Posts tagged with "health"

Why Is It So Important For Us to Stay Hydrated?

Water is essential for our health and well-being. It fuels so many of our bodily functions, staying hydrated is absolutely vital. During the summer, it is easier to suffer from dehydration if we don’t consume enough water. However, doing so can feel like a chore and how much water is enough? How Much Water is Enough? For most adults, drinking one and a half to two litres of water per day is enough to keep us well hydrated. This will vary depending on levels of physical activity, the temperature as well as the other food and drink we have consumed. For example, food that is high in salt and alcoholic drinks can increase the need for...

Broccoli Coffee is Another Popular Health food Trend

People have found interesting ways to include vegetables and other healthy ingredients in their food. Cauliflower has been used as rice, courgettes can be turned into noodles and avocados can even be made into chocolate mousse. The latest health food trend is known as broccoli coffee and it aims to get people to consume more greens. A Plan to Improve Health The unique concept of broccoli coffee was developed in Australia by Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation and Hort Innovation. Research indicates that the average Australian citizen is still not eating the recommended daily intake of vegetables a day. Healthy...

What does Crash Dieting do to Your Body?

The summer months are upon us and crash dieting is unfortunately common at this time of year. As the weather becomes warmer and holidays get closer, people can easily become self-conscious. Body confidence is certainly an issue that drives crash dieting and although it might be somewhat effective, it can have a negative impact on your overall health. Here are the different ways crash dieting affects the body: It can lower your metabolic rate One of the best ways to lose weight is to have a high metabolism, but crash dieting can actually lower your metabolic rate. A metabolic rate refers to the number of calories you burn while...

The New Government Crackdown on Childhood Obesity

The government has introduced new proposals to tackle the issue of childhood obesity in the UK. With these new measures, it seems the government is admitting that the previous policy was simply not effective enough. Mandatory calorie labelling on menus and stricter measures on junk food advertising are just some of actions that could be implemented. Childhood Obesity is a Significant Problem Currently, one in three children are overweight or obese when they leave primary school. Obesity across the UK is estimated to cost the NHS £5.1 billion per year, with a cost to the wider economy of £27 billion. Less than two years after the...

Are Cheat Days Actually Effective When Dieting?

There are various methods of losing weight, many of which include cheat days. The idea behind cheat days is simple: dieters spend a week or up to a month closely sticking to their eating regime then have one day where they can indulge. Although cheat days might seem like an effective way of indulging in moderation, they can be problematic. Cheat Days Can be Disruptive Cheat days don’t always stay as just one day. They can turn into weeks or longer because a single day of heavy indulgence can derail an entire diet. This sort of routine can have a negative impact on regular eating habits. Cheat days can make it difficult to find any sort...

Are You Making These Common Healthy Eating Mistakes?

Many people want to make positive changes to their diet and eat healthier. However, it is easy to be misled by certain products that are marketed as healthy, when in reality they are doing more harm than good. These sort of mistakes are fairly common, but they can be avoided when you know what to look out for, making healthy eating much easier. Not all wholegrain items are actually wholegrain Whole grain foods are often chosen as a healthier alternative to those that are more refined. But wholegrain labels can misinform consumers. If a product says, “made with whole-grains”, that could mean that a small percentage is...

Everything You Need to Know About the Nordic Diet

With the vast number of diet plans available, some diets have become more popular than others, these include the paleo and keto diets. A new eating trend, called the Nordic diet is gaining popularity. This diet is mostly comprised of natural foods that are typically consumed by residents of Nordic countries like Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Denmark and Finland. What is the Nordic Diet? The Nordic diet consists of large quantities of seafood, healthy unsaturated fats and fibre. This includes the regular consumption fatty fish, organic vegetables, pulses, low-fat dairy and whole grains. Nutritionally dense berries like lingonberries,...

What is a Crash Diet and is it Actually Healthy?

A crash diet is when someone attempts to lose weight quickly. Whilst a more conventional diet is undertaken with the aim of gradually losing weight over time, the goal of a crash diet is to achieve rapid results. A Crash Diet Can Achieve Weight Loss, But Not Weight Maintenance If you have short term weight-loss goals, then there is the potential to lose some weight. However, people who subject themselves to dramatic weight-loss often struggle with weight maintenance. Once a crash diet stops you return to your regular eating patterns, the weight that was lost will quickly be regained. You Could Be Depriving Yourself of...

6 Useful Tips That Can Help Your Digestion

Issues with digestion are fairly common, with approximately 40% of people having at least one digestive symptom at any given time. The problem with tackling these symptoms, is it is difficult to navigate through certain myths that surround digestion. The following tips aim to help clear common misconceptions around digestion and offer steps that can be taken to help your body. Nevertheless, it is important to know that any issues that are causing concern should always be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional. Water Isn’t Always the Answer A standard “fix” for digestion problems is drinking large quantities...

5 Ways to Remove Factory Meat from Your Diet

There are new and valid concerns regarding the welfare of animals on UK farms. In a recent investigation, footage was obtained by the animal rights group Animal Equality. It depicted pigs being brutally mistreated over a period of 10 days. If you are concerned about the welfare of animals and what you eat, there is something you can do. Many people are becoming aware of the presence of factory meat in their diet and their wish to reduce consumption of such meat. One option is to consider becoming a vegetarian or vegan. However, if you still wish to consume meat, you can still reduce the amount of factory meat in your diet: Eat...

Urge for Industrial Trans Fats to be Removed from Food Supply

The Word Health Organisation (WHO) has stated that trans fats need to be eliminated from the global food supply. This is because  they are responsible for half a million deaths worldwide each year. Currently, the majority of western Europe has already acted to reduce industrially made trans fats from factory produced foods. Denmark and New York have also introduced an outright ban in  food production. Large food corporations are facing significant pressure to act and use trans-fat substitutes instead. A Need for Improvement The latest UK national diet and nutrition survey shows the intake of trans fats is well below 0.5%-0.7%. Companies...

5 Indicators That You Aren’t Eating Enough Carbs

According to NHS guidelines, carbohydrates should make up a third of a balanced diet. Usually, carbs are often reduced or discarded in certain diets as an effective form of weight loss. Although this has proven effective, in some cases you may need to eat more carbs because your body simply isn’t getting enough. You shouldn’t drastically reduce or cut out an entire food group from your diet. If you believe that doing so will benefit your overall health, always consult with a doctor or nutritionist first. For example, reducing carbs would be beneficial for those with diabetes. Even so, a health professional should be addressed first in...

Did You Know That Chocolate Can Reduce Stress?

Chocolate is a delicious treat that many people indulge in. People eat it for a variety of different reasons. It can be for comfort, a reward or treat, or to simply satisfy a craving. According to new research from Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Centre in Southern California, consuming chocolate can have a positive effect on overall brain health by helping reduce stress levels. A Tasty Way to Reduce Stress After analysing two studies, the researchers discovered that eating dark chocolate with a high percentage of cacao (usually chocolate over 70%) reduces stress levels and inflammation. They also found that consuming...

Fast Food Outlets Shouldn't be Near Schools

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health have urged the government to take more action in tackling the issue of childhood obesity in the UK. According to child healthcare professionals, fast food outlets should be banned from operating within 400 metres from schools in England. Nationwide Initiative The mayor of London Sadiq Khan has already suggested such measures should be established in the capital. Although The College agrees, it has called for the potential ban to be extended throughout the UK. President of The College Professor Russell Viner, stated that ministers should “take a leap of faith” by introducing the measures...

How Did Social Media Help Veganism Become Mainstream?

Veganism has long been the subject of jokes. However, times have certainly changed as veganism has become an extremely popular lifestyle choice. Over 3.5 million people in Britain alone identify as vegan, so plant-based living has certainly taken the mainstream by storm. Yet, how did a once mocked subculture become such an established industry? An Increasing Trend Since 2012, Google searches for the word “veganism” have steadily increased. This trend appears to coincide with the rise of Instagram. In 2010, the photo sharing app was launched exclusively for iOS. However, after a version for Android was released in 2012, Instagram became...

Cattle Farmers Left Frustrated at Plant-Based Meat Alternatives

Plant-based alternatives to meat are in serious demand as they are gradually becoming more accessible. American companies like Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat are using science to provide the texture and taste of meat without slaughtering animals. Additionally, there are far less environmental implications with meat alternatives in comparison to traditional farming. However, cattle farmers have been left very dismayed because their industry could be under threat. Cattle Farmers are Getting Nervous The US Cattlemen’s Association filed a 15-page petition to the US Department of Agriculture earlier in the year. The petition demands that an...

The Alarming Diet Trends of Silicon Valley

Silicon Valley is the technology haven found in the southern San Francisco Bay area of California. It is home to many start-up and global technology companies. Some of its most impressive companies to originate there include Facebook, Apple and Google. What is astounding about Silicon Valley is not only the technological advancements that come from there, but also the various fad diets that residents rely upon. Many strange trends are undertaken for the sake of health and wellness. Some Diets Appear Reasonable Some diets seem rather practical, with the “Keto Diet” proving to be rather popular. Ketogenesis is a state where the body...

Is Plant-Based Fast Food A Healthy Option?

Vegetarian and vegan diets have been found to have many health benefits. Plant-based diets have been said to reduce the risk of obesity, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. As a result, it is easy to assume that all plant-based foods are healthy – including fast food. Although vegetarian and vegan alternatives to fast food may appear nutritionally appealing, they are still as unhealthy as their meat counterparts. Plant-Based Doesn't Always Equal Healthy Fast food that is advertised as plant-based isn’t automatically healthy. There may be a lack of animal products involved but can still be high in calories. Furthermore, they can still...

How to Achieve the Perfect Diet – According to Science

There is no diet that works for each person. It is simply impossible to adhere to every set of varying nutritional needs. Even the word “diet” means something different for each individual. For some it’s just what they eat, for others it may mean restriction because they want to reach a weight goal. Many diets keep people sustained, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are healthy. A perfect diet should consist of the best possible intake of nutrients so that the body can be as healthy as can be. Rather than one universal diet, the following are some principles that should be considered when assessing whether a diet is...

Weight Watchers Makes Controversial Offer for Teenagers

In an attempt to aid ever-increasing obesity levels, Weight Watchers has launched a scheme in the USA which gives teenagers an opportunity to join for free. Although the company may have had good intentions, critics have slammed the move. A Well-Intentioned Incentive for Teenagers The new incentive will allow teenagers aged 13 to 17 to sign up. Currently, children need to be a minimum age of 13 and accompanied by a parent or guardian to join. The target weight for any child wanting to join should be should be issued by a doctor. Furthermore,  this should reviewed this every six to nine months. Not Everyone Agrees Body image campaigners...
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