A huge focus of the festive period is the food and drink we consume and more often than not, our Christmas dinner choices are deemed to be unhealthy, lacking in nutrients and highly calorific.
Going vegan is very popular and not without reason; eating more plants and less meat can certainly provide health benefits.
I’m receiving many texts from clients and friends announcing they’ve watched it and “going vegan” tomorrow, without the correct knowledge and understanding of how to approach this transition safely to ensure their health.
On a scale of Bad, Better and Best when it comes to snack choices, it certainly doesn’t fall into the Bad Category, however, neither does it fall into Best. But let me qualify this.
There’s so much out there when it comes to managing the menopause and whilst I’m sure many are aware of the numerous symptoms and treatment options available, the natural solutions can often be overlooked.
With the rise of plant-based milk in our supermarkets, seems cow’s milk is less popular than ever these days; consumption rates have dropped significantly in the last 20 years. There are many reasons for this including links with skin health, taste, allergies, lactose intolerance, ethics and the rise in popularity of alternatives.
Fresh high-quality extra virgin olive oil is one of the healthiest foods. Why? It’s a reasonably stable oil that’s rich in polyphenols; plant nutrients that provide antioxidants including Oleic acid, which can help fight inflammation.
We are fortunate to enjoy the full convenience of being able to choose to eat any vegetable or fruit at any time of year, with the concept of eating seasonally not always the first consideration when meal prepping.
Is it possible to stay healthy on holiday and stick to your healthy habits whilst away from your normal routine and faced with endless meals, alcohol and desserts galore?
We all know there isn’t a magic pill that will nudge those few pounds off that you’re looking to drop for that special occasion or forthcoming holiday!
It is not difficult to over-estimate the importance of proteins; we need protein for virtually every process that takes place in the body.
You’ll find that many nutrition and fitness practitioners will provide you with a meal plan for breakfast, lunch and dinner, which you can follow.
Embarking on a healthy eating plan requires a lot of time and effort at the outset; you’ll need to re-evaluate each meal choice and carefully consider exactly what food you will shop for, cook and eat.
My top line nutrition tip is to make varied balanced choices each meal, each day. After all, if you vary your foods, you vary your nutrient intake and that’s crucial for optimal health.
Oh yes! You may have passed it off as a “senior moment” or feeling “groggy”, but if you’re finding that you’re having regular lapses of concentration.
Going to bed later and waking up earlier is the best way to squeeze in a few more productive hours into our day and accomplish more …..right?
Do you have a physical reaction when you eat certain foods or food groups? Are you therefore avoiding these foods because you’re “allergic” to them? But is it really a food allergy or is it a food intolerance? I’ve seen this over and over and all too often, it’s a self-diagnosis based on symptoms that […]
Have you imagined going on a health retreat but never managed to commit to one in your busy schedule? Now is the time to go for it and book that health retreat you’ve always dreamed of…….. “Live the life you imagine – you deserve it!” Whether it’s a family gathering or an adventurous trip of […]
As a nutritionist I’m often asked “What are the foods you would never eat”? My immediate reaction is that I eat everything and anyway, my mantra “realistic, practical and achievable”.
With our busy lives, getting in the kitchen can be a challenge but I truly believe that cooking from scratch and preparing your own meals is the most effective way to live a healthier lifestyle
I’m delighted to announce that I will be participating in the Ideal Home Show Olympia, London with Co Hosts Eat Drink Festival. I will be performing on the FOOD & DRINK STAGE.
Saturday 23rd March
I’m often asked which is the best oil for cooking? With so many oils available on the supermarket shelves, it can be very confusing knowing which one to choose to cook with. Should you be using butter or should you choose a vegetable-based oil, such as sunflower oil, instead? How about Ghee, coconut oil or olive oil?
If I ask you how much water you should be drinking, I’m betting that most of you will be able to quote “8 glasses a day”! That’s roughly around 2 litres a day and for the sake of clarifying, that’s water not wine…. or beer…. or cocktails! We know that staying hydrated is important but […]
We’ve grown up with the notion that we should eat a hearty breakfast. “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day” and you should “Breakfast like a king” are common sayings we’ve become accustomed to. What is the truth?
There was a time that I would begin each year with a list of plans and goals, which I would kid myself would be achieved over the coming year, simply because I had taken the time to think them through and note them. Experience has shown me that these were long forgotten once the year […]
Have you ever considered that losing weight doesn’t have to be difficult or tortuous and can be surprisingly easy? I believe it can simply be a case of making small changes to your daily routines, that are healthier and more rewarding, inspiring you to continue for longer until you do eventually achieve your goal. The […]
Finding a diet plan that works is not always an easy task at any time but particularly at this time of year, when you may have gained a few extra pounds over the festive period and you’ve struggling to get back on track with your healthy choices. You may find yourself swayed by the inflated […]
Many people who value a healthy lifestyle will also include alcohol but ideally they will also be looking at how they can ensure they’re “drinking smart” over the festive period. However, all too often, cosy evenings in are accompanied by a “relaxing” glass of wine and social nights out wouldn’t be complete without indulging in […]
With the rise of vegan diets, protein is a hot topic in the health and nutrition press. Whether it’s a focus on how to avoid it or conversely how to ensure even more or indeed whether you should or shouldn’t be avoiding it, many find themselves on a rollercoaster of changing opinions and it’s easy to see how protein myths can embed.
I love running my yoga retreat at a property that I’ve owned and run since 2001! It’s a wonderful opportunity to invite a small group of like-minded individuals and offer them a glimpse into my world, where we can fully indulge a healthy lifestyle together; cooking and eating delicious healthy food, enjoying the beautiful outdoors […]
It’s not always easy to establish what’s going on in your body, but one thing you’re certain of is that something’s not quite right.
Numerous studies conclude that eating a rich and varied diet, that provides good nutrients, protects us from illness and disease and fundamentally, this starts with good vascular health; in other words the health and integrity of your veins and arteries which consequently impacts your heart health. However understanding exactly how eating certain foods can actually […]
It is somehow very easy to slip out of your good eating habits as soon as your out of your normal routine; think holidays, christmas or even just a weekend socialising with the family and friends, let alone a weekend away of 3 meals-a-day plus snacks in between. Why is it then so hard to […]
It’s been an incredible summer here in the UK but we’re in no doubt that we are now heading into Autumn! I, for one, love the change in seasons. No matter how much I’ve enjoyed the current season, I always find that the advent of a new season offers me a shift in focus and […]
Without salt, our food would taste pretty bland but it’s not uncommon to find yourself reprimanded for adding salt at the table. Are we actually eating too much salt and do we need to restrict our intake and perhaps our enjoyment of food? The answer is not that straightforward and indeed, may surprise you. If […]
Whilst I would dearly love to welcome each and every one of you on one of my health retreats, where you can experience my ethos and approach to health in person, this, of course, is not always feasible or practical.
When I see clients for the first time, losing weight frequently tops their list of health goals. But in many cases, it’s even more specific: to lose body fat around certain areas. More often than not, they want to lose most of their weight from around the middle. After all, improving your overall health and […]
Intermittent Fasting: how I use this way of eating to manage my weight during the menopause. “After overindulging in bread and cheese on holiday in France earlier this year I returned home 4lb heavier, which made my size 10 clothes feel uncomfortable. Until then I’d always been able to quickly lose any weight gain within […]
Good gut health is fundamental to our overall health; indeed many health problems can be alleviated if you optimize the efficiency of your gut; words improving the balance of gut bacteria and ensuring a healthy gut flora or microbiome.
I’m a huge fan of eggs! For those of you who follow my Instagram account, you will notice that eggs feature on many of my posts and in fact, in the interests of variety, there are many of my egg meal photos that I do not post!
Cholesterol is an important fatty substance, or lipid, essential for our body’s cell membranes and for hormone production. It is made in the liver but it can also be found in a number of foods.
The notion of not eating or drinking too much to ensure you achieve your weight loss goals is well known and of course so simple. Yet, it is very easy to exceed the amount you know you should be eating and consequently sabotaging your efforts to lose weight. Getting portion sizes right is seemingly harder […]
Many of us are now more health conscious than ever, buying and choosing food with their health benefits in mind but the hidden nasties behind our food labels can be quite surprising. Food manufacturers have responded to this with clever marketing tactics to make their foods and products sound healthy. However many of their clever […]
We are hearing more and more about plastic, especially when it comes to pollution. Many TV documentaries have highlight the long term damage our prolific and incessant use of plastics is causing on our environment, piling up in mountains in landfills and polluting our oceans. There is no doubt that our use of plastics is […]
Once again the link between eating an unhealthy diet and disease is highlighted in the press; more specifically the consumption of “ultra- processed foods” and, in this case, cancer. The study was conducted by a team of French researchers who looked at the medical records and eating habits of nearly 105,000 adults who were taking […]
We were delighted to run our first Nutrition and Style Event at Cannizaro House, Wimbledon SW19 on Sunday 28th January 2018 and absolutely thrilled with the many wonderful emails, text messages and social media posts we have received since. It seems taking positive steps to improve our health and wellbeing from both the inside and from the outside […]
As President of the United States of America, Donald Trump could and should be setting an example to a nation which epitomises the global obesity epidemic; 38% of it’s adults classed as clinically obese as well as 17% of its teenagers. Clinically obese, as opposed to Obese moves your health status into a dangerous category […]
There’s a temptation to skip meals if you’re on a diet and trying to lose weight, hoping that you’ll sail through your day energised, focused and without debilitating hunger pangs niggling in the background and knowing which low-calorie snacks to choose can be mesmerising.
The good news is that with a little consideration, a few changes and better focus starting from now, it is perfectly possible to enjoy the parties, meals out and family socialising and avoid weight gain at the same time. However, the festive period is notoriously a challenge and for this reason, I have put together […]
Living with regular headaches is surprisingly common and some people have suffered for years from headaches that simply “won’t go away”. Worse still, the pain can elevate into a longer lasting migraine, which can be debilitating at best.
The food we eat is a basic and fundamental part of our lives and provides our bodies with the information and ingredients for us to function properly.
The benefits of restricting calories on health and extending life span are well established. Fasting has been used for thousands of years for spiritual and health benefits and has become popular in recent times due to the celebrity endorsement of intermittent fasting, aka the ‘5:2 diet’! So what are the benefits?
I remember a time when ghee was vilified as heart clogging, dangerous and to be avoided at all costs. A staple in authentic Indian cooking, it certainly added to the guilt of an Indian take away. Fast forward a couple of decades and now ghee has risen to ‘superfood’ status and is slowly gaining a […]
What you’re eating can make a real difference in your focus and productivity at work. Give yourself the advantage with this ultimate guide to ensure you’re firing on all cylinders so that you are sharp, focused, alert and yet calm.
We hear often that the Mediterranean Diet is the one to follow but what are the foundations to this finding and what does this actually mean you should eat?
Whilst there is benefit to reducing sugar consumption, embarking on a strict no sugar diet is not a sustainable approach and not without consequence.
The role of nutrition in depression is one area that has been under-reported or indeed under-recognised when it comes to mental health, despite awareness of mental health issues increasing. The body of evidence and indeed the medical literature shows a clear link between the diet and mental health and specifically the role of nutrition […]
A question I am often asked and one that is still subject to confusion due to the conflicting advice we are bombarded with is ‘Should I drink coffee?’. The ‘coffee experience’ has become a part of modern life and culture and indeed an enjoyment whether gathering with friends or when you’re at a point in […]
Weight loss and a vegan diet are not always a winning combination. Although you may certainly lose weight if your dietary choices focus more on vegetables and plant based proteins, but in reality from my clinical practice experience, this notion does not always hold true and in fact, those who have cut out all foods […]
There is one response that probably tops most lists of health goals; Weight Loss. Historically over the generations and still today, there is always room for a downward shift in the figure that appears on the weighing scales, whether it’s a priority or not. More recently, another health goal may well be a new contender […]
Absolutely not – Kale is still up there! You may well have written it off as a fad and moved on to another vegetable, that has now become ubiquitous at your table; breakfasts, lunch and dinners and even juices. However, as a member of the Brassica family, which also includes cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, […]
Melatonin is a hormone made by the pea-sized pineal gland within the brain and its production is triggered by darkness and inhibited by light. In other words, it is not a sleep hormone but simply a marker of darkness and its release helps to prepare the body for sleep.
Wouldn’t it be fabulous to be able to eat foods that can help you lose weight, simply by eating them? Although this doesn’t quite make sense on first reading, you may be surprised to know that there really are foods, thermogenic foods, that can help you do just that. Here are my top 8 foods […]
A recent study asked if people were bored with their lunch and a whopping 81 percent confirmed they were, with 30 percent admitting that others had even commented on their boring lunch choices. So let’s look at the worst repeat offenders in the lunch stakes more closely; those that top your lunch choices and see […]
Absolutely! Firstly, to clarify, the family of Legumes is made up of plants that produce a pod with a seeds inside and common edible examples include lentils, chickpeas, beans, peas and peanuts. They are incredibly nutritious, providing good levels of iron, folate, magnesium, potassium and vitamins B1, B3, B5 & B6. a rich source of […]
When embarking on a new health kick, you may find yourself inundated with articles and tips for healthy eating as you scour the internet, newspaper and magazines for tips and advice. Such articles, with the conflicting and often confusing advice hammered out, can leave you feeling despondent as to the best course of action to […]
Over recent months, many are choosing to follow a vegan diet and indeed, “Veganuary” may have tempted you to adopt a vegan diet since the new year? A recent Finnish Study identified that ensuring a healthy balanced diet varied amongst those sticking to a vegan diet, with some showing deficiencies. Here’s 10 nutrients and supplement […]
With the New Year now firmly under way and feeling decidedly more exhausted on your return to normality, you (hopefully) resolve to lead a healthier lifestyle. You’re not alone but before you embark on an extreme approach to kick start your resolutions, take a moment to consider your plan of action. Are you about to […]
If you’re heading to the in-laws or spending time with family and friends, whose food choices are different to those you’d prefer, you’ll need a few key strategies to help you secretly stay on track over the christmas period without being a health bore! After all, it’s Christmas and your healthy eating message is likely […]
Want more energy? Tired all the time? It could be that you need to eat to support your thyroid gland. There are 3 key nutrients that support the thyroid function to include more in your diet. READ FULL ARTICLE
Have you ever wondered why a bad night’s sleep sees you reaching for the caffeine and sugar the following day?
Developing the plasticity of your brain can help to develop new neurons and support a healthy mind as we age – nutritional therapist May Simpkin explains READ FULL ARTICLE HERE
A classic Mediterranean vegetable, the aubergine is related to peppers, potatoes and tomatoes as part of the “nightshade” family and comes in various shapes, sizes and colours.. The most common variety here in the UK is the pear shaped glossy deep purple aubergine, also known as “eggplant”.
Despite hearsay, lunch rather than breakfast can be considered the most important meal of the day. It is crucial that you fuel your body so that you can meet your energy requirement during the day, when you are active, both physically and mentally.
Curcumin is the main active ingredient in the spice Turmeric and gives the Turmeric its distinctive yellow colour. Its health benefits have been recognised for thousands of years and now, backed with extensive clinical research, the use of Curcumin as a powerful antioxidant as well as an anti-inflammatory supplement is gaining significant interest.
Oxidative stress is a type of stress that we cannot see, as it affects the cells deep inside our bodies. It causes damage, more specifically, damage to the mitochondria, which are the power houses of each cell, thus affecting the amount of energy they produce and need to function.
A study published in the British Medical Journal last month has prompted a change in thinking….saturated fats are no longer the villain. The study revealed that those who avoided butter, a saturated fat, in favour of healthy spread alternatives may indeed have noted a drop in cholesterol levels, but this didn’t necessarily translate into a lower risk of heart disease.
As the summer holidays come to an end, the stark reality of the long lazy lunches, relaxing poolside and lack of routine suddenly doesn’t feel so good and addressing your health and lifestyle becomes a matter of urgency! September is an ideal time to take control and reintroduce the healthy habits that make you look […]