne breakouts. On average, Australians consume over 20 teas per day of sugar. Excess sugar also binds with collagen & elastin in the skin, resulting in wrinkles. Dairy: these are pro-inflammatory foods, which […]

Sugar Tax or Fix the Sugar Cravings?

Canned-Soft-Drinks

Australian teenage boys now consume on average more than 38 tsp of sugar per day. Over half of the Australian population consumes more sugar than the daily recommendation of the World Health Organisation, which is less than 13 tsp of sugar per day.  Most of it is coming from sugary drinks and processed food. Public […]

Are You on Toxic Overload?

foods

Every day we are subjected to many thousands of chemicals and toxic compounds in our environment. Adding to this burden are our internal toxins, many of which originate from an unhealthy gut. Further disruption may occur with poor dietary and lifestyle choices & emotional stress, that may cause even more deterioration of the gut lining, […]

Puzzled by Weight Loss?

puzzled

Our ability to lose weight is not just about what we eat and how much exercise we manage to squeeze in on a daily basis. These are only 2 pieces of a more complex puzzle.   Sleep and stress are often overlooked and yet they are absolutely critical for optimal health. But neither contain calories, […]

Don’t Delay, Get Healthy Today!

Instructor Taking Exercise Class At Gym

We often think of “getting healthy” as something we’ll get around to once we’ve taken care of all the important things. Why is it that we don’t have time to exercise, or shop for nourishing food or cook gourmet healthy meals?  Lack of time seems to drive everything. Fast-food has become a multi-billion dollar industry. […]

Are You Stoking the Fire?

Campfire

The human body is designed to cope with short-term inflammation. For example, when we sprain an ankle or cut a finger, the affected area turns red, swells and becomes hot & sore. This inflammatory reaction is our immune response in overdrive, attempting to fight off infection and creating a protective cushion around the injury while it […]

The #1 Reason Most Diets Fail

bloodSugar

The #1 reason that diets fail is that they do not recognise the importance of balancing blood sugar levels, even in healthy individuals. You don’t have to be a diabetic to have a faulty insulin mechanism, that can affect your sugar or glucose metabolism. Important reasons for stabilizing your blood sugar levels: When blood sugar levels are […]

5 Compelling Reasons to Drink Protein Shakes

bananasmoothie

Macronutrients (or major dietary nutrients) include proteins, carbohydrates and fats. They are all vital to our good health and wellbeing. The building blocks of protein are amino acids. When digested, protein foods like meat, chicken, fish, eggs & nuts, are all broken down into these smaller units for absorption.  Whey protein (from dairy) provides the […]

Are Carbs the Enemy?

carbs

For some people, the answer is yes. New research reveals that we all have a “carbohydrate tolerance level”. Put simply, this is the amount of carbohydrate intake an individual can tolerate before they show signs of metabolic disturbance. All individuals sit on a spectrum in this regard. Carbohydrate consumption is not detrimental to health – […]

Preventing Holiday Weight Gain

xmas

Over the festive season, many people routinely put on from 2-4 kilos of body weight. This year, make a difference to your Xmas celebrations 7 top tips for preventing weight gain: Fill up on raw or fresh produce when you begin eating. Focus on low GI fresh vegetables to start the meal. Select from a large fresh […]

Why Snacking is a GOOD thing!

snacks

Should we snack between meals? Eating three square meals a day used to be the catch-cry in years gone by. All of the current research puts this to bed, in favour of 5 smaller meals per day or 3 small meals & 2 planned snacks. However you label it, grazing through the day is the […]

Switch Off Your Sugar Cravings!

bowl sugar

Apart from alcohol and drugs, the next biggest addiction in the Western World is “sugar”. Refined sugar is a very powerful stimulant, which has a drug-like effect on the body, so people can develop a dependency on it. What are sugars?  Sugars belong to one of the major nutrient groups, called carbohydrates. This food group includes: […]

3 Ways to Turn Back the Clock

dumbbell

Nothing ages a person more than a stooped posture and diminishing strength, ie. muscle wasting. Some side-effects of ageing include: decreased muscle mass and strength, limited mobility, reduced aerobic capacity, inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and osteoporosis, increased susceptibility to diabetes, and there is now clear evidence of the link between sedentary lifestyle and  memory […]

Secrets to Fat Loss

Protein

Four scientifically proven tips to losing fat: Eat 3 meals & 2 snacks per day, every day. This boosts the “thermogenic” effect of food, which means once your food is digested, the energy produced is utilised in the fat-burning process.  Include “good fats” in small amounts with each meal, as they encourage fat burning and […]

Beat Stress Before it Beats You …

yoga

What is Stress Doing to Your Body? A chronic state of stress can have widespread negative effects, such as:   Poor digestion ? reduced digestive secretions can lead to symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhoea, IBS or reflux. Irregular blood sugar control ? the hormone cortisol signals the release of sugars into […]

Crank Up Your Metabolism!

crank

Eat and exercise right and speed up your metabolism now!  One reason people tend to gain weight as they age is because their metabolism slows down dramatically, often due to poor lifestyle choices. Eg. less exercise, overeating, eating too few meals, or eating too many refined processed carbohydrates. Other reasons may include: taking certain medications, […]

Extreme Weekly Weight Loss Tips With Merridy

healthy v junk

Top 2 Tips for this week: A new eating plan is a challenge to begin. Our eating habits are ingrained and long-term. They take time and effort to change. Be patient and keep aiming for your goals. We need to change the way we eat for a lifetime. Aim to eat clean, healthy meals most […]

Fat versus Muscle – What you need to know!

muscle-vs-fat

Weight loss is not all about your weight on a set of scales. It’s about understanding your body composition, ie. what percentage of your body is muscle and how much is fat? This muscle to fat ratio determines just how healthy and balanced your body really is. The more muscle you have, the easier it is to burn […]

Quick & Easy Weekly Weight loss Tips With Merridy

hon blue 1

Top 2 Weight Loss Tips for this week: 1) Remove your hunger by enjoying a balanced meal. Quit dieting and start eating the right food at the right time of day, to lose weight. 2) Breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day. Eat your first meal no later than 8am to get […]

Natural Weight Loss Tips Without Exercise With Merridy

f & v 2

Get your weekly weight loss tips here! Top 2 tips for this week: 1) Spring clean your pantry now. Clean out all of the foods that are not going to move you in the right direction. Pass on any foods not on this list: quality protein (lean meats, fish/seafood, free range chicken/turkey, eggs, yoghurt & quality […]

Burn fat while you sleep.

weights

Sounds like a gimmick? It isn’t. No pills needed. You can quite literally put yourself in a position to burn more fat while you are at rest. Lean muscle tissue is the key to burning fat. Our muscle tissue acts like a furnace. The more we have, the greater our ability to burn fat and keep […]

5 Reasons to include quinoa in your diet

quinoa

Reasons to Include Quinoa in your diet 1) Quinoa is a seed which is high in amino acids (protein) and essential fats. It also contains healthy low GI carbohydrates which help to satisfy hunger and provide a source of energy. 2) It is a great alternative to wheat, while although it’s not a grain, it can […]

Are you Deficient in Vitamin D?

sunny day

Do You Get Enough Vitamin D? Take this quick test: 1) Are you out in the sun daily, for 30-40 mins in Winter (in South Australia), with arms & legs exposed, around midday? 2) Are you in the sun daily, for 10 mins in Summer, with skin exposed, mid morning? 3) Would you consume oily […]

Finding it hard to get to sleep at night?

sleeping

Try a simple breathing exercise and you could be asleep in 60 seconds! For the “4-7-8 Method”, follow these easy steps: 1) Lie in bed on your back, legs out-stretched and arms by your sides. 2) Close eyes gently & relax. 3) Take a deep breath in, and let out slowly with a “whooshing” sound. […]