Get outdoors: three top energy tips to fuel your adventures

April 9, 2024 / feelaliveuk / Leave a comment

A woman out for a walk in the hills with her arms outstretched enjoying herself

It’s National Parks Fortnight which is a great opportunity and incentive to spend more time outdoors and explore some of your local beauty spots. And why not visit some new places too?

A day of exploring requires good energy levels which many of us are lacking, especially after such a dull winter.

Clinical Nutritionist Suzie Sawyer shares her three top tips for putting a spring back into your step this season.

Suzie HFMA V4

Start the day right

It’s important to get the day off to a good start with a filling and energising breakfast. Those of us who struggle with blood sugar balance can find that our energy dips by early afternoon if we don’t start the day with a well-balanced breakfast.

shutterstock_716903197 avocado and poached egg Dec17

It’s important to get some protein, healthy fats, and carbs into your breakfast which will keep your energy levels up and hunger levels down. One of the best choices is a poached egg and smashed avocado on seeded sourdough bread. This ticks all the boxes. Whilst we often think that carbs fill us up and keep us going, it’s actually protein that provides sustained energy. But in essence, you need all three macronutrients for the best outcomes.

shutterstock_293253446 yoghurt with seeds Aug15

If you’re vegan, then why not go for some overnight oats with some plant-based yoghurt, fresh berries, nuts, and seeds. Pumpkin seeds, walnuts, Brazils, and hazelnuts are the best choices as they contain all the essential and healthy omega-3 fats which keep joints moving smoothly. This is especially useful if you want to be more active.

If you are following an intermittent fasting routine, which often means eating later in the morning, make sure to enjoy breakfast earlier to ensure you are well fuelled ahead of your day out.

Avoiding the afternoon slump

Starting the day right with a good, balanced, nutrient dense breakfast, is really going to help energy levels throughout the day. However, if you have an active day planned, and you’ve had an early start, then you’re going to be feeling a little peckish by lunchtime.

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Whilst packing some sandwiches can seem a little predictable, they are often one of the simplest, most energy dense and easily transportable options. Again, a combination of protein and carbohydrate is going to provide the best outcomes. Any protein filling would work: think fish, chicken, eggs, hummus and salad, avocado (if you didn’t have it for breakfast) or some kind of cheese.

If you struggle with gluten-containing foods such as traditional bread, this can often encourage tiredness in the afternoon, which is not ideal. Why not look for gluten-free wraps, or pack a salad containing quinoa or rice along with your chosen protein? This option also means you can get more of that all-important colour variety into your lunch.

Whole beetroots

Whatever you choose, make sure you add some beetroot if possible. Beetroot is known to help energy levels because it encourages more oxygen flow around the body and is a great help in any endurance sports. It could be the support you need for powering up some hills if you’re out hiking!

Don’t forget to hydrate

With the warmer weather hopefully around the corner, it’s even more important to make sure you keep well hydrated. You’ll be going nowhere fast if you’re dehydrated. It really depends on how strenuous your day is going to be or how long you’ll be out for as to whether you need to pack an isotonic drink. Isotonic drinks can help the body rehydrate quicker.

Close up of woman drinking a bottle of water in summer

Many sports drinks are laden with sweeteners which disrupt the gut microbiome. It is much better to pack plenty of bottled water (a 1.5 litre bottle is generally sufficient) but also make up a weak isotonic drink using some fruit juice lightly watered down. If you’re out and about, then there’s generally the opportunity for a cafe stop somewhere, which also increases the enjoyment of the day!

Fully enjoy your outdoor time over the next couple of weeks, and the coming months too, by being well fuelled and full of energy.

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Three delicious December soups to warm your soul!

December 11, 2023 / feelaliveuk / Leave a comment

A range of bowls of soup

It’s no coincidence that as the temperatures drop outside, nature provides foods that help to keep us warm and energised. Step forward the root vegetables which are rich in energising carbs and immune-boosting nutrients, as well as spices such as turmeric and ginger.

Clinical Nutritionist Suzie Sawyer shares her three favourite soups to warm and nourish your body this winter.

Suzie HFMA V4

The immune system takes a pounding at this time of year, therefore it’s important to support the body with warming foods, so it’s not under duress. Eating warming soups is also a great way of getting more immune boosting nutrients into the body too.

Sweet potato soup

I’m such a big fan of sweet potatoes! Although they taste sweet, they’re surprisingly good at balancing blood sugar levels, which helps to keep weight under control. Sweet potatoes are rich in beta carotene, which is a powerful antioxidant, but is also turned into vitamin A in the body as needed and is essential for the immune system.

A bowl of warming butternut squash soup

This recipe includes carrots, also rich in beta carotene, and warming root ginger too, plus it’s so simple to make. Simply fry off some onions, garlic, carrots, ginger, and chilli flakes (also warming). Then add the chopped sweet potatoes and some vegetable stock, cook until everything is tender and blend until smooth. Your soul (and taste buds) will certainly enjoy this one!

Chicken soup

From a nutritional perspective, chicken soup is great for beating away any viruses, especially if you boil up the carcass from a roasted chicken for stock and use the leftover chicken. It’s also super economical. Furthermore, using stock in this way provides plenty of collagen, which is not only great for the skin, but for gut health too. Chicken is rich in the amino acid cysteine, which helps break down mucous if you’ve been unfortunate enough to already succumb to a cold.

A bowl of cicken broth soup

The recipe also needs some onions, celery and carrots, all rich in immune-boosting vitamin C, together with chopped fresh parsley. This amazing herb is renowned for its disease-fighting properties. Importantly, be sure to add a little turmeric, which is super warming but great for the digestion, liver, brain and joints too.

Not only will chicken soup warm the body, but it will also help protect it from any nasty bugs flying around at this time of year.

Beetroot soup

Beetroots are another one of my all-time favourite vegetables! Maybe their taste is acquired, but if you can find favour with them, beetroots will certainly deliver nutritionally.

Beetroots are great for liver detoxification and provide loads of energy from the B-vitamin folate. Interestingly, there’s also plenty of research on their ability to improve exercise performance, particularly endurance sports such as cycling. Whilst you might not be a great fan of endurance exercise, eating beetroots is certainly going to benefit your heart and lungs in any case.

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This recipe uses all the juices from roasted tomatoes, which are rich in lycopene and are also great for the heart, plus onions, garlic, and beef stock. If you sprinkle some feta cheese to serve, together with crusty bread, the strong flavours really complement each other very well. Beetroot soup is also a great warming dish, is supportive of the immune system and will help keep the liver in good working order too which might be even more beneficial during the festive season!

Enjoy creating some warming soups this season!

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Five foods for a healthy heart

September 28, 2020September 25, 2020 / feelaliveuk / Leave a comment

As the heart is one of our hardest working organs so it makes sense to look after it as much as possible. The risk of heart disease increases with age but, unfortunately, problems can start much earlier and may not always make themselves known.

So, this World Heart Day make now the time to be kind to your heart.

Clinical nutritionist Suzie Sawyer shares five foods to help support your heart health.

Beetroot

Beetroot is often referred to as a super food because it delivers so many amazing health benefits. It is especially high in antioxidants which help protect the artery wall from damaging free radicals. However, it’s also been discovered that beetroot contains specific plant compounds with anti-inflammatory effects. Certain types of heart disease such as atherosclerosis are characterised by chronic inflammation and beetroot can help to reduce the risks associated with it. Furthermore, beetroot juice has been found to help lower blood pressure.

Even better, beetroot is delicious either in sweet or savoury dishes, and makes a wonderful addition to any tray of roasted veggies.

Salmon

Salmon and all oily fish including sardines and mackerel contain the essential omega-3 fats that are known to protect the heart and also encourage healthy blood flow through the veins. They also have wonderful anti-inflammatory benefits which will have a positive effect on the health of the arteries.

Whilst smoked salmon does contain a high level of salt, it’s still rich in omega-3s so is great for a Sunday morning treat with your scrambled eggs!

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are actually one of the most researched of all fruits and vegetables in relation to heart health. Indeed, much research has looked at the ability of tomatoes to reduce overall cholesterol levels and also raise protective HDL levels. Plus, tomatoes are high in antioxidants, specifically carotenoids, which protect the artery wall from plaques that can cause damage if left unchecked.

Even better, tomatoes are very easy to include into the daily diet. They are actually more powerful when cooked so they make a great start to the day, grilled with some avocado on toast or added to a wealth of pasta, soups, roasted veggies or one-pot dishes.

Garlic

Often regarded by naturopaths as a miracle food because of its ability to combat so many different illnesses, it’s also great for heart health. Garlic can help lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol levels and also raise HDL levels. In higher amounts, it can also help break down blood clots.

So many savoury dishes benefit from some added garlic, especially stir-fries, soups, curries, veggie sides, lamb and fish dishes.

Oats

Oats are another super food when it comes to heart health. Specifically, they contain a form of soluble fibre known as beta glucan which has been strongly linked to improving cholesterol levels. It can reduce both cholesterol and other blood fat levels. Whilst beta glucans can also be found in other whole grains such as wheat and barley, oats are the best source. Plus, they are naturally lower in gluten, so less likely to cause digestive issues.

To put it bluntly, cholesterol has to be removed from the body via the stool, hence having healthy bowels is essential. Soluble fibre naturally binds to cholesterol with bile from the liver and transports it safely out of the body.

With the winter months now approaching, it’s a great opportunity to make porridge your go-to breakfast. Add some delicious berries (from frozen is fine), a little natural yoghurt and you’ve got the perfect start to the day. Make sure you’re eating whole grain oats though, as the level of fibre is much reduced in the ready-made porridge sachets.

So, why not try some of these easy wins when it comes to your heart health?

Stay well.

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Growing your own: health-giving, home-grown ideas

April 27, 2020April 24, 2020 / feelaliveuk / Leave a comment

Whilst we’re all rather restricted in what we can and can’t do right now. But for those with vegetable patches, pots or allotments, it’s the perfect time to be growing your vegetables. For those of you without access to outside space, a balcony or even just a windowsill can give you the opportunity to grow some delicious and health-giving herbs.

Growing your own produce has big advantages over shop-bought as the produce is all pesticide-free and additive-free. Importantly, time from harvest to plate can be swift, helping to keep valuable nutrients intact, and helping the planet at the same time.

This National Gardening Week, Clinical nutritionist Suzie Sawyer suggests a few things to start cultivating right now!

Broccoli

An all-round superfood, broccoli certainly lives up to its acclaim. It is very high in antioxidants provided by its vitamin, mineral and phytonutrient content. Plus, it’s great for the heart (it helps reduce cholesterol) and helps to protect the immune system. It can help to keep the digestive system moving smoothly and supports the liver’s ability to detoxify. Broccoli is also packed with lutein and zeaxanthin which are great for healthy eyes and eyesight.

In terms of nutrient content, broccoli is rich in immune-boosting vitamin C, bone-loving vitamin K and energy-boosting folate. There are so many different varieties of broccoli that you can sow right now; the purple sprouting type may have the slight edge in terms of antioxidants, which is down to its beautiful colour.

Carrots

A real mainstay vegetable, no garden should be without carrots. They are best known for their ability to help you see in the dark. This is because they are loaded with beta-carotene, which is turned into vitamin A in the body, and which is essential for eyesight.

Why not grow a rainbow variety, which means you’ll have a combination of orange, purple and white-coloured carrots? They will all have slightly different tastes and the varied colours will deliver wonderful healthy phytonutrients.

Beetroot

If you plant some beetroot seeds now, you should have some wonderful beetroot globes available for the traditional summer salad season. However, beetroot is not only great in salads but is delicious roasted, pickled or cooked, and used in juices and smoothies.

Another superfood, beetroot is a great liver cleanser. Packed full of antioxidants, it also supports energy and is a good source of iron. Indeed, this is probably one of the reasons it has traditionally been known as a tonic and given to people whilst convalescing. Needless to say, it’s loaded with great nutrients and is incredibly versatile in many dishes, both sweet and savoury.

Basil

Basil is one of the tastiest herbs you can grow indoors. Plus, it smells beautiful and will always remind you of the Mediterranean. Basil makes a great accompaniment to any tomato-based dish and is an aromatic addition to salad and pasta dishes. It also great for the digestive system.

Basil is a pretty hardy herb that prefers full sunlight and now is the time to plant your pots for readiness by July. It will also happily grow in a pot amongst other herbs if you have room.

Chives

Chives are another great small pot herb which can be grown alone or in a slightly larger pot with other herbs such as coriander and parsley.

A member of the onion family, chives are very easy to grow and produce some pretty and edible flowers. Both the stems and flowers are great chopped for garnishing potato salad, in scrambled egg, soups and many other savoury dishes. As with all herbs, they have been hailed for many different health issues over the years, and chives have been used as a tonic and to stimulate appetite after illness.

So, get planting! And if you’ve never undertaken any form of gardening in the past, now could be a great time to start.

Stay well.

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Healthy and home-grown: the top 5 nutrient-rich foods for growing at home

August 12, 2019August 12, 2019 / feelaliveuk / Leave a comment

The popularity of growing your own fruit, vegetables, herbs and spices is on the rise and having an allotment or growing patch is appealing to more and more people.

Urban living can make it difficult to grow your own food with a lack of outdoor space. But there are plenty of options for growing in pots on a small balcony or even on a windowsill.

Clinical Nutritionist Suzie Sawyer shares her five home-grown nutritious favourites.

Bean sprouts

Sprouted beans certainly have plenty to shout about from a nutritional perspective. Plus, they don’t need much space because they can be grown in jam jars.

The sprouting process actually increases nutrient levels. Bean sprouts are high in protein so will fill you up, plus they have plenty of bone-loving minerals and immune-boosting vitamin C. They’re a great way of increasing the nutritional content of any meal and are low in fat and calories. They can be easily added to any vegetable dish, salad or smoothies.

You can sprout any type of bean: black beans, mung beans, lentils and soy beans are all good for starters. Rinse them well and then place them in jam jars with double the amount of water and cover the tops with muslin and an elastic band. Keep them at room temperature and drain them and re-fill with water twice a day for about four or five days. You’ll soon have some nutritional powerhouses ready to eat!

Rosemary and Thyme

The perfect herb combination! They are both ‘staples’ in any herb garden.

Rosemary is a delight in both lamb and chicken dishes and is very popular throughout Mediterranean countries. This may be partly due to it being a powerful antioxidant so can help protect the body. It also adds a delicious flavour to roasted potatoes or sweet potatoes wedges. Rosemary may also act as a stimulant in both the nervous and circulatory systems and can help to soothe the digestive system, relieving indigestion and flatulence.

Thyme has an amazing aromatic flavour so is widely used in cooking, especially in casseroles and soups. Thyme has also been traditionally used as a decongestant to soothe coughs and catarrh.

Salad leaves

These can also be grown indoors all-year round in simple seed trays. In fact, they’re probably the easiest of all vegetables to grow. The dark green colour of rocket means that it’s rich in energising iron and carotenoids which are powerful antioxidants. Rocket also has a lot more taste than some other salad leaves and can be used in many recipes as well as simple salads.

You can also grow crunchy lettuce leaves so you should never be without some quick go-to greens when you’re on the run. Plus all salad leaves can be picked over and over and they just keep growing back.

Beetroot

If you’re quick, there’s just about time to plant some beetroot seeds now and they’ll be ready for eating in the autumn. Beetroot is actually one of the UK’s best-selling seeds. This is partly because home-grown beetroot is absolutely delicious but also because it’s a superfood. Its rich dark colour delivers a wealth of antioxidants to protect the body from serious diseases.

If it’s energy you’re looking for then having some more beetroot in your diet can really give you a boost. Beetroot juice is very popular with athletes and recreational exercisers because it helps the body better sustain endurance activity. Beetroot is also rich in energy-giving iron and folic acid. If you start to sow beetroot seeds now, they should be ready for eating in about 90 days’ time. Beetroots can also be grown in lines or pots.

Marrow

Marrows are traditionally sown during May and June. However, the soils are warm right now so if you’re quick you’ll get a crop harvested before colder weather shows it face.

As marrow is very high in water, its nutritional content is not as good as some vegetables, but it’s great for alkalising the body. The body prefers to be in a slightly alkaline state generally, and many vegetables and fruit help this process along; marrow can certainly do this too.

It doesn’t have too much taste on its own but comes to life when stuffed with other vegetables, sprinkled with cheese and roasted in the oven, or filled with a chili con carne mince. Marrow can also be turned into chutney and makes a great addition to your ham or cheeseboard.

Growing anything even in a small way, is very therapeutic and great for relieving stress. So get growing this season and enjoy the fresh nutrition it provides.

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Five foods to banish Christmas exhaustion

December 17, 2018December 7, 2018 / feelaliveuk / Leave a comment

We all know that Christmas can be exhausting! Add together festive parties, Christmas shopping, family politics, with a sprinkling of work pressures, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for feeling tired and run-down. However, what you eat during the Christmas period can have a really positive effect on energy levels.

Clinical nutritionist Suzie Sawyer shares her five top foods for sustaining energy throughout the Festive season.

BANANAS

They are the ‘go-to’ snack used by athletes and anyone looking for a quick energy boost. Bananas contain a high level of sugar in the form of starch which is released fairly quickly into the bloodstream giving an energy boost. However, they’re also high in fibre which means that energy release is sustained for quite a while after eating them. Bananas are also high in energising vitamin B6.

However unripe bananas contain resistant starch which cannot be digested in the small intestine, and then ferments in the large intestine which can cause wind! So, the trick is to eat them when they’re nice and ripe and you’ll be energised throughout the day. Why not enjoy a banana with your breakfast? They’re great on any type of cereal and of course make a wonderful transportable snack.

PUMPKIN SEEDS

Another great portable snack that you can eat on their own or as part of a combination with other seeds, pumpkin seeds have an enviable nutritional profile. They contain good levels of energising iron and magnesium, plus protein which will also keep you going throughout the day.

Pumpkin seeds are brilliant to have in your bag when you’re on the run or to keep in your desk drawer. For a really delicious twist, roast them with a little salt.

BEETROOT

Simply the colour of beetroot brings thoughts of Christmas! Their deep red colour is also one of the reasons for beetroot’s amazing health benefits; they’re packed with antioxidant-rich anthocyanins. Most importantly, beetroots are great for boosting energy. They encourage the production of nitric oxide which helps blood vessels to dilate, producing greater oxygen flow around the body. This effect is really noticeable in people who exercise a lot but is equally beneficial for those needing to rush around the shops!

Beetroot works well in sweet or savoury dishes and can be really simply served in a salad with goat’s cheese and walnuts. Equally, it makes a wonderful partner to any dish containing chocolate! Why not try creating some chocolate and beetroot brownies? Perfect for the Christmas table to stop people falling asleep after lunch!

WHOLEMEAL BAGELS

Any food that contains whole grains will also contain plenty of energising B-Vitamins and wholemeal bagels are no exception. With any white bread products the refining process in their production destroys B-vitamins and also the fibre, both of which are needed to keep energy ramped up! So try to stick to wholemeal options this Christmas.

Wholemeal bagels make a great snack with nut butter (or with some jam for really quick energy). Alternatively, try them toasted with scrambled eggs for breakfast, with cream cheese and smoked salmon for lunch or toasted with smashed avocado and pine nuts. Delicious!

SWEET POTATOES

Packed with slow-releasing carbohydrates, sweet potatoes provide sustained energy to keep you going throughout Christmas. Despite their sweetness, sweet potatoes are a starchy vegetable and supply about the same number of calories as new potatoes (around 84 calories per 100 grams).

Sweet potatoes make a delicious and quick lunch or dinner-time meal in a jacket with a topping of prawns, baked beans or tuna. The best news is that they have a really positive effect on blood sugar levels (unlike white potatoes in their jackets), which means energy levels will be constant and hopefully you won’t feel that all-too common afternoon energy slump.

So eat for energy this festive season and you’ll still be smiling (and awake) to enjoy the Christmas holidays.

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If sprouts are out, here are five delicious vegetable alternatives

December 12, 2018December 7, 2018 / feelaliveuk / Leave a comment

With Christmas rapidly approaching, our thoughts naturally turn to food. Indeed, one of the most controversial vegetables of all Christmas fayre is the humble Brussels sprout; you either love them or hate them! However, if sprouts are not your bag, there’s plenty of other delicious and healthy vegetables that can sit proudly on your dinner table.

Clinical nutritionist Suzie Sawyer shares her five top Christmas vegetables (other than sprouts!)

But first, just in case you can be tempted, the health benefits of Brussels sprouts are quite extraordinary. Not only high in immune-boosting vitamin C and beta-carotene, they contain compounds called indoles that may help prevent some serious diseases but can also balance hormones, particularly in women suffering through the menopause.

So what’s the alternative?

BROCCOLI

A member of the same ‘crucifer’ family as Brussels sprouts, broccoli can also be hailed as a super food. With broccoli, it’s all about the colour; the darker the florets, the higher the nutrient value. The heads contain more nutrients than the stalks but it’s all good to eat.

Packed with vitamin C (great for immunity at this time of year), folic acid, iron and beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A as needed, broccoli is always going to make a statement on the dinner table. Lightly steam and then flash fry with some garlic and sesame seeds to enhance its appeal.

RAINBOW CARROTS

Carrots are traditionally orange but they can also be yellow and purple too! They all contain roughly the same nutrient profile but their varying colours mean they contain a variety of antioxidants, which is great news for the body. Plus, we all know that carrots help us to see better in the dark; that’s because they have very high amounts of beta-carotene which is converted into vitamin A and is essential for night vision – certainly very necessary during the long winter nights!

Rainbow carrots are certainly going to bring some festive cheer to the dinner table. However, they also work really well alongside another winter vegetable super food…

BEETROOT

In season right now, wonderful beetroot works really well roasted alongside rainbow carrots – your Christmas dinner table will never have been so colourful! Beetroots are a great source of folic acid and heart-loving potassium.

To roast carrots and beetroot together, place them all in a roasting tin with some fresh orange segments, balsamic vinegar, thyme and a little golden syrup for a tasty side dish.

CELERIAC

Sometimes unceremoniously called ‘the ugly one’, celeriac, as the name suggests is part of the celery family. Whilst some people are not overly keen on celery, celeriac has a much more subtle flavour and also delivers some great nutritional benefits; it’s high in both vitamin C and potassium.

For a really luxurious Christmas treat, celeriac can be mashed with crispy bacon, cream, butter, thyme and breadcrumbs. It can all be mixed in a food processor and then lightly grilled for a crispy topping.

LEEKS

Another vegetable in season during December, leeks are a versatile vegetable side or main dish option, over the Christmas period. Leeks are very high in potassium which is essential for a healthy heart and regulating blood pressure. Potassium is also great for the kidneys which may explain why leeks were used to treat kidney stones in traditional medicine.

As part of the same family as onions and garlic, they deliver many of the same health benefits. Try cooking them as a delicious oven-baked leek, bacon and cheese side or as a one-pot meal with chicken breasts, chopped celeriac, butter beans and thyme to really tempt the taste-buds.

So if you don’t fancy sprouts this Christmas, there are plenty of other delicious and healthy vegetables to choose from!

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The benefits of beetroot

August 31, 2018August 29, 2018 / feelaliveuk / Leave a comment

Beetroot is clearly visible on supermarket shelves, with its wonderful deep purple colour. But it’s not just visually pleasing; beetroot offers some amazing health benefits and is a very versatile vegetable.

Clinical Nutritionist, Suzie Sawyer, tells us why beetroot is certainly no shrinking violet!

HISTORICAL USES FOR BEETROOT

Most fruits and vegetables have lots of folklore attached to them, and beetroot is certainly no exception. However, as with so much of what we have learnt from our ancestors, there are lots of facts that still hold true today. At one time the leafy tops of beetroots were the only part of the vegetable that were eaten, since they are rich in iron, beta-carotene and calcium. It was only during the 19^th century that the roots were appreciated and found to be a natural source of sugar, when sugar cane was in short supply, particularly in the US. Beetroot was also mainly used medicinally to treat headaches or toothaches.

They are a sweet vegetable, hence they make a tasty ingredient in both sweet and savoury dishes (more of which later). And as long as their carbohydrate content is balanced within a healthy and varied diet, then beetroots are a great addition to any diet.

NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS

Fresh raw beetroot juice is such a concentrated source of vitamins and minerals that is has few rivals as a tonic for convalescents, in particular. This is because it’s a great source of immune-boosting vitamin C and heart-loving potassium. It has been found that drinking beetroot juice may be able to quickly lower blood pressure because it’s also rich in nitric oxide which helps blood vessels dilate. This also has a beneficial effect for endurance exercisers as it will help them exercise for longer and at a higher intensity.

Beetroot is also high in manganese which is great for the joints, bones and liver. Plus it’s a great source of fibre and also folate which is very important if you are planning to get pregnant and also during pregnancy.

It’s well-known for its ability to aid the body’s natural detoxification processes, particularly helping the liver. So, if your summer holiday has been a rather alcohol and food-laden affair, increasing beetroot intake or drinking the juice could well help your post-holiday detox!

THE DEEP PURPLE COLOUR

Within beetroot’s deep colour powerful phytonutrients are bedded. Some of these are compounds called anthocyanins which are potent antioxidants. They can help to protect the body from infections and illnesses, plus help hold back the ageing process.

DELICIOUS BEETROOT RECIPES

There are some great ways to use beetroot in sweet or savoury dishes. Beetroots are very often pickled and used in various recipes as it enhances the flavour of many dishes. Do bear in mind though that pickling beetroot lowers the nutrient content, whereas boiling does seem to keep most of the nutrients intact.

Beetroots are great roasted alongside other sweet vegetables such as sweet potato and butternut squash. They can be added to the roasting tray simply scrubbed, topped and tailed, drizzled with a little olive oil and cook in about 30 minutes. Additionally, they can be used cold the next day in a salad with some mixed leaves, red pepper, balsamic vinegar and feta cheese.

You can also make roasted beetroot into a delicious and nutritious soup; the skin is easily removed when cooked and then the vegetable can be blended. Roasted beetroot is also great topped with some lightly grilled goat’s cheese and sprinkled with plenty of salt and pepper.

However, as a winning healthy breakfast, why not make wholemeal pancakes with beetroot? All you need to do is add a little apple juice to a traditional pancake mix and some shredded beetroot. Tasty!

In season right now, beetroot is certainly a vegetable to add to your weekly shop – enjoy!

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Five ‘grow-at-home’ veggies to plant now for an autumn harvest

August 13, 2018August 13, 2018 / feelaliveuk / Leave a comment

Growing your own produce in a garden, allotment or window box is the best way to ensure that the fruits and veggies you eat are fresh, organic and pesticide-free. It may sound like a lot of work but it can be easier than you think and your efforts will certainly be rewarded when you harvest your first home-grown crop.

Clinical Nutritionist Suzie Sawyer shares her five top vegetables and herbs to grow now ready for autumn.

BEETROOT

Variable weather means that crops generally need to dig deeper to protect themselves and to grow effectively which is why root vegetables are a great choice. One of the top root veggies from a nutrient perspective is the superfood beetroot.

If it’s energy you’re looking for then having some more beetroot in your diet can really help. Beetroot juice is very popular with athletes and recreational exercisers because it helps the body better sustain endurance activity. Plus, it’s rich in energy-giving iron and folic acid. If you start to sow beetroot seeds now, they should be ready for eating in about 90 days’ time.

ROSEMARY AND THYME

The perfect herb combination, no vegetable garden is complete without some herbs to complement your dishes, and these two can be grown in a pot together.

Rosemary is a delight in both lamb and chicken dishes and is very popular throughout Mediterranean countries: this may be partly due to it being a powerful antioxidant which can protect the body from strong sunlight. Rosemary may also act as a stimulant in both the nervous and circulatory systems and can help to soothe the digestive system, relieving indigestion and flatulence.

Thyme has an amazing aromatic flavour so is widely used in cooking. It’s been traditionally used as a decongestant to soothe coughs and catarrh – a great go-to herb if you’re plagued by autumn infections.

BROCCOLI

Not quite as deep-rooted as some other vegetables but certainly able to sustain slightly cooler climates, broccoli is another superfood, packed with nutrients. It needs to be sewn pretty soon though so that it doesn’t get damaged by frost slightly later in the year. Other than that, it’s fairly easy to cultivate in your home garden.

Broccoli is rich in vitamin C with a portion providing just over half of the recommended daily amount. However, boiling broccoli does reduce vitamin C quite significantly so it is best steamed or stir-fried. One of the great things about growing your own broccoli is that you can ensure its freshness. The stalks should be crisp and easy to snap; this make them ideal for dipping into some hummus as a tasty snack. Their beautiful dark green colour indicates plenty of beta-carotene, which is converted into immune-boosting vitamin A as the body needs it.

POTATOES

No self-respecting vegetable garden is complete without potatoes! They’re probably one of the easiest vegetables to grow. The only point to be aware of is not leaving them in the ground for too long. Whist it’s tempting to leave them until Christmas time, they’re best harvested in about 11 weeks’ time. And one should certainly not eat potatoes that are green or sprouted as these are poisonous in large amounts but can also cause migraines or tiredness, even in small quantities.

Potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C but this starts to drop as soon as they are lifted from the ground, hence another great reason for eating them straight from the garden. Potatoes can sometimes get a bad press as they’re high in carbohydrates but the main problem is that people often fry them which makes them high in fat. Jacket potatoes are very high on the glycaemic index as they’re very starchy. Roasting tends to use less fat than frying and steaming then mashing potatoes are a great, healthy alternative alongside any meat or chicken dish.

MARROW

Marrows are traditionally sown during May and June. However, our exceptional summer means soils are warm and if you’re quick you’ll get a crop harvested before the severe weather really sets in.

It doesn’t have too much taste but comes to life when stuffed with other vegetables, sprinkled with cheese and roasted in the oven, or filled with a chili con carne mince; the two opposite flavours complement each other really well.

So maximise your garden and get growing! The nutritional benefits are really worth it, plus the satisfaction you will get from growing your own produce makes eating it all the more pleasurable.

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Follow and Chat with Suzie on Twitter @nutritionsuzie

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

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