I have just had a very traditional seaside weekend!
The weather was typically British - drizzle and cloud, yet the beach huts were full of people brewing tea and sitting in deck chairs - ever optimistic!
So we walked along the prom, remembering childhood holidays of sandcastles and rockpool fishing.
Then it was lunch time.....and the only food available at the sea front was: fish and chips, burger and chips, hot dogs, crisps, ice cream, doughnuts, popcorn, candy floss, sweets and chocolate! I could not buy an apple - or any other fruit for that matter. The closest I could get was a banana milkshake!
Fortunately I had packed some dried fruit and nuts (good planning Bev), so we munched on those until we could find somewhere that sold something that vaguely resembled fresh food!
Is it any wonder that the British are getting bigger?
Have a happy day,
Bev
Monday, 23 August 2010
Friday, 13 August 2010
IS ORGANIC MORE NUTRITIOUS?
Eating organically grown fruit and vegetables will greatly reduce your exposure to chemicals, but the question is, are they more nutrtitious?
A 2009 report commissioned by the UK Food Standards Agency found that organic and "conventional" produce was more or less the same nutritionally.
An organic carrot may be free of contaminents but it is unlikely to provide you with more vitamins and minerals than a non organic carrot.
However you can help the environment. Fewer chemicals used in growing organic food results in less pollutants in rivers and streams.
From a nutrition point of view it does not matter which you eat, but, be aware that certain produce are heavily treated with pesticides, such as apples, strawberries, blueberries, cherries, potatoes, celery and spinach.
If you are considering buying some organic foods, you would do well to choose these.
Whatever you decide remember to EAT YOUR 5 A DAY!
Bev
A 2009 report commissioned by the UK Food Standards Agency found that organic and "conventional" produce was more or less the same nutritionally.
An organic carrot may be free of contaminents but it is unlikely to provide you with more vitamins and minerals than a non organic carrot.
However you can help the environment. Fewer chemicals used in growing organic food results in less pollutants in rivers and streams.
From a nutrition point of view it does not matter which you eat, but, be aware that certain produce are heavily treated with pesticides, such as apples, strawberries, blueberries, cherries, potatoes, celery and spinach.
If you are considering buying some organic foods, you would do well to choose these.
Whatever you decide remember to EAT YOUR 5 A DAY!
Bev
Thursday, 5 August 2010
BAN THE BLACKENED BANGERS!
It's summer - really!
Time for the great British barbecue - between the showers!
However you may wish to think twice before you serve up charcoal coated food.
A survey recently published by the University of Texas followed 1,700 people over the past 12 years, who had diets that included blackened meats.
The findings were that people who ate well done meats were twice as likely to develop bladder cancer as those who ate rare meats, which were less blackened.
The risk was highest for those who ate red meats.
To minimise the risks of these cancer causing chemicals there are a few things you can do:
1. Invest in a gas barbecue
2. Cook the meat under the grill or in the oven first, so there is less time over the charcoal
3. Barbecue vegetables as they do not form toxic chemicals
4. Trim the fat off the meat
5. Marinate meats to lessen blackening
6. Don't overcook
7. Flip food often
8. Prevent flare ups
Happy Barbecuing !
Bev
Time for the great British barbecue - between the showers!
However you may wish to think twice before you serve up charcoal coated food.
A survey recently published by the University of Texas followed 1,700 people over the past 12 years, who had diets that included blackened meats.
The findings were that people who ate well done meats were twice as likely to develop bladder cancer as those who ate rare meats, which were less blackened.
The risk was highest for those who ate red meats.
To minimise the risks of these cancer causing chemicals there are a few things you can do:
1. Invest in a gas barbecue
2. Cook the meat under the grill or in the oven first, so there is less time over the charcoal
3. Barbecue vegetables as they do not form toxic chemicals
4. Trim the fat off the meat
5. Marinate meats to lessen blackening
6. Don't overcook
7. Flip food often
8. Prevent flare ups
Happy Barbecuing !
Bev
Wednesday, 28 July 2010
HOW LONG CAN YOU STAY ON A DIET?
I read with interest in the national press this week that women last on average JUST 19 DAYS on a diet, before they are back to their normal way of eating, with chocolate, crisps and wine the main culprits!
A typical woman will diet 3 times a year, and this will cost her around £160 each time, on slimming clubs, slimming products, magazines, gyms and exercise clothes.
After each attempt, a staggering 97% of women will regain the weight lost - and usually more!
Instead of relying on willpower for a restricted diet it is better to follow a more realistic routine comprising of healthy eating and regular exercise.
THE PERSONAL NUTRITIONIST can show you how to introduce long term lifestyle changes which have lasting benefits.
Why not SAY GOODBYE TO YO-YO DIETING, and make this the time you SUCCEED?
Bev
A typical woman will diet 3 times a year, and this will cost her around £160 each time, on slimming clubs, slimming products, magazines, gyms and exercise clothes.
After each attempt, a staggering 97% of women will regain the weight lost - and usually more!
Instead of relying on willpower for a restricted diet it is better to follow a more realistic routine comprising of healthy eating and regular exercise.
THE PERSONAL NUTRITIONIST can show you how to introduce long term lifestyle changes which have lasting benefits.
Why not SAY GOODBYE TO YO-YO DIETING, and make this the time you SUCCEED?
Bev
Monday, 19 July 2010
I'VE GONE GREEN - CYCLING!
After some overindulging for my wedding anniversary and birthday I have gained a few pounds - yes, I'm human!
So my ever considerate husband bought me a bike.
I'm also doing my bit for the environment now, and while the weather is good it's a fantastic way to get some outdoor exercise. Just one hour moderate cycling burns approx 300 calories, so Ive been out every day so far!
Riding for at least 20 minutes a day will mean increased fitness levels and of course the fitter you get, the faster you can go, thus increasing the energy you expend. Ride fast, breathe hard and lose the weight!
I've found a few hills to ride up too, as this works different parts of the body, and gives an all round better workout. However riding down hills is the best bit!
Obviously eating a healthy balanced nutrtitious diet, whilst exercising regularly, will result in weight loss, toning of muscles and a higher level of fitness.
If you intend to cycle remember to take a bottle of water with you to stay hydrated, and if out for more than 2 hours take a banana for energy.
Bev
So my ever considerate husband bought me a bike.
I'm also doing my bit for the environment now, and while the weather is good it's a fantastic way to get some outdoor exercise. Just one hour moderate cycling burns approx 300 calories, so Ive been out every day so far!
Riding for at least 20 minutes a day will mean increased fitness levels and of course the fitter you get, the faster you can go, thus increasing the energy you expend. Ride fast, breathe hard and lose the weight!
I've found a few hills to ride up too, as this works different parts of the body, and gives an all round better workout. However riding down hills is the best bit!
Obviously eating a healthy balanced nutrtitious diet, whilst exercising regularly, will result in weight loss, toning of muscles and a higher level of fitness.
If you intend to cycle remember to take a bottle of water with you to stay hydrated, and if out for more than 2 hours take a banana for energy.
Bev
Thursday, 8 July 2010
THE IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING
I have a wedding anniversary and a birthday in the next week! WOOHOO!!
That means wining and dining.
All it needs is a little bit of planning to prevent any weight gain and still have what you want.
It's important NOT TO STARVE yourself all day if you are going out for a meal.
EAT SENSIBLY throughout the day. Stick to fresh fruit in the morning and a large plate of salad for lunch - avoiding salad cream and mayonnaise!
Have a snack late afternoon such as nuts and dried fruit. Or, if you can, make a juice, using 4 large carrots, 2 apples and 2 celery sticks. Add a little water too if you wish.
This will prevent you being so hungry when you get to the restaurant that you dive into the bread - fatal!
Consider having a starter or a dessert - not both. Or share.
Also, drink one glass of water for each alcoholic drink so you are not dehydrated.
Having said all that, DO NOT DEPRIVE YOURSELF. Have what you fancy, but go straight back to your healthy eating the next day.
The important thing is to ENJOY THE OCCASION..........and I will!!
Bev
That means wining and dining.
All it needs is a little bit of planning to prevent any weight gain and still have what you want.
It's important NOT TO STARVE yourself all day if you are going out for a meal.
EAT SENSIBLY throughout the day. Stick to fresh fruit in the morning and a large plate of salad for lunch - avoiding salad cream and mayonnaise!
Have a snack late afternoon such as nuts and dried fruit. Or, if you can, make a juice, using 4 large carrots, 2 apples and 2 celery sticks. Add a little water too if you wish.
This will prevent you being so hungry when you get to the restaurant that you dive into the bread - fatal!
Consider having a starter or a dessert - not both. Or share.
Also, drink one glass of water for each alcoholic drink so you are not dehydrated.
Having said all that, DO NOT DEPRIVE YOURSELF. Have what you fancy, but go straight back to your healthy eating the next day.
The important thing is to ENJOY THE OCCASION..........and I will!!
Bev
Thursday, 1 July 2010
SUMMER HOLIDAYS - BE PREPARED!
Holidays are a time for relaxing and unwinding. Sadly we often gain weight because we are out of our normal routine, don't exercise enough and drink far too much! So unless you want to come home with excess baggage here are a few tips to follow........
Try to MAINTAIN YOUR CURRENT WEIGHT rather than lose any.
Take HEALTHY SNACKS for the journey, such as nuts and seeds, and dried fruit.
Keep BOTTLED WATER on hand, and drink throughout the day to stay hydrated.
If your hotel has a BUFFET, LIMIT YOURSELF TO ONE VISIT.
Have a STARTER OR A DESSERT, but not both.
If self catering make use of local FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLES - try something new.
Decide to have a few ALCOHOL FREE days - it's not compulsory to drink every day!
GET MOVING - swim, play with the children, try new watersports or simply walk along the sand.
But above all, HAVE A GREAT TIME!!
Bev
Try to MAINTAIN YOUR CURRENT WEIGHT rather than lose any.
Take HEALTHY SNACKS for the journey, such as nuts and seeds, and dried fruit.
Keep BOTTLED WATER on hand, and drink throughout the day to stay hydrated.
If your hotel has a BUFFET, LIMIT YOURSELF TO ONE VISIT.
Have a STARTER OR A DESSERT, but not both.
If self catering make use of local FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLES - try something new.
Decide to have a few ALCOHOL FREE days - it's not compulsory to drink every day!
GET MOVING - swim, play with the children, try new watersports or simply walk along the sand.
But above all, HAVE A GREAT TIME!!
Bev
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