For Women Only: by Megan Pentz-Kluyts RD (SA)
For many women, running a home, bringing up children and taking care of elderly relatives, as well as working outside the home, can influence our physical and mental well-being. Enduring good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle can contribute significantly to a woman's health throughout her life.

As moms, we get so caught up in making sure our kids are developing good habits. Fortunately, the nutritients below address your most pressing health concerns - they increase your energy level, improve your mood, bolster your immunity, and even help with weight loss.

Folic Acid: Liver, dark green vegetables, yeast and wheatgerm

Omega3: Sardines, butterfish, salmon, mackerel, pilchards, herring, snoek and tuna, walnuts, canola and flaxseed oil.

Vitamin C: papaya, guava, berries, green peppers, rose hips, broccoli, strawberries, kiwifruit, citrus fruit

Calcium: Dairy products, especially cheese, as well as sardines, tofu and green vegetables.

Benefits for Moms:
The usual question - 'If I eat a healthy diet, do I need to take vitamins?' Not long ago, the answer from most experts would have been resounding "no". Today though, there's good evidence that taking a Daily Multivitamin makes sense for adults.

Mood Booster:
Moods have a powerful impact on us as women and those around us. Moods affect not only our mental health, but also our blood pressure, heart rate, stress hormones, sex drive and immunity. Too often the stresses of everyday life build up, together with smoking and alcohol, playing havoc with our mood and emotions.

The B-Vitamins, often called the "stress" vitamins, are needed when our bodies are forced to withstand the demands of physical or emotional stress. Deficiency in B-Vitamins can cause fatigue, anxiety and poor nail and hair condition.

Good news - the powerful brain building Omega-3 fatty acids and the entire family of B-vitamins work together as major mood boosters.


It's vital for you.

Purchase the Women's vitality pack consisting of a Daily, Vit C, B Complex
and Calcium Magnesium and receive a free ladies outdoor backpack.
  Offer validity:
This offer is available from the 1st May '08 until the 31 May '08
Item number: 9393 • Pricing p43.40b545i621e613 • RTL 739
Please note that the bag excludes the waterbottle


Immunity
Tired and scattered? - it goes with the territory. But for many, poor iron intake is partly to blame. Only about 25% of women between the ages of 20 to 40 take in at least the recommended amount of iron daily, according to the USDA. When your iron level is low, less oxygen gets to your brain. This lowers your energy level and interferes with your ability to concentrate. Plus, falling short on iron makes you more prone to picking up your child's colds colds and infections. If you're iron-deficient, ask your doctor to run a blood test. Women, especially of childbearing age have increased iron needs and hence are at risk of iron-deficiency anaemia.

Bonus
Vitamin C can significantly improve the absorption of iron.

Weight Loss
Calcium is crucial - and not just for your bones. Today women can expect to reach the age of 80 or more, which makes it essential to promote positive nutrition practices. Research suggests that an adequate intake of calcium is linked to helping maintain body weight. This mineral also helps reduce PMS symptoms by up to 48%, according to a study at St Luke's Rossevelt Hospital in New Your City.

Taking care of everybody else requires taking care of you first. Isn't it time you took out some health insurance?

Eating regularly is important:
If too many hours have passed between meals, blood sugar will drop and your body will crave carbohydrates since there are foods that will provide th quickest supply of energy. Eat small meals or snacks containing some protein every few hours to keep blood sugar levels steady. Skipping meals causes blood sugar levels to drop, which leaves your yearning for processed carbohydrates and sweets for energy