Ask Alex

My favourite breakfasts

BreakfastRead more

Breakfast, it’s probably my equal favourite meal of the day (on par with lunch and dinner!). However some mornings it can be an absolute chore to ensure a balanced meal full of fibre, good fats, protein and complex carbohydrates. Especially when you’ve got the dog to walk, the kids to feed and prepare lunches for […]

Ask Alex: My tops tips to reduce stomach bloat.

My tops tips to reduce stomach bloatRead more

Being bloated is not a pleasant feeling. Back in the day, when my body was in a state of complete imbalance, my bloat was through the roof. We’re talking intense pain and a ballooned state that had me looking 8.5 months pregnant! No joke. The. worst. These days, I am a lot more in tune […]

Ask Alex: How do I eat for optimal hormonal balance?

How to eat for hormonal balanceRead more

We all have our moments; we feel irritable, we feel lethargic; we feel under par; we feel clogged up…the list goes on… Whether we like it or not, our hormones play an integral role in the overall workings of our body. Hormones control our mood, our digestion, our metabolism, our appearance, our energy levels and […]

Ask Alex: How I eat healthily with little spare time?

How I eat healthily with little spare time?Read more

The kids are nagging, its dark outside, the dog is yapping at you for a walk, you need to prepare dinner for tonight and lunches for tomorrow. You pull out a pack of chops from the freezer, but you need to wait for them to defrost. You go to the fridge, to find a faster option […]

Ask Alex: How can I stop sugar cravings?

Stop Sugar CravingsRead more

I have an overwhelming craving for sugar, especially in the afternoons, what can I do to stop this?  Great question. Sugar cravings affect so many of us. They are most likely caused from a diet high in processed foods which is subsequently quite high calorie and has a very low nutrient density. An unbalanced diet, like […]

Ask Alex: What is acne and what is it telling you?

AcneRead more

What is acne and why is it causing me grief? Acne is localised skin inflammation due to blocked sebaceous glands. It can manifest in many different ways. Some people get small red pimples, while others get to be bigger pus filled cyst-like spots. Acne is choosy but can tell you a whole lot about why […]

Who am I? Why Optima Health? Why trust me?

Optima HealthRead more

WHO AM I? Who am I…? This is actually a really hard question to answer. Simply, I am Alexandra Handreck. Most people call me Alex. I am a sister, a daughter, a niece, a cousin and a friend. I love animals, the colour orange and making salads. I love to cook, I actually enjoy grocery […]

Ask Alex: Sources of Iron and some background on Vitamin D.

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Today’s ‘Ask Alex’ has turned out to be nutrient special as we focus on two of the most important nutrients – iron and vitamin D. My doctor has told me that I need to increase my iron, but don’t eat red meat…how can I do that? Firstly, what is iron used for and why is […]

Ask Alex: Some answers on fruit sugars and skin health.

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I’m trying to reduce my sugar intake, does that mean I have to avoid fruit? Personally I can’t think of a more appropriate snack option. Fruit is quick to grab, highly portable and full of important vitamins and minerals. They come from plants, they’re wholefoods and in my eyes, the best form of ‘fast food’ […]

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