Selwyn Times: June 26, 2019

SELWYN TIMES Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
Wednesday June 26 2019 13
News
Call for research into meat
• By David Hill
A DIETITIAN says there is
insufficient evidence to prove
that a plant-based diet has
healthier outcomes than eating
red meat.
Speaking at a sustainable
protein forum at Tai Tapu,
Auckland University of
Technology senior lecturer and
registered dietitian Caryn Zinn
said more research was needed
to establish the health benefits
between plant proteins and red
meat.
“The research looking at plantbased
eating, or vegans versus
omnivores, is not the kind of
research that is showing us what
we need to see.
“We need to do randomisedcontrolled
trials and we need
to have groups that eat whole,
unprocessed foods, and the two
groups need to compare meat
eating and they need to compare
vegans in that context.
“And it’s only once that
research has been done that
we can compare the health
benefits.’’
Dr Zinn said there was a
danger of “a healthy user bias’’
in making conclusions, as there
could be other factors such as
exercise and not smoking or
consuming alcohol.
RESEARCH: Auckland dietitian Dr Caryn Zinn says red meat
still has a place in a balanced diet. PHOTO: DAVID HILL
“If you have a positive health
behaviour, such as a vegan,
it typically comes with good
health behaviours, so not only
are you eating healthy, but you
are physically active and you’re
less likely to smoke, so there
are all sorts of behaviours these
studies don’t cater for.’’
She said plant based eating
was deficient in certain
nutrients, such as vitamin B12
and omega 3 fats which could
only be found in animal and fish
products.
With so much information
available, Dr Zinn acknowledged
it could be confusing for parents
to make healthy choices for their
children.
But keeping it simple with
whole, unprocessed foods was
the best solution, she said.
This included red meat in a
balanced diet which included
plant proteins.
“One of the biggest issues is
food literacy, and while we can
argue the scientific principles
at a higher level, it’s left to the
individual who is confounded
and doesn’t know what to do.
“I think people just need
to think about the foods that
we’ve evolved with, plants and
animals.’’
Meeting the challenges of
human obesity and climate
change was no easy task, but
she said removing meat entirely
from our diet was not the
answer.
“We would be doing our
health a major disservice if we
stopped eating meat altogether,
but we need to look at the way
we eat meat and the way we
farm animals globally.’’
– Central Rural Life
Probus formed
in Rolleston
THE PROPOSED Rolleston
Central Probus Club is now a
reality.
Club convener Margaret Drake
said a steering committee was in
place which was formed at a meeting
this month.
“Probus is a community service
activity of Rotary and all 1500
clubs across Australia and New
Zealand are sponsored by a Rotary
Club. We are fortunate that the
Rotary Club of Lincoln has agreed
to be our sponsor,” she said.
Mrs Drake said Probus clubs have
been providing friendship and fellowship
for retirees for over 40 years.
“Recent research has shown that
older people who live sociable active
lives are happier and healthier, both
physically and mentally.
Our steering committee will be
ensuring the club has interesting
and diverse speakers and activities,
and members will be encouraged
to develop interest groups
with like-minded people.
“This new social club for retirees
will quickly become a valuable
part of life, fellow members are of
a similar age group and will live
in the neighbourhood so there
is immediately a lot in common
among members,” she said.
•The next meeting is 10am,
July 16 at the Rolleston
Community Centre.
Vietnam, one great experience
helloworld Travel Rolleston owners and
Kirwee residents Paul and Sue Robinson
recently returned from a conference
in Vietnam, where they also took part
in a unique tour of the battlefields and
tunnels with Matt McLachlan Battlefield
Tours in Southern Vietnam.
HELLO
VIETNAM
TOURS
Matt McLachlan is a war historian and has
a world-renowned knowledge of battlefields
where New Zealanders and Australians
fought from the Western front to the Pacific.
This was especially poignant for Sue as her
father served in Vietnam and they were able
to visit areas where he was stationed.
This particular tour focused on areas such as
Nui Dat and the New Zealand and Australian
Combat Base from 1966 to 1971. It
included extensive investigations and
exploration of the surrounding tunnels along
with an in-depth review and attendance
at Long Tan, where New Zealanders and
Australians were on patrol with a mere 108
soldiers, who held off an overwhelming
force of 2500 North Vietnamese.
“The tour was a moving experience,” says
Paul. “The exploration of the Cu Chi Tunnels
and learning about the way the North
Vietnamese lived and how they conducted
war manoeuvres was quite impressive.”
Paul and Sue’s visit included a crazy Vespa tour,
which sees over nine million of “the family car”
in and around the greater Saigon area.
“There’s a total lack of road rules,” says Paul,
“but somehow in all the organised chaos it all
works, traffic lights are merely a suggestion
yet we saw no accidents, I don’t know how
but it just seems to work…go figure. The
Vietnam trip was one great experience!”
Vietnam is a growing destination and those
looking at heading over there to experience
the culture and wonderful landscape should
tag on a unique tour.
14 NIGHT CYCLE TOUR
FROM $ 3750 * PP
TWIN SHARE
Departs: 12 April 2020
12 DAY ESCORTED
BATTLEFIELD TOUR
FROM $ 3450 * PP
TWIN SHARE
Departs: 24 November 2019
• Hotel accommodation
• Comfortable geared bikes
• Support crew and backup vehicle
• 11 Breakfasts, select dinners & lunches
• Accommodation & coach transportation
• Flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Hue,
and Denang to Hanoi
• All entrance fees
• Expert historian guide
“It was amazing to learn how these tunnels
contained living quarters and hospitals as well
as communication centres and supply routes
throughout the Vietnam War,” Paul adds.
“These tunnels have been in existence since
1948, following a conflict with the French
before the Americans entered the war. To
see how they linked to other areas and even
across into Cambodia was quite staggering.”
Contact one of our travel
professionals to find out more!
helloworld Travel Rolleston
rolleston@helloworld.co.nz
or 03 974 2010
helloworld Travel Rolleston Rolleston Sq, 72 Rolleston Dr 03 974 2010
*Conditions: Limited spaces available, prices may change and are subject to availability at the time of booking. A non-refundable deposit of $1000 is required to
secure your place within 7 days of booking. Final payment is due no later than 90 days prior to departure on your tour unless otherwise specified. Cancellation fees
apply. Further conditions apply, please ask your helloworld Travel professional for full terms and conditions. HW3584