DIET

Shop our in-store fresh offering to stock your fridge with vegan, organic, small-batch and other speciality health foods. We share a taste of two of our favourite local fresh suppliers for the month…

At Wellness Warehouse, we believe in supporting and showcasing the best local suppliers. 

We're spotlighting Numesa Kefir as part of our Fresh Approach campaign this month...

Wellness Ambassador and Yoga Instructor Joelle Sleebos reviews her current favourite teatime treat. 

Visit our deli to stock up on everything from fresh juices and vegan dairy alternatives to innovative relishes, readymade meals and more.

Here are some of our favourites this month...

There are times when life can feel like a race against the clock, with a seemingly endless list of responsibilities to fulfill. While the prospect of making changes to your diet may seem overwhelming, if you don’t have time to eat well, you could waste even more time feeling unwell. The good news is that there are a few simple habits you can adopt to make cooking and eating for optimal wellbeing an easily ritualised part of your day and life. Here are some of our favourites…

Harness the power of nutritional genomics at Wellness Warehouse…

Shop our in-store fresh offering to stock your fridge with vegan, organic, small-batch and other speciality health foods. Here’s a taster of what you’ll find…

Your health concerns could be caused by the dairy in your diet. Here's why...

Like fine wines, different honeys have different flavours, aromas and appearances, and personal preferences play a large part in what you pick from the shelf. But often, when faced with many attractive options, it's difficult to tell the difference between one or the other. Raw. Natural. Unheated. Irradiated. Pure. Organic. Badger friendly. Choice grade. What do these terms actually mean and how important are they when it comes to honey? 

Veganism is on the increase globally, with the lifestyle showing an explosion over the past three years. A rising awareness of the health impact of eating meat and dairy coupled with consumer awareness around ethically produced and environmentally sustainable food is to thank for the landslide movement.

If reading labels and ingredient lists seem confusing, this guide will help decode things like serving sizes, NRV's, nutrition claims and truths about fat and sugar content.

This chocolate brownie recipe is from Izelle Hoffman, an inspiring chef with a mission. Her charity organisation I'Mpossible oversees initiatives for underprivileged people around South Africa, focusing on nutrition, education, sports development and environmental sustainability.

Eating smart is all about being prepared. We take Sunday to prepare a balanced and nutritious menu for the week. Knowing you have a stack of healthy options prepared from Monday to Friday means a power week of good eating. This week-long menu is a mix and match of synergy, with five elements making up each dish. It's a formula that cuts out the hassle of wondering what to prepare. You simply use one ingredient from each of the five elements to create your delicious feast. All the ingredients are interchangeable, so you can be as creative as you like. Plate your dish by starting with your grain, then add your vegetable, spread, sprouts and seeds and top with your relish.

This recipe uses a pasta alternative that's made purely from chickpeas! Chickpeas are legumes - little pods of superfood goodness that are jam-packed with plant protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals.

Whether you're just starting to experiment with spinach in the blender or are already happily adding hemp, wheatgrass and spirulina to every smoothie, you're no doubt aware of the myriad benefits of getting as many greens into your morning drink as possible.

One of the most common questions for a dietitian is, "What should I eat before and after a workout?" While the answer often depends on the athlete and activity, some common truths apply for pre- and post-workout nutrition whether you're a weekend warrior or a seasoned veteran.

There are so many lifestyle and dietary choices to make - how do you know which is best for you? We look at flexitarianism - a plant-based lifestyle with the occasional inclusion of ethically sourced meat.

Plant-based health coach, endurance athlete and our September cover model Gary te Roller is passionate about helping people nourish their bodies and move toward their maximum potential. The picture of health, he certainly walks the talk. We uncover the secrets behind his success.

If you've ever suffered from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), this useful guide could pinpoint some of the foods that may trigger your symptoms. Although FODMAPs sounds pretty complicated, it's simply an acronym for the foods that can cause IBS symptoms.

Your body needs blood sugar ' in fact your brain runs on it. Take note though: the sugar your brain needs isn't the same sugar you put in your tea ' it's the glucose created when food is broken down in your system. When blood sugar is low, you tend to feel a bit fuzzy, battle to concentrate and can be irritable. Because humans are geared for survival, low blood sugar levels lead to cravings ' your body knows you need an injection of sugar, fast. Your brain will often look for the quickest source of energy, and that might be an unhealthy high-calorie doughnut. With this quick sugar injection, you'll just as quickly get the low ' meaning you'll crave another high energy snack and it can become an unhealthy cycle of cravings and sugar slumps.

From mind-sets and myth-busting to emotions and mood; we unpack the various ways you can effectively manage your relationship with sugar.

From blackstrap molasses to lucuma, we take you through our top ten sugar substitutes and how to best use them in your daily meals.

Our sense of taste helps us identify toxins and maintain nutrition. It's a sense that's meant to act as guidance for our survival. Researchers gauge that taste came into being about 500 million years ago, when creatures developed the ability to sense prey in the ocean, determine whether it was edible and have the perception of enjoyment. We look more deeply into the different tastes and why it's important to include each taste in your diet.

If you'd like to keep yourself absolutely healthy during wintertime you may want to take some natural antibiotics. There are many herbs and foods that have powerful antibiotic, anti-fungal and antibacterial effects that are easy to make part of your daily routine. We look at garlic, Echinacea, colloidal silver and Pau D'arco. These natural solutions have deep healing attributes and are hard working preventive options.

Beryn Daniel, co-founder of Soaring Free Superfoods and co-author of Rawlicious and The Magic of Superfoods shares the inspiration behind their Vanilla Dream Super Shake, and gives us 3 delicious Vanilla Dream recipes.

We take an in-depth look at plant protein and how you can seamlessly cut meat from your diet while still getting all the protein you need to keep healthy

If you are moving away from dairy, you might want some help finding alternatives. Below is a list of delicious options and an explanation of reasons people choose not to eat or drink dairy.

Not everyone is an immediate fan of fermented foods like kimchi and kraut. Knowing what to eat them with can make all the difference. If you've heard about the probiotic and overall health benefits of the fermented veggies but are not quite sure what to do with them, we're here to help!

SIMPLIFYING HEALTHY EATING WITH SUPERFOODS Beryn Daniel, co-founder of Soaring Free Superfoods, monthly recipe contributor and co-author of Rawlicious and The Magic of Superfoods shares her passion for bringing 'nutritious and delicious' together.

Chicken soup has a standing ovation in the food performance Oscars. There's good reason for it too. Research has found all sorts of benefits that make it one of the smartest meals to keep the body fortified against colds or flu. Marlien Wright, author of The Yoga Kitchen (Jacana) offers us a recipe filled with vitamins and goodness.

Set your morning up with a meal that soothes your digestion. From blueberries and apples, kefir and chia, to flax seed and salmon, we bring you tummy-loving recipes.

We look at the benefits, the dangers and the purpose of exclusion dieting, and how eliminating foods can help you live a more balanced life and aid in a supportive relationship with food.

Bone broth is easy to prepare at home, very inexpensive and a simple way to fill up on important nutrients. It may not sound immediately appealing, but bone broth has become the latest superfood that's both tasty and packed with health benefits.

Valued since ancient times, hemp grows like a weed, yet it can be used for virtually everything in our daily lives. Food, personal care products, textiles, paper, construction materials and even health. So what does one of the oldest crops in the world have to do with helping you live life well? Explore some more'Valued since ancient times, hemp grows like a weed, yet it can be used for virtually everything in our daily lives. Food, personal care products, textiles, paper, construction materials and even health. So what does one of the oldest crops in the world have to do with helping you live life well? Explore some more'

Have you ever seen a dog licking sand? It's because of the minerals that are found in the earth. If you didn't pay attention during science class in school, you may have missed the periodic table ' but it's actually quite important to your everyday health. Minerals are basically elements (like magnesium, iron, chromium, etc.) and they make up everything ' the universe as well as you.

Are you aware of the wealth of nutritious fodder that's hiding in plain sight all around you? Would you consider forgoing the supermarket and going back to your gatherer roots? 

Improving your health often involves learning about new ingredients and how to enjoy their benefits in your daily life. We take a look at three of our favourite healthful additions this month.

If you had to design the ultimate 'high on nutrition' green juice or smoothie for maximum daily healing power, what would it be? We ask a nutritional chef, a wellness coach and a naturopath for their favourite healing elixirs.

Going sugar-free can help you maintain a healthy weight, improve your concentration, increase your energy, stabilise your mood, balance your hormones, and more.

Going gluten-free is easier than you think. Take action towards better health for yourself and your family by preparing quick meals and snacks free from the health-impairing substance.

Here are 5 of our favourite 'free from' staples to join you in your healthy life journey.

Even though indigenous African foods tend to be sidelined by mainstream nutrition advice, Africa has some immensely healthy options. Those following traditional African diets rich in indigenous food have markedly low rates of obesity, cancer, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses. Healthy living expert Asunta Simoloka outlines four traditional African foods with amazing nutritional benefits.

Give yourself five days to explore the tasty, healthy alternatives to your favourite dairy foods, and you'll be amazed by how much you enjoy the transition to a dairy-free lifestyle. Going dairy-free needn't be a sacrifice for the sake of your health ' it can introduce you to an array of amazing new creations you'll love.

The what and why behind the 'free from' food movement You'll likely have noticed a slew of 'free from' foods appearing on supermarket shelves. Things like lactose-free yoghurt, sugar-free chocolate and gluten-free snacks are popping up all over. If you're wondering why this is the case, and whether you should be trying them yourself, read on.

There's a growing movement to give up sugar for the health benefits this offers. You may have considered it, but feel at a loss where to begin. Here are some sugar facts and tips that will help you on your way.

Sweet tooth and training for a fit bod? No worries, try out this 'goodie goodie' and you can have a treat without worrying about the bulge. Here's a recipe that won't sabotage your summer workout routine.

Satisfy your sweet tooth with this rich chocolate indulgence using only the finest of ingredients.

With summer around the corner, now is the time to get your summer body ready. A fun-filled, productive workout regime will help you get there more quickly. Here are some tips on how to eat before and after exercising.

Low fat eating has been upstaged by low carb diets and is fast becoming a more popular way to eat. Dr Westman, Associate Professor of Medicine at Duke University and Fellow of the Obesity Society has spent many years researching diet, fats, carbohydrates, obesity and everything related. He's also developed a low carb eating strategy called the 'Adapt programme', and had enormous success with curbing diabetes and obesity related disease. We were fortunate to catch Dr Westman on a recent visit from America to get the low down on low carb.

We look at the different options and attributes of this muscle growing protein.

Spring is the perfect time to detox. After hearing that co-founder of Wellness Warehouse, Carlos Gomes and his wife Gia had both just finished 10 days doing a detox regime known as the Master Cleanse, we thought it was a perfect opportunity to get first hand feedback about the challenges, benefits and experiences of this seemingly extreme cleansing experience.

Make a variety of different colour cakes using this simple recipe.

Wellness Ambassador, Remo Belluco encourages a healthy start to the New Year with a meal plan to keep you energised.

Look after your loved ones and fall in love with your own heart this Valentines Day... starting from the inside out. Gone are the days of romantic Italian bowls of pasta for your date nights. It's out with the carbs and in with tasty, nutritious, heart-healing food - this Zucchini Carpaccio is just that.

Fast acting carbohydrates, sugar, preservatives and many additives in food can have concerning detrimental effects on children. But often we have no idea that foods we presume are good for us, are filled with additives. Monique le Roux Forslund, author of Healthy Food for a Healthy Baby (Struik Lifestyle) offers some guidelines to ensure kids get the best start in life.

We've searched high and low, have made countless batches of different bread batters and doughs; tried almost every combination of low carb ingredients; climbed mountains and swam oceans (okay, maybe we didn't do the last two) to try and bring you to the most perfect, most delicious Banting friendly bread. And guess what? We finally found it! Okay, so we didn't invent the light bulb or discover a new planet, but making the perfect Banting bread is close enough.

Vegans get their fats from plant-based food sources.  Healthy fats include omega 3, coconut oil, flaxseeds and hemp seeds or oil.  Load up on healthy plant sourced fat to give you energy, help absorb vitamins and minerals and much more.

FATS ARE ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS IN A GOOD DIET. FIND OUT WHICH ONE'S ARE MOST BENEFICIAL.

Why are more people now reacting to gluten, when we have been eating grains for 10,000 years?

Eight common foodstuffs are the most likely culprits causing allergies. Learn which foods they are and how to recognise the symptoms.

'Superfoods are foods that deliver more: more nutrients, energy and healing' ' Peter and Beryn Daniel Superfoods are nutrient rich foods considered to be especially beneficial for health and well-being. Ancient civilisations used these 'gifts of nature' for healing and nourishing the human body and modern research is showing us the healing ability of these super foods.

Cut out sugar with these sugar free alternatives. Here are our top 5 picks.

Bernice Griffiths tells us how her daughter's diagnosis with gluten sensitivity started her own personal wellness - and blogging - journey

Keep these feisty, protein filled black beans on hand. See how versatile they are with 3 recipes including veggie burgers, dessert brownies and bean sauce. 

This recipe has been adapted from The Magic of Superfoods by Peter and Beryn Daniel (Soaring Free)

When Brian Berkman's doctor told him he was dangerously unhealthy, he needed to radically change his lifestyle. Setting his mind to what seemed to be an impossible challenge, he lost 83 kg ' naturally.

Similar to lasagna, cottage pie is a staple on the home-cooked meal roster. With potatoes now out of the picture you can make a quick adjustment and use cauliflower to make that delicious crusty topping. 

Cooking for a partner brought  up in the mediterranean where food is a high art and rich cuisine abounds, is a challenge to say the least. Being Afrikaans, most of us 'plaas meisies'  are raised to show our men love through their tummies by cooking, and when my best attempts weren't matching up to his mamma's expertise, I called Mom to the rescue. One Friday evening she popped in armed with ingredients, stories, three master recipes and a bottle of wine.  This is where my pea soup comes from. It's been a success all the way. If ever I want to see my best friend Marine, all I have to do is say, 'I made Pea Soup.' Thanks Mom!

The idea of having chocolate for breakfast seems extremely indulgent. Although the French are known for their chocolate croissants at breakfast and hot chocolate drinks, this is more of a weekend indulgence than a daily staple. 

It's easy to eat a bowl of sprouts all on their own if you have a delicious dressing to go with them. Here are three winning recipes for salad dressing you can use on your sprouts or even on sweet potatoes, noodles, rice or grains.

New Paradigm Right now there seems to be a global consciousness toward healthy eating and living; unmatched by any other time in modern history. The food science industry and the research emanating from this industry has a significant impact on how countries, companies and organisations choose to invest. This in turn, will impact how we buy and what we buy. It's common for a new piece of popular research to significantly impact our buying and consuming behaviour. Just think Tim Noakes and the Banting movement and you get the idea.

Dieting has always been a hot topic but lately there's been a huge movement converting to the low-carb diet option. With any dietary programme one needs to look at long-term sustainability. Many of them promise to revolutionise the way we interact with food and offer multiple benefits to our health and wellbeing. But is this the case?

From the Real Meal Revolution by Prof Tim Noakes, Sally-Ann Creed, Jonno Proudfoot and David Grier (Quivertree).

With so many people following the paleo diet, fats have become less of a no-no and used more lavishly both in cooking and flavouring. In the Real Meal Revolution (Quivertree) it states that 'Fat is your friend. Fat fuels us. The body needs fat.' Here are three paleo-friendly fats worth keeping in your pantry.

The recent popularity of the high-protein, high-fat diet, more suited to carnivores has put vegetarianism under the spotlight, with some wondering whether you can get all the nutrition you need from a plant-based diet. Can you live healthily on plants alone? Wellness looks into the issue.

If you've ever struggled to curb a sweet tooth and then given yourself a hard time for not being able to do so, please stop beating yourself up right now. You are not alone!

When Fiona Stander's (current owner of Juice Revolution) husband decided to go on a seven-day juice detox, at first she was sceptical. He convinced her to join him, though, and she emerged a week later feeling cleaner, leaner, lighter and more energised than ever. This was the beginning of her very own Juice Revolution. Wellness magazine got the inside story from Fiona.

Everyone seems to agree that using gluten-free flours is tricky. It's not an exact science and many say baking results seem to differ almost every time. We say, take heart with some fool-proof recipes, get to know how to use all the different flours on offer and hone your baking skills for some incredibly delicious treats.

Packing an exciting and nutritious lunchbox for your little ones every day can be a challenge at best. But when they have food allergies and intolerances, finding healthy snacks can be a really hard task. Wellness Warehouse's dietitian Melissa Gomes is on hand to help.

A firm favourite with The Real Meal Revolution, this is the Banting man's version of Egg's Benedict, but better.

Try this very nutritious, sugar-free, chia and quinoa parfait. It's one of our favourite recipes from Sarah Wilson's I Quit Sugar.

Surveys have found that more than 60% of South Africans are overweight, obese, or morbidly obese, and that 22% of children aged 2-5 are overweight or obese. Being overweight puts you at risk for diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

This recipe comes from The Real Meal Revolution, a collaboration by Professor Tim Noakes, Sally-Ann Creed, Jonno Proudfoot and David Grier.

Although fat is back on the menu, that doesn't mean you can stop checking your grocery ingredients; be a bit savvy when it comes to choosing the right fat for your health

Are you struggling to get out of bed in the morning? Do you crash every night onto the sofa exhausted and brain dead? If all day energy is wishful thinking, your eating habits and food choices may need a review.

Exercise and diet go hand in hand - and the better you feed and fuel your body, the easier your workout session will be. A diet of raw, organic food will give you bounds of energy. Here's a quick and easy recipe full of energy-fuelling ingredients.

Natural Health tips from the College of Natural Health.

There's been a lot of to and fro in the dairy debate over the years, with various invested media and even governmental organisations claiming dairy is good for us, while many involved in the study and practice of nutrition advise against it.

About 80% of heart disease can be prevented through a healthy diet and lifestyle choices. That means for the old and young, staying fit, lowering cholesterol and cleaning up your eating plan. Ditch salt and processed foods and eat foods that actually help your heart. Here's our top 5 list:

Gluten free baking is becoming easier and easier with the broad array of gluten free flour alternatives available. Remember these flours do not rise like traditional flours, so bread and cakes are heavier but still delicious and healthy.

Natural Health tips from the College of Natural Health.

After a weekend of total chocolate indulgence, which believe me, I do not feel guilty about at all, but my stomach is suffering the consequences, there's nothing like a detox, to make amends and eliminate all those toxins.