For many people, regularly drinking lots of water doesn’t come naturally. I can sit with a litre bottle of water on my desk all day and I still have to consciously remind myself to drink it! But, since the sensation of thirst is only triggered when your body is already dehydrated, it’s important to be proactive.
The good news is that, even if you find drinking regularly a chore, it’s a pretty easy habit to form. Try some of these tips – I promise only a little extra effort is required.
Educate yourself about the hydration and dehydration of your body
Most people need 1 to 2 litres of fluid each day. Because everyone is different, the best way to tell if you’re drinking enough is by the colour of your urine – it should be the colour of straw (for those of us without access to bales of straw, that’s pale yellow). If not, and you’re experiencing symptoms such as headache, light headed-ness, confusion and irritability, then you may be dehydrated. Being aware of your body and its fluids needs is the first step towards forming good hydration habits. Read the rest of this entry »
Caffeine sensitivity depends on the amount and frequency of caffeine consumption, body weight, physical condition and overall anxiety level, among other factors.
For most healthy adults, moderate amounts of caffeine — about two to three cups of coffee a day — pose no physical problems.
If you need to reduce your caffeine consumption, then try these tips:
- Switch to decaffeinated coffee or tea
- Steep tea for a shorter time (brewing for 1 minute halves the amount of caffeine as compared to a 2-3 minute brew)
- Keep a cup of water next to your caffeinated drink and alternate sips to prevent mindless caffeine drinking
- If your favourite soft drink includes caffeine, opt for a caffeine-free option
- Check the label of over-the-counter medication, as some contain as much caffeine as one or two cups of coffee in just one dose
And remember, start gradually. Contrary to popular belief, you can’t become addicted to caffeine, but you may exhibit short-term symptoms if you stop consuming caffeine suddenly.
Good luck!
In December, I made a New Year’s resolution to be more mindful of seasonal produce. At the time, this felt like a fairly simple goal to achieve: I’d eat salads in summer and hearty vegetable stews in winter. But, the more I researched, the more passionate I’ve become that this principle should guide our dietary choices as much as possible. Here are four big reasons why choosing seasonal produce is important.
1) Air-freighting food impacts on the climate
A recent article in The Independent claimed that supermarkets have actively encouraged the idea that it is “entirely reasonable for us to expect to be able to buy every fruit and vegetable produced anywhere on the planet, 365 days of the year”.
Read the rest of this entry »
If you’re worried about the signs of aging too, this might interest you. New research suggests that the high levels of phosphates found in soft drinks and processed foods may accelerate signs of aging.
Researchers looked at the effects of high phosphates levels in three groups of mice and found that mice with higher levels lived on average half as long as those with substantially lower levels. Their research suggests that phosphate has toxic effects in mice and may have a similar effect in humans.
For more details about the study and findings, see the full article “Signs of aging accelerated by phosphorous in sodas and processed foods” at Medical News Today.
The general view is that keeping phosphorous levels balanced may be important for a health life and longevity. While it’s not something to be alarmed about, it probably is worth keeping an eye on ingredients listings if you’re a fan of soft drinks and processed foods!
I had a rather alarming conversation with my Mum on the weekend. She’s pushing 60 (sorry Mum!), but confessed that the only dairy she gets is the milk in her cup of tea each morning.
Whilst taking deep breaths and trying to focus on not sounding like a nagging parent (funny how the roles reverse as you grow up, isn’t it), I asked her how much she knew about osteoporosis.
“Osteo-per-what, darling?”
More deep breaths.
“Osteoporosis, Mum - the condition where you gradually lose bone material, meaning they are more fragile and likely to break even after a simple fall? It’s responsible for 70,000 hip replacements, 120,000 spine and 50,000 wrist fractures in Britain each year.”*
Worryingly, I’m sure she’s not the only woman aged over 25 who doesn’t give the health of her bones a second thought. So, in the interest of doing it for the girls, listen up!
Read the rest of this entry »
April 27th, 2010 in
For women 1 Comment
BBC Good Food has compiled a host of recipes to help keep your kids entertained over the school holidays.
From iced fairy cakes to baked dippy eggs, there’s a great range of meals – savoury and sweet – for all ages. And did you know that encouraging your kids to be adventurous with food in the kitchen is a great way to avoid fussy eating habits?
Check out the kids cooking recipe collection for plenty of inspiration!
All the best.
Blackberries are an excellent source of fibre, vitamins and antioxidants. For a super-quick health boost, try blending up a delicious blackberry and yoghurt smoothie.
It’s packed full of nutrients – vitamins A, B2, B3, B5, B12, C, D, E, beta-carotene, folic acid; calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, selenium, and zinc – to name a few!
Ingredients
25 blackberries
450mls low-fat natural yoghurt
A generous sprinkling of almonds
Method
Combine the blackberries and natural yoghurt in a blender. Whiz until smooth, then sprinkle over the almond flakes. Drink right away.
Almonds have a high monounsaturated fat content, which helps the body burn fat, so this is a fantastic snack for dieters. Just be sure to use low-fat yoghurt. Try soya yoghurt if you want to feel extra saintly!
Enjoy.
PS blackberries are packed full of goodness, you can find more information in my earlier post, Ode to a blackberry.
Are you searching for the secret to youthfulness, longevity AND a healthy body? Well, search no more, such a miracle exists.
But it’s no cream or pill, and you can pick it up from your local supermarket… introducing, the soya bean.
Want to know why?
In Asia, the soya bean has been cultivated and used in different ways for thousands of years. It’s central to the diet of the Japanese, who have the longest lifespans in the world. Why is this?
Read the rest of this entry »
Dr Mark Porter, writing for the Times, gives insight into the formation of your baby’s sense of taste and smell and how their palate develops in the womb. The good news is, you can prevent your child from being a fussy eater by eating a variety of foods during pregnancy.
Fussy eating is also a favourite topic of mine, so it’s great to hear that there are steps you can take during a child’s formative years to encourage the enjoyment of a broad range of foods.
All the best!
I’ve been away this weekend enjoying a change of pace in the New Forest. In my free time, I’ve been reading “59 seconds: Think a little, change a lot” by Professor Richard Wiseman, which presents an approach to change that promises to help people achieve their goals and ambitions in minutes, not months. (A pretty attractive proposition, no?)
While the principle of rapid change can be applied to most areas of your life, it was the tips on dieting that just had to be shared. I won’t go into the detail – you really should grab yourself a copy of the book, it’s bursting with easy-read scientific evidence to support all the recommendations – but I will share some of Professor Wiseman’s top tips on beating the hidden factors that influence your consumption of food and drink. (In 59 seconds, no less!)
Read the rest of this entry »
For many people, regularly drinking lots of water doesn’t come naturally. I can sit with a litre bottle of water on my desk all day and I still have to consciously remind myself to drink it! But, since the sensation of thirst is only triggered when your body is already dehydrated, it’s important to be proactive.
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