Diet & Nutrition RSS
The Pros & Cons of Drinking Coffee
Many of us rely on coffee to get us going in the morning and provide a 'pick me up' type boost throughout the day. There have been a lot of studies on coffee, with differing views in some cases as to it's pros and cons in terms of our health. What Happens In Our Body When We Drink Coffee?Coffee contains caffeine, a stimulant that acts on the central nervous system. Caffeine gives us a feeling of increased alertness and a short-lived energy boost. Scientific studies seem to indicate maximum alertness is gained from just two cups of coffee a day. The liver metabolises caffeine and excretes the...
Essential Fatty Acids - essential to our health
Found mainly in fish, animals and vegetables, Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) are as they suggest – essential to human health. The essential fatty acids we need to be most concerned about, Omega-3 and Omega-6, can be both saturated and unsaturated fats. They cannot be manufactured within the body, so must be obtained from the diet. What Are The Best Food Sources? Omega-3 Omega-6 Oily Fish (eg. mackerel, salmon, sardines) Meat (organic and grass-fed are best) Flaxseed (Linseed) Fish Chia Seeds Egg yolk Hemp Seeds Avocado Nuts (especially walnuts) Nuts (especially walnuts) Leafy green veg Seed and nut oils (eg. avocado, walnut)...
New Year Resolutions You Can Keep
We've all heard of the phrase 'New Year, New You.' The idea seems great - promising ourselves to get fitter and healthier in the new year, especially after a binge over the Christmas and New Year period. I wonder if too many of us are trying to make too many changes too fast. Are we setting unrealistic targets or timescales? A good proportion of resolutions seem to falter even before January has finished. Changing to a healthier lifestyle can take time, and it's very easy to be too hard on ourselves at first. Some of us may want to lose weight. Are our...