Megan Pentz-Kluyts Dietitian RD - SA & Associates

01/09/2025

Information Guide: The Impact of Non-Nutritive Sweeteners on Health and Cancer Risk

https://cansa.org.za/the-impact-of-non-nutritive-sweeteners-on-health-and-cancer-risk/

31/07/2025

Breaking the Silence Around Lung Cancer - CANSA - CANSA The Cancer Association of South Africa. It gives me great pleasure to introduce D'Allende ....sharing her story - both a 'survivor and a friend', we climbed Mt Kili and did the Inca together. She epitomizes strength. Sharing her story and hoping it brings hope and courage to others.

As the world marks World Lung Cancer Day on 1 August, CANSA is calling for greater compassion and awareness around one of the most stigmatised cancers. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths globally, but myths and blame continue to cloud understanding and response to this complex di...

22/07/2025

Many questions regarding Menopause and HRT. Take a listen, and become informed.

DISCLAIMER: This is only posted for educational purposes. Every woman must make an informed choice, together with their Healthcare Professional, that suits them best.

https://henpicked.net/menopause-hub/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/menopause-hrt-Dr-Heather-Currie-Henpicked.mp4

18/07/2025

Hummus is a nourishing, delicious snack from the Middle East that’s really quick and easy to make. It is a mix of cooked or canned chickpeas and tahini (sesame paste) that’s packed with fibre, protein, vitamins, and minerals.

For a tasty, healthy snack, eat it with vegetable sticks, whole-wheat crackers and warm toasted whole-wheat pita breads. You can find tahini at most big supermarkets these days.

**HUMMUS RECIPE**

Ingredients

4 tablespoons lemon juice
2 cloves of garlic, roughly chopped, to taste
2½ cups cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed
½ cup tahini
Sea salt, to taste
Water, as needed

Garnish:

1 tablespoon olive oil (or canola oil)
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
1 tablespoon parsley, chopped

Directions

1. Pour half the lemon juice, the garlic, and 1 tablespoon of water into a blender. Blend.
2. Add chickpeas and tahini, alternately adding lemon juice, until you have a creamy paste. Taste as you go, adding salt, more lemon juice, and garlic until desired taste is achieved.
3. Pour hummus into a serving bowl and make a swirl on the top to decorate it. Drizzle with olive or canola oil and sprinkle with paprika and then parsley.

Enjoy!

04/07/2025

To listen or watch, go to: https://cansa.org.za/podcast-on-the-cansa-couch.../
On the CANSA on the Couch – just in time for Corporate Wellness Week (1 – 5 July).
Hosted by Megan Pentz-Kluyts, CANSA Consulting Dietitian and Kudzai Nyaruve, CANSA Seal of Recognition Manager the episode features:
- Lorraine Govender, CANSA’s National Manager: Health Programmes, who shares how CANSA’s Employee Wellness Programme can benefit organisations.
- Marcel D’ Allende, a lung cancer survivor and transformation / change manager in corporate, Life and Consciousness Coach, who opens up about her personal journey and the critical role of mental health and support in the workplace.

To listen or watch, go to: https://cansa.org.za/podcast-on-the-cansa-couch-workplace-wellness/

Tune in to our latest episode of CANSA on the Couch – this episode is a must-watch for HR teams, managers, employees — and anyone who cares about creating healthier, more supportive work environments. In this powerful conversation, we unpack the importance of workplace wellness and support for e...

03/07/2025

https://www.anhi.org/resources/videos/good-nutrition-for-muscle-health-during-weight-loss

A great 3+minute video, which shows us how to maintain muscle during weight loss and discover the importance of protein intake and resistance exercises for preserving muscle. Enjoy!

In this 3:26-minute video, you’ll learn how to maintain muscle during weight loss and discover the importance of protein intake and resistance exercises for preserving muscle.

26/06/2025

Join us, as we discuss the power of plant-based nutrition and how it supports a healthier, balanced lifestyle, especially when it comes to reducing cancer risk.
( https://cansa.org.za/podcast-plant-based-nutrition-and-a-healthy-balanced-lifestyle-on-the-cansa-couch/ )

The latest episode of On the CANSA Couch is available! This week, we dive into the power of plant-based nutrition and how it supports a healthier, balanced lifestyle – especially when it comes to reducing cancer risk...

20/05/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ArakxsWH1/

Colorectal Cancer – The Power of Balance – Fibre and Gut Health

Small, consistent lifestyle changes can make a big difference to avoid colorectal cancer and refers specifically to maintaining good gut health.
https://cansa.org.za/colorectal-cancer-the-power-of-balance-fibre-and-gut-health/

Along with reducing the amount of red and processed meat consumed, staying hydrated and amping up intake of foods that contain probiotics and prebiotics, like certain types of yoghurt with added cultures, South Africans also need to make sure they get enough dietary fibre.

Dietary fibre is often referred to as the ‘seventh nutrient’ and is derived from sources, such as, cereals, grains, vegetables, fruit, legumes and nuts.

There is strong evidence that eating 90 grams of whole-grain food daily, reduces the risk for colorectal cancer by 17 percent.

Find out more about:
- the two main types of fibre found in food
- what to look out for when buying food
- early detection of
at the link above.

Eat well, stay active, and prioritise your wellbeing!

06/05/2025

Coffee is a drink of choice!

*Reduced Risk of Alzheimer's Disease*
Coffee doesn't just deliver a jolt of caffeine. Coffee also contains several bioactive polyphenol compounds that may support certain aspects of our health, including our brain health. And some evidence published in 2021 in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences suggests that coffee consumption may be correlated with a decreased risk of developing some neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and dementia. So, watch this space!

Coffee consumption is linked to some impressive benefits. But coffee isn't a perfect drink for everyone. Let's look at some of the possible downsides. First up is Anxiety.

*Anxiety*
Excessive caffeine intake is linked to an increased risk of experiencing anxiety, as per 2020 research published in the Nutrients Journal. Another study published in 2021 showed that greater caffeine intake was associated with anxiety, as well as with sleep disorders and poor appetite.

05/05/2025

Coffee is a drink of choice!

*Colon Health*
Coffee consumption has also been shown to help stimulate colonic motility, or the movement that occurs in your gastrointestinal tract. And some data published in the Nutrients Journal in 2021 shows that coffee drinking promotes the desire to have a bowel movement among around one-third of the population, thanks to this stimulation of colonic motility.

*Improved Mood*
Drinking a cup of coffee (or any caffeine-containing drink, preferably without added sugar) can give you a boost of energy.

Many coffee lovers will agree that a good cup of coffee is the ticket to happiness. And there is actual data to support that idea. A 2019 study published in the Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology showed that healthy adults experienced improved mood 30 minutes after caffeine consumption. Further, drinking regular coffee resulted in higher and more significant mood improvement than drinking decaf did. If that isn't enough to put a smile on your face, we don't know what is!

02/05/2025

Coffee is a drink of choice!!

The incredible actor Hugh Jackman once said, "The smell of freshly-made coffee is one of the world's greatest inventions."

If you are one of the many people who drink coffee daily and are wondering what this habit might be doing to your body, keep reading to learn more.

*Heart Health*
Would you believe that the simple act of drinking coffee may support your heart health?

According to a 2018 study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, habitual consumption of 3 to 5 cups of coffee per day is associated with a 15% reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease. A meta-analysis published in the "European Journal of Preventive Cardiology" concluded that moderate coffee consumption (3-5 cups per day) is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and stroke. Studies indicate that both tea and coffee are rich in antioxidants, which can combat oxidative stress, a contributor to heart disease. A moderate intake of tea and coffee can be part of a heart-healthy lifestyle. However, it is vital for individuals, especially those with existing heart conditions, to consult their healthcare providers for personalized advice.

Add more coffee benefits tomorrow....

22/04/2025