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Recent Posts on Nutrition

• Higher Nature Alka-Bathe: Detoxifying Mineral Bathing Salts February 14th, 2012

  As we move from winter into spring, it’s time to detoxify! The rich, heavy foods we tend to turn to during the cold, dark, grey winter months can take a toll on the pH balance of the body, leaving a build-up of acids. While acidic foods (meats, dairy, grains, cereals, and sugars) are a necessary [...]

• The Food Clinic November 17th, 2011

  An interesting piece on Channel 4′s The Food Clinic the other night focused on sports supplements. Are they effective, and are they worth the money? Using a group of volunteers, the programme followed an experiment whereby the group was made to perform an endurance exercise on 2 occasions. For one session, they were given flavoured [...]

• Butter Me Up! November 11th, 2011

  Are you looking for a simple snack idea; perhaps something to spread on your rice cake? How about a nut butter? Peanut butter is the most ubiquitous nut butter in the supermarket, but did you know that nut butters can be made from other nuts and seeds? You can even make them yourself, and they’re [...]

• A Problem Weighing on my Mind November 9th, 2011

  Have you ever noticed an “e” symbol next to the given weight on a food product label?   Last week, I returned from the supermarket with a packet of shiitake mushrooms. I needed 120g for a recipe. When I opened the packet, I noticed that the contents looked a little meagre. I weighed the product, [...]

• Why Go Organic? April 20th, 2011

  What are some of the advantages of eating organic fruit and vegetables?   Organic fruit and vegetables are of a very high quality. They are free from the chemicals used in conventional farming, and are grown in rich soil No food has higher amounts of beneficial minerals, essential amino acids and vitamins than organic food [...]

• Dairy: What’s the Alternative? April 15th, 2011

  Dairy products, which include cheese, yoghurt, butter and cream, can be difficult to digest. Some people also find that dairy products can contribute to sinusitis and other mucous conditions and allergies. This is due to lactose, found in the greatest amounts in cow’s milk.   If you do find that cow’s milk is an irritant, [...]

• Vegetarian or Vegan? April 12th, 2011

  What is the difference between a vegetarian and a vegan?   A vegetarian does not eat meat, fish, poultry, game, shellfish, or any products of animal slaughter. A vegetarian may eat eggs, honey, and dairy products.   A vegan will not eat any ingredients of animal origin, including meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, and honey.

• If It Sounds Like a Chemical, It Probably Is a Chemical… April 11th, 2011

  Hydrogenated fat: it sounds like a chemical, doesn’t it?   If you have ever seen this ingredient (also listed as partially-hydrogenated fat, vegetable fat and oils, vegetable margarine or vegetable shortening) on the back of a food label and wondered what it is, read on.   Hydrogenation is a method used to solidify liquid oils. [...]

• Sweet Nothings March 15th, 2011

  In yesterday’s post, I talked about different types of sugar substitutes. Before I talk about different types of sugar substitutes, let’s examine the reasons why you may wish to cut out sugar: To reduce overall calorie consumption. At 4 cals per 1g (16 cals per tsp), calories can soon add up in a high sugar [...]

• Sweet Variations March 14th, 2011

  One of the most frequently asked questions I receive concerns sugar substitutes: which ones are the best alternatives to sugar? I have discussed the issue of sugar substitutes in a previous post. In this article, I cautioned against reliance on artificial sweeteners, and I will revisit this issue in tomorrow’s post. In the meantime, here [...]

• Time to Keep a Food Diary March 8th, 2011

  Whenever anyone comes to see me, wishing to make changes to their diet, I always ask them to keep a food diary.   This not only gives me an insight into what you are eating, but it enables you to see what you eat, which is usually illuminating, and often surprising.   A recent BBC [...]

• Working Out Your BMR – Part 2 March 5th, 2011

  In yesterday’s post, we looked at how to calculate your BMR.   It is important to remember that the higher your activity levels, the more calories you will need.   Here is a guide to how to factor in your activity levels into your daily caloric needs:   Sedentary (no exercise + desk job): BMR [...]

• How to Calculate your BMR March 4th, 2011

  A lot of people ask me how many calories they should be consuming daily.   The average recommended caloric intake for women is  2,000 calories per day, and for men, 2,500. However, this is an average figure which does not take into account activity levels or body mass.   There is a simple way to [...]

• What Are You Really Eating? January 8th, 2011

  Have you resolved to eat more healthily this year? Whether you are trying to lose weight or just eat more healthy foods, keeping  a food diary can really help you to stay on track. An interesting programme the other night on BBC 1 (look out for a review coming soon!) followed a woman who insisted [...]

• Fenugreek November 2nd, 2010

  The fenugreek herb is 2-3 ft tall, with light green leaves and small white flowers. The seed pods each contain 10-20 small, flat, yellow-brown, pungent aromatic seeds. The seeds have a strong aroma and somewhat bitter taste,  variously described as similar to celery, maple syrup, or burnt sugar. Fenugreek is native to southern Europe, the [...]

• Bucking the Low-Carb Trend With Buckwheat October 28th, 2010

  There is a reason why we refer to certain foods as “superfoods”: they are super! There are many foods which contain a plethora of nutrients and benefits, and we generally refer to these as superfoods. One such food is buckwheat. A whole grain, it helps to keep your blood sugar levels stable, avoiding insulin spikes [...]

• Lucuma October 12th, 2010

  We just love discovering new superfoods at Beautiful Active Nourished, so imagine our joy at discovering Lucuma. The lucuma fruit tree or “La Lacuma” originally comes from the dry, subtropical region of the Peruvian Andean coastal valleys, although it now also grows in Ecuador and Chile at elevations between 1,000 to 2,400 meters. While the [...]

• Is Your Tea Hot Enough? October 11th, 2010

  I have recently stumbled upon a fantastic tea brand: Make Us A Brew. I love herbal teas; I drink them all day long, and I just love their mint and chilli tea. It is great to be able to buy tea from a small, local company, especially one with such ethical values. The company does [...]

• Is This Broccoli or Cauliflower? October 9th, 2010

  I love finding new varieties of vegetables, so imagine my delight when I stumbled upon this unusual-looking vegetable: Known as a Romanesco Cauliflower, it tastes like a cross between broccoli and cauliflower. In fact, this vegetable is also known as Romanesco Broccoli or Broccoflower. It was first documented in Italy in the 16th Century. Romanesco [...]

• Sumac October 7th, 2010

  Sumac originates from the berries of wild bush that grows in Mediterranean areas, especially in Sicily and southern Italy, and parts of the Middle East, notably Iran. An essential ingredient in Arabic cooking, Sumac is used as an alternative to lemon, as it has a similar taste, but without the sourness and astringency. The whole [...]

• 5 Healthy Snacks September 22nd, 2010

  It’s that time of the afternoon again… mid afternoon, when your blood sugar levels drop and the cravings start. If you are about to have a snack, make it a healthy one. Here are 5 suggestions: 5 olives 45 calories 50g hummous with 3 celery sticks 100 calories 50g edamame 66 calories medium banana 120 [...]

• 5 Facts About Apples September 12th, 2010

  Here are 5 facts you may not know about apples: Although the origins of the apple are not clear, it is almost certainly one of the first fruits to have been cultivated. Apples were a favourite of the ancient Greeks and considered a luxury fruit by the Romans. China is by far the largest apple [...]

• How to Eat Apples September 11th, 2010

  Did you know that apples last longer than most other fruit? Many varieties will keep for a month or longer if bought fresh and kept cool. Apples should be kept cool, in a plastic bag, in the fridge (or larder or garage) rather than the fruit bowl; the rate at which apples lose flavour and [...]

• In Season this Month September 10th, 2010

  In yesterday’s post, I extolled the virtues of eating fresh, seasonal produce. Today, I am going to look at which fruits, vegetables, and herbs are currently in season. Best Vegetables artichoke aubergine beetroot broad beans broccoli carrots chillies courgettes cucumber fennel french beans garlic kohlrabi leeks lettuces & salad leaves mangetout marrow onions pak choi [...]

• Good Reasons to Eat the Seasons September 9th, 2010

  As we move from summer into autumn, it is time to look at what food s are currently in season. I have previously written about the benefits of eating seasonal produce. However, I am such a passionate advocate of eating fresh, local, seasonal produce, that I am posting again on this subject. Here are some [...]

• Raw Health September 8th, 2010

  We have discovered a fantastic raw food brand, Raw Health. Its generous product portfolio ranges from biscuits and cakes to confectionery, and they even cater for those with gluten-free diets. Tempting options for gluten-free bread lovers include the Deeply Dense Raw Pitta Bread. We can’t wait to get our hands on the Zesty Orange Raw [...]

• Is Chocolate Good For You? September 7th, 2010

  There is a lot of hype about the antioxidant nature of chocolate, suggesting that this food is a healthy treat. But can this really be true? Is a Mars Bar really a healthy snack? The reality is that it is not chocolate – in its commercial, manufactured form – that is the superfood. Chocolate is [...]

• Nutrition News September 1st, 2010

  Here is a round-up of news from nutrition sites around the world: Nutrition Tips For Ripped Abs– personaltrainerreport.com For years, doctors, nutritional experts and fitness trainers have recommended that drinking eight 8 ounce glasses of water a day to maintain good health. Drinking more will aid in burning extra fat by increasing lipolysis and mobilizing [...]

• Complete Your Nutritional Assessment Online! August 27th, 2010

  We are delighted to be able to offer you the opportunity to complete your nutritional assessment online. Each new patient at the Beautiful Active Nourished clinic is required to complete a nutritional assessment. If you wish to consult a nutritionist at Beautiful Active Nourished, please contact the clinic. You can find the Nutritional Assessment here.

• Diabetes and Diet – Part 2 August 9th, 2010

  Following on from last week’s post, here are some recommendations for a diabetic diet:   Foods to be Avoided   Sugary Foods Sugar, glucose, sorbitol, sucron, sweets, chocolate, jams, honey, treacle, molasses, syrup, lemon curd, sweet mincemeat, marzipan Starchy Foods Cakes, biscuits, pastries, tarts, sweetened desserts, canned spaghetti, canned ravioli, sausage rolls, Cornish pasty, pork [...]