Niki Bezzant

COMMENT: As sure as the sun will rise tomorrow, we can be sure that any time there's a health emergency, there will be someone ready to take advantage of the situation to make a bit of cash. So it is with Covid-19. Social media is made for spreading…

Social media is a part of modern life. For many of us, it's our principal source of information. But is that a good thing when it comes to food, diet and health? When I was in my 20s, I didn't see all that many pictures of myself. That's because…

Food shopping used to be easy. We'd choose the things we liked the best, or the kids liked, or the partner liked; balance that with cost and that would be that. Job done. Now, getting the week's food feels a whole lot more complicated. We need to…

‘Plant-based’ might not mean what you think it does. If the idea of a plant-based diet feels too hard or too restrictive for you, read on, because it’s actually very simple. You can’t turn around these days without hearing the term ‘plant-based’.…

Editor-at-large Niki Bezzant shows us how simple it can be to ensure you get enough wholegrain foods in your daily meals. Whole grains are something we often see in healthy eating guidelines, but they don’t get a lot of attention. Recent research and…

Getting your medical test results can be overwhelming if you don’t know how to read them. Editor-at-large Niki Bezzant helps make sense of it all. Blood pressure What it measures When the heart beats, it pumps blood around the body. As the blood…

There's a way about people, I reckon, who live in a perpetually warm climate. They walk a little slower. Smile a little more readily. They have the air of people who know they're lucky to

Nutrition experts have known for a long time that dietary fibre is essential for good health. Editor-at-large Niki Bezzant designs a sample daily menu that packs in even more than the 30g fibre target. Recent research has built on our knowledge of…

You might look like you’re the picture of the health but do your insides tell the same story? HFG editor-at-large Niki Bezzant explains the signs to look out for. We’ve all got that skinny friend who seems to be able to eat anything and not gain a…

Science is just scratching the surface of the benefits of eating as wide a variety of plants as possible. Editor-at-large Niki Bezzant shows how to get your 30+ a week. It’s well established loading up on fruit, vegetables, legumes, whole grains,…

Being online through every waking moment is becoming the norm, but does that mean we’re addicted? HFG editor-at-large, Niki Bezzant looks at ways to bring balance to social media use. Sometimes science has trouble keeping up with the world. That’s…

We know we need to change how we eat if we want to avoid drowning in waste, contributing to carbon emissions, and preventing the poor turtles getting plastic straws stuck in their noses. But what if we enjoy a good steak? How can we protect the…

The Lotato (a low-carb potato), a vegan Magnum ice-cream and flexitarianism. Herald on Sunday food columnist Niki Bezzant predicts how we will change how we eat this year. Once upon a time, visions of the future were space-age. There was a time when…

We all know the eyes are windows to the soul. But did you know eye problems can also be the first sign of health problems? Our eyes are a useful check for some health conditions. Here’s a rundown. Diabetes How it can show in the eyes Blurred vision,…

HFG editor-at-large Niki Bezzant takes a trip around our taste buds to explain the taste sensation that is umami. Have you ever savoured a delicious gravy made from slow-cooked meat juices, or had your mouth water at the prospect of tasty cheese,…

How much does it cost to eat healthily? Is healthy food more expensive than unhealthy food? Editor-at-large Niki Bezzant takes a look at life on the breadline. New Zealand has a problem when it comes to what’s known as ‘food security’. This term is…

Food writer Kathy Paterson doesn't need to think about which shoes to wear when she gets dressed in the morning. For the past year or more she has worn her "uniform" almost every day: casual wool shoes by online company Allbirds. Paterson is an…

“You’re the picture of health!” It’s a common compliment based on the idea our outward appearance reflects our inner health through glowing skin, shiny hair and bright eyes. But there are some things our faces can reveal that indicate our health is…

In the wellness world of bloggers, ‘fitspiration’ and social media stars, it can be hard to know whose advice to listen to. Healthy Food Guide editor-at-large Niki Bezzant explores how to spot fact from fallacy. Celebrities have always cashed in on…