Food Investigators

Choosing your daily bread these days can be a complex and confusing decision, with entire supermarket aisles full of choices. So what’s best for you out of the wholemeals, wholegrains, whites, enriched whites, ryes... and the list goes on. And are those hand-baked artisan bakery breads worth the extra dough? Our bread is also about to be mandatorily fortified with folic acid. So what is it and why do we need it? All you ever wanted to know about this most popular staple in our diet is revealed.

When it comes to drinking water, there’s also a vast array of choices on the market. The latest craze to hit our shelves is the so-called ‘Wonder Waters’, those expensive bottled waters with added colours, flavours, vitamins and minerals. But are they any better for us than ordinary water or indeed those ‘fitness waters’ we’re encouraged to drink when exercising? Or are they just another expensive plastic bottle filled with extra sugar we don’t need, and vitamins we could get from far healthier and less fattening sources like fruit and veggies?

You may have read or heard recently that certain chemical food colours are being phased out in the UK, partially due to a study linking them with hyperactivity in kids. So why aren’t Australian authorities doing the same here? Well it seems the evidence linking these colours to kids health is not only inconclusive, but our kids don’t consume anywhere near the levels as the ones used in the UK study did. So these colours aren’t to be banned here, but if you want to avoid them anyway, there are plenty of natural food colours available so that your kids can have their coloured cakes and treats - and them too.

We all need this essential micronutrient in our diet for our thyroid gland to work properly, and for healthy brain development and function. But recent studies have shown that 43% of Australians are actually iodine deficient. So where do we get iodine in our diet, why aren’t we getting enough of the stuff, and what can we eat or drink to get more? Our bread is about to be fortified with this vital element, but will that be enough to meet our daily requirements? Find out on Food Investigators tonight.

We’ve all heard that ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away’, and while that’s a slight exaggeration, there are some very beneficial nutrients in apples. But there are other foods that can really help specific ailments. Everything from migraines, coughs colds and sore throats, through to sports injuries, can be treated by eating a variety of foods. For instance, pineapples can help heal a sporting injury, and a tin of sardines can help with headaches.

Add comment