Early summer means the beginning of Cantaloupe season and time to enjoy classics like ‘melon with Parma ham’ and ‘melon with Port wine’. Sometimes called muskmelon because of its deliciously rich flavour, Cantaloupe got its name from the summer papal residence of Cantalupo, Italy, which was particularly renowned for the quality of its melons. Today, […]
Summertime means that many of us are going to be eating a lot more grilled and barbecued food. We’ve been led to believe that grilling is a healthy way of cooking. Unfortunately it’s not. Link to weight issues? Grilling is often touted as a leaner and cleaner way to cook because it reduces the fat […]
The Skinny on Strawberries June is peak season for strawberries and who needs an excuse to enjoy them everyday? But for those of us keeping an eye on the scale there are some good reasons (other than their delicious taste and mouth-watering aroma) for indulging in them on a regular basis. Strawberries can actually help […]
All blossoms from the allium family – including those delicate purple chive flowers that are everywhere now are edible, tasty and good for you too! Chives and their flowers contain similar health benefits to garlic and onions. The blossom contains milder versions of the same sulphur compounds found in concentrated quantities in all vegetables of […]
We’re heading into summer – which means more time spent outside in the sun – and more dry skin. It’s a well known fact that sun exposure is one of the top causes of dry skin and premature wrinkles, not least because the sun’s rays remove moisture and dry out the skin. External aids such as […]
Snacking on a handful of nuts a day could lower your risk of a heart attack or of dying from cancer and diabetes and heart disease. Researchers in the Netherlands found that the health benefits worked for those who ate around 10g of nuts or peanuts per day. But it’s bad news for fans of […]
I am regularly asked what a Nutritionist does – and “whether there really is any difference between a Dietician and a Nutritionist?” When I read that Pippa Middleton is learning to become a “nutritionist” (apparently on a one year course), it seemed like a good time to help sort out the confusion and clarify what a “proper” nutritionist […]
It’s not a grain and it’s not related to wheat. Buckwheat is actually the seed of a leafy plant similar to rhubarb, first cultivated in China and the Himalayas over 1,000 years ago. Local populations depended on it for the vital nutrients, protein and fats needed to survive their difficult living conditions. Although it’s not […]
Whether it’s hazelnuts, walnuts, Brazil nuts, cashews, almonds or pecans, nuts are a traditional part of Christmas and we’ll probably all be eating more of them during the holidays. Nuts ripen in the autumn, keep well and are a great source of protein and energy – perfect for keeping body temperatures up during the cold, […]
By age 40 most of us have had a ‘Health wake up call’ according to an article in the Daily Mail. Whether it’s triggered by a personal health scare, the death or illness of someone close, or just starting to feel old, this is the time when ¾ of us make major changes to our diet and lifestyle […]
Seems that everyone’s got a good reason for using for protein powders these days. Added to smoothies, shakes, juices and even soups, they’re an easy and convenient source of complete protein – making them handy for weight management, fitness training and muscle building, as well as meal (and snack) replacements. But when it comes to […]
There’s no getting away from it – sugar tastes good and foods that contain it tend to be irresistibly palatable to the average human being. But unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last few decades – you know it’s bad for your health. Apart from promoting obesity and contributing to tooth decay, […]