Month: November 2022

Fuel up and feel energised with these seasonal foods

/ feelaliveuk / Leave a comment

Happy woman outside in winter with energy

With the Festive Season rapidly approaching, we’re going to need all the energy we can muster to fully enjoy it!

However, it’s always best to eat with the seasons too, to keep in touch with nature’s cycles and eat more foods that are locally grown, thereby helping the planet too.

Clinical Nutritionist, Suzie Sawyer, shares five in-season foods that you’ll love and will boost energy levels too.

Pears

Pears tend to be synonymous with Christmas because they’re often poached with delicious spices, such as cinnamon and cloves. And if you’ve haven’t had poached pears before, then this year make it a first!

Pears often play second fiddle to apples, maybe because they tend to be juicier and perhaps less transportable as a snack. However, they are high in fruit sugars (although only 70 calories per pear on average) so provide some quick energy.  Also, they’re loaded with vitamin C, which is not only great for the immune system but is needed for energy.

shutterstock_298111103 pears Sept17

If poached pears aren’t for you, then why not serve them as a savoury starter, which will impress your guests, as griddled pears with goat’s cheese and hazelnuts are delicious

Pheasant

This game bird might not be for everyone but, as with all game, pheasant is very high in energising B vitamins.  We’ve all seen pheasants charging round the fields and flying swiftly above our heads at this time of year.  The fact that they’re so active makes them very low in calories and fat.

Grilled,Pheasant,With,Bacon,And,Spices,And,Vegetables,,On,A

Game birds do tend to have a stronger flavour which may take some getting used to, but if they are hung for long enough to tenderise the meat, then there’s much to enjoy with pheasant.

They also provide a rich source of protein which can be used as an energy source by the body. All in all, you should feel pretty good after eating pheasant.

Brussels sprouts

At this time of year, we can’t fail to notice plenty of Brussels sprouts in the shops.  And for some of us, the Festive Season isn’t quite right without them.

shutterstock_86858659 sprouts and bacon Nov15

The good news is that Brussels sprouts are loaded with both vitamin C and folate, so you’ll really get an energy boost, but they also contain some amazing plant compounds which help protect the body from some of our nasty degenerative diseases.  It’s a win-win for sure.  Some people find them too bitter on their own which is why flash frying them with bacon can often make them much more acceptable in taste.

Chestnuts

If anything reminds us of Christmas, then it’s got to be chestnuts! These guys are higher in carbohydrates than other nuts, so are going to really help energy levels.  However, they do contain slightly less protein and fat than their counterparts.

Roasted,Chestnuts,On,An,Old,Board.,Selective,Focus.

For many Europeans, chestnuts were an important staple food in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, such is the greatness of their nutritional profile. Watching Christmas lights, whilst eating a bag of roasted chestnuts seems like a pretty good way of getting into the festive spirit and finding an energy boost too.

Quince

Whilst it seems to be a somewhat ‘old fashioned’ fruit, it is still remarkably popular in jams and jellies and complements both sweet and savoury dishes.  Importantly, you’ll find them in plenty of local farmer’s markets.

Fresh,Quince,Fruits,On,White,Wooden,Table

If it’s energy you’re looking for, then quince is going to provide plenty of vitamin C and energising iron.

What to do with quince?  If you’re looking for inspiration, then they certainly blend well with spicy pears or what about cooking a warming, filling and highly nutritious beef and quince stew?

So, get energy-boosted and ready to fully enjoy the up-coming season by including some of these seasonal foods in your diet this December!

FOR MORE GREAT NUTRITION AND LIFESTYLE ADVICE:

Sign up to receive our blog and get a weekly dose of the latest nutrition, health and wellness advice direct to your inbox.

Follow us on Instagram @feelaliveuk or on Twitter @feelaliveuk for nutrition, lifestyle and well-being tips.

Visit us at www.feelaliveuk.com for the latest offers and exclusive Alive! content.

Follow and Chat with Suzie on Twitter @nutritionsuzie

For everything you need to know about vitamins, minerals and herbs visit our sister site Herbfacts

All images: Shutterstock

How important is Vitamin C to health?

/ feelaliveuk / Leave a comment

A selection of fruit and vegetables high in Vitamin C

We’ve all heard of vitamin C. And we really started to understand its importance for our health once the Government campaign of ‘5-a-day’ of fruits and vegetables kicked in.  The more fruits and vegetable you eat, the more vitamin C you’ll get, and hopefully your health will improve.

Interestingly, research shows that since neolithic times, intake of citrus fruits and berries, rich in vitamin C, have fallen by 90%.  So why does Vitamin C matter so much?

Clinical Nutritionist, Suzie Sawyer, gives five reasons for making sure your diet is rich in vitamin C.

Vitamin C supports immunity

shutterstock_69606442-woman-with-cold-immunity-sept16

This is probably one of the main reasons that people know about vitamin C.  It’s often talked about in the context of colds or flu because it plays a key role in immune mechanisms.

Vitamin C enhances the production of white blood cells which are essential for fighting off unwanted invaders by increasing antibody levels. However, during times of physical or emotional stress, we tend to lose more vitamin C in the urine.  This also happens when we’re subjected to chemical stressors such as pollutants or cigarette smoke, hence a good daily supply of vitamin C is essential.

Vitamin C is a key antioxidant

shutterstock_268257674 antioxidants crate Apr15

Indeed, it’s our primary antioxidant helping to protect the body from free radical damage.  The body is very clever (as we know!) and it has in-built antioxidant enzyme systems to protect the body from the outside world but also what goes on inside the body.  Normal metabolic processes create free radicals; hence we have these systems in place.

These enzyme systems need vitamin C to function correctly.  Since it’s a water-soluble nutrient, the body can’t store it, and so daily intake is essential.

Vitamin C is essential for collagen production

shutterstock_352168949 beautiful woman skin May16

Collagen is, of course, a hot topic right now, especially in the context of pro-ageing and skin health. However, it’s also the most abundant structural protein in the body, without which we would literally collapse!

Collagen holds the body together and is part of connective tissue, cartilage, tendons and much more besides, making it essential for wound repair, healthy gums, and prevention of bruising. None of this can happen without vitamin C.

Vitamin C is needed for a healthy heart

An apple with a heart shape cut out to show that apples are good for a healthy heart

Vitamin C primarily helps protect against cardiovascular disease down to its role as an antioxidant, plus it strengthens collagen structures of the arteries.  Damage from free radicals is a major factor in atherosclerosis, due to LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol being oxidised and causing blockages.

The good news, however, is that vitamin C helps reduce cholesterol and increases levels of HDL or ‘good’ cholesterol, so has a protective effect.  Additionally, it helps reduce blood pressure and keeps blood flowing smoothly through the blood vessels.

Vitamin C helps reduce allergic reactions

shutterstock_427985134-allergy-sept16

Vitamin C is a natural antihistamine by preventing secretion of histamine by white blood cells (which is actually a normal part of the immune response) and helping detoxify histamine.  Problems occur when we can’t control histamine production effectively, and then the tell-tale unpleasant allergic reactions occur.

Having a higher intake of vitamin C might also help sufferers of asthma by controlling the release of histamine, but also because of its work as an antioxidant in the airways.  Since vitamin C helps boost immunity, any external stressor such as environmental issues which often trigger asthma attacks, may be better controlled.

What are the best sources of vitamin C?

Healthy,Eating,Concept,,Assortment,Of,Rainbow,Fruits,And,Vegetables,,Berries,

Acerola cherries, red peppers, kale, broccoli, strawberries, Brussels sprouts, oranges, guavas, and red cabbage.  However, all fruits and vegetables contain some so just load up your plate with colour!

FOR MORE GREAT NUTRITION AND LIFESTYLE ADVICE:

Sign up to receive our blog and get a weekly dose of the latest nutrition, health and wellness advice direct to your inbox.

Follow us on Instagram @feelaliveuk or on Twitter @feelaliveuk for nutrition, lifestyle and well-being tips.

Visit us at www.feelaliveuk.com for the latest offers and exclusive Alive! content.

Follow and Chat with Suzie on Twitter @nutritionsuzie

For everything you need to know about vitamins, minerals and herbs visit our sister site Herbfacts

All images: Shutterstock

How to reduce your sugar intake

/ feelaliveuk / Leave a comment

shutterstock_280752443 eat less sugar July16

The fact that sugar appears so much in our daily diet in many different forms makes it all the harder to avoid or cut down intake.  However, sugar doesn’t provide any nutritional value and often brings negative effects to health.

Whilst it’s difficult to ditch sugar totally from the diet, there are great ways that you can cut down intake and feel much better for it.  Importantly, sugar adversely affects blood sugar balance, so the more you consume, the more energy levels will be erratic, and you can also suffer from mood swings and brain fog.

Clinical Nutritionist, Suzie Sawyer, provides five great tips for cutting down overall sugar intake.

What is sugar?

Seven,Teaspoons,In,A,Line,With,Different,Types,Of,Sugar

Firstly, we just need to understand what it is! It’s not always written as sugar on food packaging. Dextrose, fructose, galactose, glucose, lactose maltose and sucrose are all sugar in varying forms.  Sugar is also honey, maple syrup, corn syrup, locust bean gum, malt syrup and treacle.

Unfortunately, sweeteners such as stevia, sucralose, sorbitol, and aspartame may be calorie-free, but they still upset blood sugar balance, which is not helpful for weight loss.  Plus, you’ll never ‘train’ your pallet to want less sugar whilst still consuming sweeteners.  It’s tough for sure but don’t despair as there are some easy wins when it comes to reducing sugar intake.

Ditch fizzy drinks

Saraburi?-thailand,february?,17,2021?:popular,Soft,Drink,Coke-fanta-sprite,In,A,Bottle,Showing,Shelves

For all the reasons above, fizzy drinks may taste great, but they are unhelpful when it comes to brain function, weight management, sustained energy, bone health and nutritional balance – quite a list!

These guys upset gut bacteria which is so important for our overall health, plus the phosphoric acid depletes the bones of much-needed calcium too.

There’s no easy way on this one but the benefits of cutting down or cutting out completely are huge.  Go ‘cold turkey’ or just have one for an occasional treat.

Avoid fruit juice

Variety,Of,Fruit,Smoothies,,With,Their,Ingredients.

Fruit juice does provide some health benefits but if you’re drinking a large glass every day, you’re getting a big hit of sugar.  Much better is to eat the fruit ‘whole’ as the fibre content slows down the sugar rush to the blood stream.

Get used to no sugar in tea or coffee

Coffee,And,Tea,In,Cup,On,Table

If you’ve always drunk your tea and coffee with added sugar, your tastebuds have got very used to receiving it this way.  And so many of us believe we could never enjoy another cup without it!

Your taste buds can be re-trained in a week not to expect the taste of sugar.  It’s not going to help switching to sweeteners. Whilst they will provide the taste, sweeteners are chemicals which can’t be processed by the body. They also add to the chemical load already in the food chain, much of which we can’t avoid.

Become a food label detective

Food,Nutrition,Information,Label,For,Front,Of,Pack.,Front,Of

As you can see, sugar isn’t always labelled ‘sugar’.  It comes in many different guises.  And whilst food manufacturers have to make nutritional declarations, these can be confusing for some, especially in the way they’re worded.

Have a quick scan over the ingredients list and see what you can find.  Often, you’ll see some form of sugar high up on the ingredients list.  Ingredients lists are published in weight descending order with the largest ingredient amount top of the list.

Try to avoid unnecessary sugars

Small,Cakes,With,Different,Stuffing

We all know that there are large amounts of sugar in sweets, cakes, and pastries so it’s a question of managing intake.  Maybe think about having one treat day per week where you enjoy some cake or a desert. It’s all about balance.

It’s worth thinking about total sugar intake over a month rather than just thinking about one day. And don’t forget cereals which are often packed with sugar, even ones you think are ‘healthy’ so look out for those sugars on food labelling.

Sugar is everywhere in our food chain.  Once you become more aware of it, then intake becomes easier to manage.  Good luck!

FOR MORE GREAT NUTRITION AND LIFESTYLE ADVICE:

Sign up to receive our blog and get a weekly dose of the latest nutrition, health and wellness advice direct to your inbox.

Follow us on Instagram @feelaliveuk or on Twitter @feelaliveuk for nutrition, lifestyle and well-being tips.

Visit us at www.feelaliveuk.com for the latest offers and exclusive Alive! content.

Follow and Chat with Suzie on Twitter @nutritionsuzie

For everything you need to know about vitamins, minerals and herbs visit our sister site Herbfacts

All images: Shutterstock

Five ways to eat healthily on a budget

/ feelaliveuk / Leave a comment

An,Elegant,Woman,Is,Reading,The,Shopping,Lists,On,Her

With food prices going through the roof, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to balance the weekly food bill, whilst maintaining a healthy diet.

With nutrition being the cornerstone to health and wellness, it’s one area where we need to find ways of keeping costs in check, without missing out on essential nutrients.

Clinical Nutritionist, Suzie Sawyer, shares five great ideas for eating on a budget, whilst keeping body, mind, and pocket happy!

Batch-cook for the week

Cooking in bulk is a great way of saving money and it means you’ll always have meals available, rather than having to eat expensive takeaways or grabbing something on the run.

Batch,Cooking,Text,Written,On,Slate,With,Take,Away,Dishes

Meals such as lentil spaghetti bolognaise is high in protein – very filling for a hungry family and can easily be batch cooked and then frozen. Many dishes, especially curries and stews, often taste better after freezing.

Maximise your nutrients

Pasta and rice are often meal staples and can really bulk out other ingredients.  However, it’s all about getting as much bang for your buck when it comes to nutrients, therefore ensuring the pasta and rice are delivering on all fronts.

Whole,Grain,Pasta,With,Cheese,,Tomato,And,Basil

It’s important, therefore, to choose ‘brown’ rather than ‘white’ because you’re going to get so many more nutrients.  Importantly whole grain or brown rice and pasta retain their B-vitamins which are essential for energy production.  Whole grain foods are also rich in much needed minerals such as magnesium which will help us through stressful times.  If the family resist the brown varieties, try going half and half by mixing it with white rice or pasta initially.

Get seasonal and go for roots

Eating foods in season should be cheaper and produce bought in farmers’ markets tend to be better value.  During the winter months, root vegetables such as swede, turnips, potatoes, leeks, parsnips, and butternut squash are all available, are energy dense and great for feeding a family cheaply.

Root,Crops,,Carrots,,Parsley,Root,,Turnip,,Onion,,Garlic,,Jerusalem,Artichoke,

How about a butternut squash curry using plenty of filling root vegetables?  Potatoes always work well in curries and if you add some chickpeas, as an idea, you’ll also be getting that all-important protein.

Buy dried versions rather than tinned

Beans and lentils are great sources of protein which can be purchased ‘dry’ and in bulk and are incredibly cost effective.  Not only are they great sources of protein, but beans and lentils are high in fibre so keep the digestive tract in good working order.

Bowls,Of,Legumes,,Lentils,,Chickpeas,,Beans,,Rice,And,Cereals,On

Many people do have issues with beans and their digestion!  This is because we often lack sufficient amylase enzyme, which helps break down starches.  The more you eat these kinds of foods, the greater the body’s natural production.

Dried beans and lentils just need to be soaked before cooking but by avoiding the tinned varieties, you’ll generally avoid unwanted sugars, salt, and preservatives whilst also saving money.

Look for ‘ugly’ fruit and veg

Many supermarkets have ranges of ‘ugly’ or ‘wonky’ fruits and vegetables.  However, these less attractive specimens are no less nutritious and are considerably cheaper. People often reduce the amount of fresh produce they buy during tough times, but hopefully this will help to stretch the budget further.

Ugly,Vegetables,In,Wicker,Basket,,Wooden,Background,,Copy,Space.

And don’t forget frozen fruits and vegetables which can often be purchased in large bags and are cheaper portion for portion.

What’s on the menu?

Breakfast

Scrambled eggs on toast with mushrooms and tomatoes

Eggs are still a very cost-effective and versatile food which are high in protein.  They make one of the best starts to the day.

Lunch

View,Of,Crispy,Fish,Steak,,Fish,Fingers,Or,Strips,Served

Many of us love fish fingers so why don’t you make your own using a cheap white fish such as pollock and some homemade breadcrumbs (just bread, eggs and seasoning).  You’ll also be avoiding any preservatives and E numbers in the frozen varieties.

Dinner

Turkey,Casserole,With,Broccoli,,Rice,And,Crumbled,Crackers

We know that pasta is cost-effective for feeding the family, so why not make a tuna pasta bake and add some fresh or frozen broccoli and peas?  And don’t forget to use brown pasta too! This is a great meal providing your macronutrients and many micronutrients too.

FOR MORE GREAT NUTRITION AND LIFESTYLE ADVICE:

Sign up to receive our blog and get a weekly dose of the latest nutrition, health and wellness advice direct to your inbox.

Follow us on Instagram @feelaliveuk or on Twitter @feelaliveuk for nutrition, lifestyle and well-being tips.

Visit us at www.feelaliveuk.com for the latest offers and exclusive Alive! content.

Follow and Chat with Suzie on Twitter @nutritionsuzie

For everything you need to know about vitamins, minerals and herbs visit our sister site Herbfacts

All images: Shutterstock

Eat your way to calm: nutrition and herbal support for anxiety

/ feelaliveuk / Leave a comment

Close,Up,Of,Calm,Young,Woman,Relax,On,Couch,With

The word ‘anxiety’ seems to be omnipresent in many people’s vocabulary right now. There are, of course, many reasons for this and anxiety affects us all differently.

Feeling anxious can creep up on all of us at some point in our lives. It’s important, therefore, to have tools to deal with these feelings, and we can turn to nutrition for some answers.

Clinical nutritionist Suzie Sawyer shares her five top nutrients and herbs that can help to calm the nerves and manage stress.

Magnesium

Known as one of our calming minerals, magnesium can certainly help when life becomes overwhelming.  This is because, as part of its many functions, magnesium is important for a good working nervous system. It is also key in many biochemical reactions related to the production of brain neurotransmitters.

A range of foods containing magnesium

A large percentage of people are deficient in magnesium because it’s found in foods that many don’t eat in sufficient quantities, namely leafy greens, and whole grains.  Plus, magnesium is further depleted when we’re stressed.

Make sure your diet is full of magnesium-rich foods including avocados, nuts, legumes, seeds, whole grains, and leafy greens such as spinach and kale. It’s good to supplement with the magnesium glycinate form, especially before bedtime, if sleep is an issue for you.

Vitamin B6

Just like the family of B-vitamins, vitamin B6 works extremely hard for us in keeping hundreds of our biochemical reactions in good working order.

Vitamin B6 is essential for keeping us calm because it’s needed to produce our key neurotransmitters, namely serotonin and dopamine.  Serotonin is often referred to as our ‘happy hormone’ because it’s needed for mood and motivation. Dopamine is more about stimulating our reward mechanisms, allowing us to feel pleasure and satisfaction.  These feelings also lead to calm and reduced feelings of anxiety.

A range of foods containing Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 works alongside magnesium in keeping the nervous system in good working order.  Foods that are rich in vitamin B6 include liver, tuna, fortified cereals, chickpeas, poultry, and salmon.  Whilst organ meats aren’t for everyone, liver does provide some amazing nutritional benefits, also being rich in vitamin A, essential for the immune system.  It’s worth a try for sure!

Ashwagandha

An adaptogenic herb, ashwagandha is one that can really encourage those feelings of calm and discourage anxiety. Adaptogens aid the body through stressful times but can also help when energy and mental focus are issues.

shutterstock_1181447482 ashwagandha Feb19

Adaptogens such as ashwagandha have been used in Ayurvedic medicine for hundreds of years, a practice that is known to be gentle and healing.

Ashwagandha needs to be taken as a supplement and is readily available in the health food shops.

L-Theanine

L-Theanine is an amino acid which is found mainly in plants and especially in green tea.  It has also been isolated in supplement form in order that we can fully benefit from its great soothing properties.

shutterstock_391949488 green tea Nov16

L-theanine has been found to stimulate the relaxing neurotransmitter called GABA which is why it helps to instil calm in the body.  Interestingly, it also helps to mitigate some of the more stimulatory effects of caffeine, which can be problematic for some people.  This is why drinking green tea can help to calm the nerves.

Passionflower

Passionflower is a herb that also helps to increase levels of GABA in the brain. GABA appears to reduce activity of certain brain cells that might otherwise be ‘turned-on’, therefore contributing to those feelings of calm.

Close up of Passion Flower

It is, of course, important for us to function as well as possible throughout the day: poor sleep causes all kinds of issues, and also prevents us from enjoying our day as much as possible.  Importantly, passionflower can help support a good night’s sleep and of its many medicinal qualities, treating insomnia is certainly top of the list.

Passionflower can be used as a tea but is also available in supplement form for more noticeable results.

If you’re feeling anxious, then do try these nutrients and herbs.  Nature has provided us with some helpful solutions.

FOR MORE GREAT NUTRITION AND LIFESTYLE ADVICE:

Sign up to receive our blog and get a weekly dose of the latest nutrition, health and wellness advice direct to your inbox.

Follow us on Instagram @feelaliveuk or on Twitter @feelaliveuk for nutrition, lifestyle and well-being tips.

Visit us at www.feelaliveuk.com for the latest offers and exclusive Alive! content.

Follow and Chat with Suzie on Twitter @nutritionsuzie

For everything you need to know about vitamins, minerals and herbs visit our sister site Herbfacts

All images: Shutterstock