Alana Maxwell Nutrition + Wellbeing

25/11/2023

Enjoying a weekend conference at The Secret Language of Food discussing the power of polyphenols in food and their influence on the gut and brain.

Low fruit and vegetable intake is in the top 10 risk factors for global mortality. Unfortunately this habit of low intake starts in childhood. In Australia only 6 out of 100 children eat the right amount of daily fruits and vegetables.

The secret power of fruits and vegetables lies in the polyphenol signalling properties, which switch on protective genes and antioxidant processes, and switch off inflammatory pathways. Inflammation damages cells, tissues, organs and can lead to disease.

Sugar and highly processed foods switch on inflammation, they are the most inflammatory inducing foods. Fruits and vegetables switch off inflammation.

28/09/2023

10/09/2023

Feeling empowered after an amazing education day yesterday for ADHD natural health solutions. This is NOT a disorder, just a different way the brain works. There are so many ways to support the brain pathways through supplements, diet and simple lifestyle additions for significant improvements to behaviour, motivation and cognition.

Having a few members in my household with this, I really understand how challenging it can be for parents navigating the school system for our ADHD children.

I offer hair mineral analysis and blood interpretation to assess which nutrients are making symptoms worse, and how to make the corrections and get improvements.

26/07/2023

Lunchbox inspiration;
Rice paper roll lover is this house, such an easy versatile lunchbox food.
Fill with 50% protein source and 50% vegetables. Why don't I use noodles? I know the takeaway places use 50-75% noodles, but have a closer look! This is mostly due to profit margins, noodles are cheap carbs, protein is expensive. Most lunch boxes are full of carbs and lacking in protein. Our kids need protein sources for brain pathways, growth, healthy mood and behaviour. Give them protein at lunch for better after-school moods!

Rice paper roll ingredients: chicken, finely grated carrot, avocado, lettuce, pesto.

09/07/2023

Last days skiing Queenstown with a couple of magic bluebird days. Thank you Queenstown and The Remarkables for your hospitality. Special thanks to The Remarkables Medical Team for assisting my daughter with her fall on the last run. She is recovering fine with no major injury, down temporarily but not beaten. Nothing like a ride on the Medical sled, not quite the same as Santa's sleigh when you're in pain, but a wonderful team of staff.

🎿

09/07/2023

Blueberries are the bomb.

06/07/2023

Family skiing and snowboarding in Queenstown. Intense sport needs good nutrition for intense demand on muscles and brain power for rapid decision-making.

We still seek a nutrition first principle, making breakfast a priority with wholegrains, fruit, protein rich and lots of healthy fats. We make our lunch in the morning to avoid queues, manage allergies, maintain the best nutrition and save money.

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05/07/2023

Ski and snowboard breakfasts in my house. 3 like it cooked, 2 like it uncooked.

Cooked version: eggs with GF toast and avocado with leftover mince and pasta from my lunch cookup.
Uncooked version: fruit and GF DF muesli 1 scoop collagen protein powder

05/07/2023

Multiple ways to get in your daily fruit needs.

04/07/2023

Fast, hot skiiers lunch for allergies and long cafe queues. So easy to whip this together in the morning in under 30mins. Sets you up for a great day.

No queues, no wait, no stress.

Olive oil into large pan, topped with 1kg bag of thinly sliced frozen vege.

Add 600g of minced meat into middle of the vege, to allow it to brown for 5mins. Mix altogether, add can of chopped tomatoes, seasoning, optional can of black beans to make it go further. Cook 15mins.

While cooking, boil the jug and cook quick pasta. Mix together and pack into thermos containers.

= hot nutrition
= full tummies
= sustaining energy
= happy family

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02/07/2023

Our mountain snacks for skiing and snowboarding. A combination of fast and slow energy ingredients and protein rich. This provides for both rapid energy needs and sustained energy over a longer time.
Fast energy ingredients: dried fruit, grains (crackers), starchy vegetables (pumpkin in the hummus)
Slow energy ingredients: nuts, coconut, dark chocolate, legumes (hummus)
Protein: nuts, seeds, hummus

07/06/2023

Excited to partner with Samford State School this year to support children's learning, energy, behaviour, resilience and sleep with nutrition. Samford State School focuses on the whole child and recognises nutrition is a core component to learning and development.

Every child participated in a fun incursion learning how food affects our body, how different foods help different parts, why we need to eat a rainbow of fruits and veges every day. Many children decided to eat more fruits and vegetables after this incursion, and even enjoyed tasting a green smoothie. Many children said they could eat green foods after this tasting session.

We will continue to support the school over the next year to continue these messages in the school environment and classrooms.