Meal planning

It’s that time of year when many of us are trying to ward off the colds by increasing our vitamin C intake.  But which foods are rich in it and what are the benefits to our health? Vitamin C is not only associated with a healthy immune system; it is also involved in the formation of collagen (helping to maintain healthy skin, blood vessels, bones and cartilage) and improves cell health and wound healing.  It is important to remember that Vitamin C is water-soluble so is not stored in the body: this means that we need to ensure that we get an …

There are lots of oils out there and they all boast different health benefits and qualities so it can be confusing deciding which ones to choose. I tend to stick to these three oils: Olive, Rapeseed and Coconut. I use olive oil for sauces and dressings; cold-pressed rapeseed oil for cooking and coconut oil or baking if I need a vegan alternative and sometimes for frying. So why is rapeseed oil my got to bottle and why do I not tend to cook with olive oil? Olive Oil – tastes good; rich in monounsaturated fats; contains many antioxidants which can …

Potatoes are incredibly versatile and tasty, but they have managed to stir up some controversy in recent years with many people choosing to eliminate them from their diets. But, potatoes don’t have to be the enemy:  they are high in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, resistant starch* and fibre. It’s our portion size and chosen cooking methods that determine whether the potato is a healthy or unhealthy food choice!  I never fry them, I use oil or butter sparingly and I leave the skins on whenever possible.  Personally, I couldn’t live without the humble potato!  Sweet, white or new; baked in their …

By planning ahead, you can make sensible and informed choices about your diet, incorporate a range of food types and balance your individual meals.  It’s much easier to do this on ‘paper’, than to try and do it whilst rushing around the supermarket and randomly grabbing items off the shelves (if you have children, you will know that this task becomes even more of a nightmare with them in tow!)   When we are hungry, our blood sugar drops meaning that we are more likely to go for the most convenient food option – this is often not the best choice.  …