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What do food intolerances, allergies, IBS, cancer, asthma, hayfever, coeliac disease, behavioural issues, and countless other increasingly common conditions all have in common? They are all symptoms of immune system dysfunction. Not many people realise this but approximately 70 per cent of our immune system resides in the gut, which is why probiotics — ‘good’ bacteria — has become such a buzzword in recent times, and need to be replaced after taking a course of antibiotics. Many people develop food intolerances or are even diagnosed with coeliac disease after suffering from viruses or similar immune dysfunction. This is because the good flora in the gut, which is so important for healthy digestion, has often been affected by the illness or even the medication for treating it.

It seems that low levels of vitamin D are being linked to a growing range of health problems. Research from Bristol University in the UK showed that pregnant women with higher levels of vitamin D had taller, stronger-boned children. Other research has suggested that lower levels of vitamin D in childhood could be linked to a greater risk of developing multiple sclerosis. Researchers have also linked insufficient vitamin D to heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure, various forms of cancer, diabetes, and arthritis.

Do you sometimes despair about ever getting your family to eat healthy foods? You make all the effort and stock up on fresh fruit and vegetables yet they invariably turn up their noses at your offerings.

Sixty per cent of Westmeath people throw away food regularly, according to a research survey of 1,100 people conducted by STOP Food Waste. In fact, 30 per cent of the food we buy ends up in the bin, costing up to €1,000 per household per year in food waste.

Enforcement action has been initiated against several waste collection companies who have failed to provide brown bins for compost to households in Westmeath.

Our bodies intuitively and instinctively tell us what we are sensitive to, what we are allergic to, what hurts us, what we do and don’t want, and what we can’t handle any more.

Safefood advises that pregnant women do not need to go on a special diet, but should follow basic healthy eating guidelines to get the right balance of nutrients for mother and baby.

First and foremost, it must be stated – fat is an important part of a healthy diet. The trouble is that not all fats are equally healthy! ‘Trans’ fats have recently been highlighted as an unhealthy type of fat, but many people are unaware of what foods contain this type of fat, and how best to avoid it.

Residents of Mullingar will soon have the opportunity to recycle kitchen and garden waste from their own homes, with the roll-out of the brown bin services in the coming weeks.

It’s been a long time coming, but it looks like spring is finally here. The first snowdrops have poked their heads out, the crocuses and daffodils are starting to bloom, the buds on the trees have appeared, and the grass is starting to grow!