YET ANOTHER LONG WEEKEND!

2 Bank Holiday weekends in a row may sound fabulous, but are you eating well?
The shops are full of tempting treats again.
To prevent weight gain and that bloated, uncomfortable feeling, try to balance your eating. Include plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, and limit the high sugar, high salt, high fat, high calorie foods.
PLANNING is the way to go. Write a list now of the meals you are catering for over the next few days. Then decide what you'll cook, write a shopping list, and when you go shopping STICK TO IT! Don't be tempted to buy lots of food that you, and you're family really don't need. You may well still have left overs from last weekend!

Are you are fed up with diets? Or maybe you'd like a few suggestions for small changes you can make to your family's eating habits?
I can HELP, ADVISE AND SUPPORT you while you make these changes, and the whole family will benefit!

Im now also seeing clients at THE BROOKDALE CLINIC in Knutsford. Call me on 07930 194339 or email bev@thepersonalnutritionist for more details.

Have a happy long weekend!

Bev

IT'S CHOCOLATE TIME!

I posted a link on Facebook the other day reporting that the typical child will receive around 12,000 calories worth of chocolate over Easter - that's a lot of energy to work off!

The good news is that chocolate can be good for you! It's all about the quality - the DARKER THE BETTER. Go for chocolate that has a COCOA CONTENT OF AT LEAST 70%. This is the best way to satisfy a craving without having too much sugar or fat. It will also provide you with antioxidants (they stop you going rusty inside!) In fact, the British Medical Journal states that a LITTLE (just a few squares a day) of this healthy variety of chocolate can also help reduce blood pressure, and reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke. But it must be HIGH COCOA CONTENT DARK CHOCOLATE. The best time to eat it is after a meal so you are more likely to be satisfied by a small amount.

Eating chocolate also makes you feel good. It increases brain levels of several chemicals which lift your mood. So have a very Happy Easter and enjoy your chocolate!

Bev

SPRING CLEAN YOUR CUPBOARDS

Spring is officially here, and now is a great time to blitz your kitchen cupboards. While doing 'kitchen clearances' for clients it never ceases to amaze me how long people keep herbs & spices. (I have found them dating from the 1990s in too many kitchens!) Both are a fabulous way to add flavour to your cooking, so make sure they are not out of date.

You should also check labels & chuck out anything that contains E numbers. Many are linked with hyperactivity in children, and the foods that contain them are often loaded with salt, sugar & fat, & very low on nutrients. I'm really suggesting you 'chuck out the junk!' You know what I mean......those foods (and drinks) that you really don't need.

Next time you go shopping look on the 'healthy aisle' for salt free products.
I also recommend you stock up with brown rice & pasta, tins of chickpeas, beans & lentils, tinned tomatoes, extra virgin oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, nut butters, rice cakes, oat cakes, dried fruit, unsalted nuts, fruit & herbs teas, & of course a varied selection of herbs & spices.

Once you have a 'healthy storecupboard' you'll feel so much better!

Happy eating!

Bev