6 Healthy Old Wives’ Tales That Are Actually True

Grandparents love an old wives’ tale. ‘Starve a fever, feed a cold,’ ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away,’ ‘eat your crusts – they make your hair curly!’ But how many of these are actually true?

We tend to take old wives’ tales with a pinch of salt – it’s only superstition after all.  But how many of us still reach for the chicken soup when we’re feeling unwell?

If you’re unconvinced that your Grandma’s words of wisdom hold any truth, these 6 tales will get you thinking.

Chicken Soup Helps Beat Sickness

They say it’s good for the soul, but can chicken soup really help fight a cold? Dr. Stephen Rennardfrom the University of Nebraska Medical Center believes so.

For centuries, it has been commended for its medicinal properties, without anyone knowing exactly why. Rennard conducted a study that compared the activity of white blood cells against infection, both with and without the presence of chicken soup. He concluded that it’s the anti-inflammatory properties found in chicken soup, which work to support the immune system and relieve cold and flu-like symptoms. 

More traditionally, soup offers the feel-good factor needed to recover from winter bugs. It’s warm and tasty – the perfect comfort food. Soup also keeps you hydrated and helps beat congestion, important factors when fighting a cold.

Carrots Help You See In The Dark

We can’t promise night vision, but this old wives’ tale isn’t as ridiculous as it first seems.  The myth was popularised back in World War II, when the British government published a press release to fool German officials. In it, they convinced readers that the Royal Air Force’s nifty night work was thanks to a high-carrot diet; that the carrots gave them superhuman seeing powers.

Jokes aside, there is some truth in what they said. Carrots are rich in vitamin A; an essential nutrient needed for healthy vision.  It helps protect the surface of the eye, reducing the risk of cataracts, glaucoma and degeneration.

Eating carrots increases your vitamin A intake and can therefore help you to see better in the dark. However, you can only see as much as humanly possible. No amount of carrots will enable you to see perfectly in complete darkness.

An Apple A Day Keeps The Doctor Away

We’ve heard it time and time again, but does it actually mean anything? According to researchers from Cornell's Food Science and Toxicology Department in New York, apples are much more than a bite to eat. In a recent study, they found that one fresh apple contains ‘antioxidant properties equivalent to 1,500 milligrams of vitamin C’ - reaching the upper limit of your recommended daily allowance.

Vitamin C is key to strengthening the immune system, protecting against cardiovascular disease and maintaining a healthy glow. However, many of an apple’s nutrients are found in its skin, so don’t peel if you want to stay fighting fit.

Fish is Brain Food

Rumour is, eating fish can make us smarter – and it’s true.  Oily fish is packed with essential omega-3 fatty acids that promote healthy cognitive function and efficiency, in particular docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). This acid plays a fundamental role in the development of nerve tissue within the brain.

By incorporating oily fish into a balanced diet, you can increase DHA levels and improve your memory/ brain performance over time. For the omega fats to work most effectively, aim to broil or grill the fish.

Parsley Cures Bad Breath

If you’re partial to a coffee or two, you might want to try shopping for parsley – it’s a natural way of dealing with bad breath. Chewing a small handful of the herb helps to neutralise toxins and keep any bad smells at bay.

Alternatively, if you don’t enjoy the taste of parsley, take your pick from other leafy greens, like peppermint and sage. These are also rich in chlorophyll; a compound packed with the anti-inflammatory properties needed to banish bad breath.

High in antioxidants, parsley deodorises the damage left by food and drink – leaving you with lovely, fresh breath that your friends will appreciate.   

Breakfast Is The Most Important Meal Of The Day

Sometimes busy schedules don’t leave us enough time for breakfast – you’re lucky if you grabbed a coffee! But neglecting this first meal of the day can be more damaging to your diet than you realise.

As the name says, breakfast ‘breaks-the-fast,’ providing much-needed nutrients after a long night’s rest. It restores glucose levels, improving focus and concentration, and gives you the carbs needed to work at your best. Ultimately, this meal is a vital source of energy; without it, you’re running on empty.

Instead of having an extra 10 minutes in bed, get up and prepare yourself a healthy, hearty breakfast that sets you up for the day ahead.

https://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/6-healthy-old-wives-tales-actually-true-090000218.html

5 A DAY on the go

If your life keeps you on the run – working late, travelling often, always busy – it might seem hard to make sure you eat enough fruit and vegetables. But by making a few easy changes, you can fit 5 A DAY into even the busiest schedule.

When you eat out, it can be hard to know exactly how much, if any, fruit and veg is in your food. For example, fast-food meals often contain less fruit and vegetables (and more fat, sugar andsalt) than the meals you'd cook for yourself.

All that can mean trouble when it comes to getting your 5 A DAY. But a few easy habits and a little planning ahead can help you increase the amount of fruit and vegetables you eat.

Adding a 5 A DAY portion

Dietitian Azmina Govindji has helped many time-pressed professionals fit 5 A DAY into their lifestyle.

"Changing your diet is a matter of acquiring a new habit," she says. "When you eat out or eat a ready meal, you're less in control of what's going into that food. So get into the habit of asking: what can I do that will add at least one portion of fruit or vegetables to this meal?"

For example, if you have a ready meal for dinner (ideally this will only happen occasionally as many are high in fat and salt), add some vegetables on the side, says Azmina.

"It can be as simple as opening a can of sweetcorn to put on the side. Just remember your question: 'What can I do to add a portion of fruit or vegetables?'"

Once you get into that habit, says Azmina, you'll find it can be applied in many different situations.

5 A DAY at breakfast

You could slice fruit over your cereal or just grab a banana before you leave the house. If your breakfast is scrambled eggs, add some mushrooms or tomatoes.

5 A DAY snacks

Take apples, clementines, pears or satsumas to work to snack on. Or why not have some carrot or celery sticks with reduced-fat houmous? This requires a little forward planning. Think about what you want to take to work and buy it the next time you do your shopping.

5 A DAY at a sandwich bar for lunch

Can you add extra salad to your sandwich, roll or baguette? And have some fruit or a fresh, unsweetened 100% fruit juice for dessert.

5 A DAY in a restaurant

Can you order a starter, side vegetable or salad, or add an extra ingredient – to a pizza for example – that will count as one portion? Check the menu for starters and sides, and don't be afraid to ask if the chef can add steamed vegetables to a dish or fruit to a pudding. Instead of ordering chips, ask for a fresh salad or some roasted vegetables.

Find out more about healthy eating out.

5 A DAY when ordering a takeaway

How can you add a portion to a takeaway? If you have a Chinese takeaway, for example, add stir-fried vegetables. When ordering a pizza, ask for extra mushrooms on top to help towards your 5 A DAY. If you're having a curry, order a side vegetable dish.

Be aware that some vegetable dishes may be high in fat. Dishes that come in a tomato or vegetable-based sauce are usually lower in fat than those in cream or cheese-based sauces. Steamed vegetables are normally lower in fat than fried vegetables.

Most takeaways and other fast foods contain high levels of fat, salt and sugar, so only have them occasionally or in small amounts as part of a balanced diet.

Find out more about healthier takeaways.

5 A DAY when eating out

Why not order a salad filled with a variety of vegetables for your main course, and ask for either a lower-fat dressing or for the dressing to be on the side so you can add less?

How will you add one portion of fruit and vegetables to food on the run? Make that question part of your daily routine and you'll soon hit your 5 A DAY target.

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/5ADAY/Pages/5ADAYontherun.aspx

Beetroot, apple, carrot and watercress iron boost

Iron boost juice drink

This juice gives you a real boost of iron, folic acid, essential minerals and anti-oxidants. What is more, the vitamin C in the vegetables and the apple juice help your body to absorb the iron. The watercress adds a lovely spicy, peppery taste and balances really well with the sweetness of the carrot and beetroot.

You might find the purple color of the juice a little unusual, but latest research suggests that purple foods such as beetroot can protect you against heart disease, strokes, cancer and Alzheimer's disease. Give it a go, you'll be pleasantly surprised ...

Method

1. Chop the carrot and the beetroot into small cubes and put in a blender with the liquid and the ice cubes.

2. Blend for a minute. Add the watercress and blend again until the mixture is really smooth.

3. Add a pinch of salt and some black pepper. Strain the juice through a tea strainer or colander.

Ingredients

• 1 small cooked beetroot (about 50g)
• 1 large carrot
• Handful of watercress (remove any thick stalks)
• 150ml apple juice
• 100ml water
• 4-5 ice cubes

Vital Statistics

Serves: 2 x 150ml glasses
Preparation: 5 minutes
Cooking: N/A
Difficulty: Easy
Good for: Delicious, fresh tasting juice to give you a real boost if you are feeling low or under the weather, brimming with vitamins, iron and disease-fighting nutrients

Calories (kcal): 52.4
Protein (g): 1
Carbs (g): 11.3
Fat (g): 0.4
Fiber (g): 1.4

http://www.realbuzz.com/articles/beetroot-apple-carrot-and-watercress-iron-boost/

Roast chicken breast, spiced potato & cauliflower

Perfect protein-filled training dish

This is proper hearty training food. This week I am doing my take on a classic Indian side dish of Sag Aloo. Cheap and easy to find, the potato, cauliflower and spinach form the base of this tasty dish. It is packed full of vitamins and nutrients and makes the most of easily found vegetables. I have used my favourite form of protein in chicken, although this dish works brilliantly if you use sea bream as well.

Ingredients

Serves 2

2 medium chicken breasts
Marinade, 1 tsp curry powder & one dash of oil
1 large onion, finely diced
1 tsp olive oil
1 tbsp curry powder
1 tsp turmeric
250g diced raw potatoes
150g chopped raw cauliflower
Large handful of fresh raw spinach
Fresh coriander to finish

 

Method

Mix together the curry powder and olive oil to form a paste, rub over the chicken breasts and allow to marinade at room temperature for 15 minutes. To cook the chicken breasts, colour in a medium sauté pan and then bake in the oven at 190c for 15-20 minutes.

To make the Sag Aloo, gently cook the onion in the olive oil for 3/4 minutes until soft, add the curry powder & turmeric and cook over a low heat for 5 minutes, ensuring it doesn't catch. Add the potato and cauliflower and cook for 15 minutes until both the potato and cauliflower are soft. Before serving add the spinach and cook for a further 2 minutes. Correct the seasoning and add the fresh coriander at the last minute.

Ingredients

2 medium chicken breasts Marinade, 1 tsp curry powder & one dash of oil 1 large onion, finely diced 1 tsp olive oil 1 tbsp Curry powder 1 tsp turmeric 250g diced raw potatoes 150g chopped raw cauliflower Large handful of fresh raw spinach Fresh coriander to finish

Vital Statistics

Serves: 2
Preparation: 15
Cooking: 20
Difficulty: Easy
Good for: After a long cold run, hearty training food

Calories (kcal): 379
Protein (g): 17
Carbs (g): 29
Fat (g): 7
Fiber (g): 10

http://www.realbuzz.com/articles/roast-chicken-breast-spiced-potato-cauliflower/

Green Vegetables Packed Full of Benefits for Nutrition

Whilst I encourage people to have a rainbow of colors on their plate, greens should dominate. Why?

The color green is actually associated with life, vitality and renewal. Greens are essential for ensuring certain cells in your skin as well as your gut function properly. Green leafy vegetables are among the most nutrient dense foods available.

An example of a green leafy vegetables list is:

Spinach
Swiss chard
Kale
Mustard leaves
Collard
Buk choy
Radicchio
Rocket
Lettuce
Watercress
Wheatgrass
Even your non-leafy green vegetables are packed full of nutrients and vitamins.

An example of a non-leafy green vegetables list is:

Asparagus
Broccoli
Celery
Beans
Okra
Peas
Brussels sprouts
Artichokes
Cucumber
At the end of the day regardless of whether you opt for green leafy vegetables or non-leafy green vegetables, they are both still great for you. One of my absolute favorite green vegetables is - spinach.

In the words of Popeye, "I'm strong to the finish when I eats me spinach." This is so true. I have spinach in salads, with my eggs for breakfast, in juices and smoothies. There are many more ways you can get the goodness of greens into you. You just need to find what suits you, and especially those of you who have children!

My young nieces weren't a huge fan of having greens when they were little. So I involved them by getting them to help me make my Green Power Smoothie. Adding some sweet fruits to the mix is great for kids as that's what they love - something sweet! So not only did they have fun, they had some greens to get the essential nutrition.

Greens are high in Iron, Magnesium, Calcium, Potassium, Phosphorous, Zinc, vitamins A, C, E, K, Folate, Chlorophyll, enzymes and many other phyto-chemicals or plant nutrients.

Greens really bring so much to the table to help support your inner ecosystem. Green vegetables benefits are vast. They have been shown to:

Boost immune function
Provide steady energy
Promote healthy intestinal flora
Improve liver, kidney and gallbladder function
Help reduce inflammation
Keep disease away
Help clear congestion
Purify the blood
Improve circulation
According to a study published in the International Journal of Cancer, researchers found that increasing intakes of green leafy vegetables were associated with a 41% decrease risk of skin cancer. The study also showed that people who previously had skin cancer had a 55% decrease in skin cancer by increasing their intakes of green leafy vegetables.

Disease flourishes in an acidic body. The ability to alkalize our body is one of the most powerful and important ways of interrupting carcinogenic incubations. Green leafy vegetables have that ability as they alkalize the body. That alone should have you piling the greens on your plate.


http://ezinearticles.com/?Green-Vegetables-Packed-Full-of-Benefits-for-Nutrition&id=8773856

Healthy Eating Doable Challenge #12: De-Stress Your Diet

Stress. We all experience it, and for many of us, it can lead to poor eating choices. But research suggests that by tweaking your diet, you can actually fight stress. "What you feel, how you perceive things, and how focused you are is a reflection of brain chemistry—and you have some control over that chemistry based on what you eat," explains Drew Ramsey, M.D., an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University in New York and the coauthor with Tyler Graham of The Happiness Diet: A Nutritional Prescription for a Sharp Brain, Balanced Mood, and Lean, Energized Body. Changing your diet isn't a magic bullet for every emotional problem, but what you eat can help quell short-term anxiety and even fight long-term stress while minimizing its effects on your body and your brain. For this Healthy Eating Doable Challenge, we asked Dr. Ramsey to share his advice on food choices that can help fight stress—and for other hints on how to "de-stress your diet."

4 Tips for Eating to Beat Stress

• Avoid Processed Foods

Full of excess sugar and sodium, trans fats, artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and other additives, processed foods "tell lies to your brain, and that is very, very stressful to you as an organism," Dr. Ramsey says. Trans fats, for example, can actually increase your risk for depression.

• Don't skip or skimp on meals

"There's nothing more stressful to the body than erratic, unplanned eating," Dr. Ramsey warns.

• Feed your body food that works

The seven foods listed below are rich in mood-boosting compounds, including the nutrients that Dr. Ramsey refers to as the "essential elements of happiness": vitamin B12, iodine, magnesium, cholesterol, vitamin D, calcium, fiber, folate, vitamin A, omega-3s, vitamin E, and iron. As he writes in The Happiness Diet, these nutrients work together to "fight low mood, low energy, [and] cloudy thinking."

• Eat a super stress-fighter food every day

For this month's Doable Challenge, help keep stress levels in check by eating one of the seven super stress-fighting foods listed below every day (to make it easy, we've suggested recipes from Epicurious, The Happiness Diet, and Dr. Ramsey's latest book, Fifty Shades of Kale, cowritten withJennifer Iserloh). If you miss a day or indulge in some highly processed foods, don't beat yourself up; just start fresh tomorrow. After all, this particular challenge is about reducing stress, not creating it!

Stress-Busting Food #1: Mussels

This bivalve tops Dr. Ramsey's list of stress-reducing foods for a number of reasons. Mussels have a good amount of omega-3 fats, as well as vitamin B12, some vitamin D, folate, iron, and iodine, for a whopping 6 out of 12 "essential elements of happiness." Dr. Ramsey says that just being low in B12—not even technically deficient in the vitamin—can lead to irritability, depression, fuzzy-headedness, and changes in sleep. While fortified cereals, cheese, and yogurt offer some B12, just 1 ounce of mussels has more than 100 percent of the daily value for B12! Plus, mussels by their very nature tend to promote a way of eating that's social, mindful, moderate, and relaxing: "You are not going to pick up the phone when you have mussel hands," Dr. Ramsey jokes. "Generally, when you eat mussels you are going to sit with someone, and you are going to enjoy this big pot of mussels, and you are going to eat slowly."
Recipes to try:
• Spicy Steamed Mussels with Garlic Bread
• Cioppino
• Linguine with Butternut Squash, Spinach, and Mussels

Stress-Busting Food #2: Kale

"One thing that stresses the brain and the body is just simply too many calories," Dr. Ramsey explains. So what makes kale one of his favorite superfoods? "Kale wins out because of nutrient density.… With just a few calories you get an amazing number of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients." By making low-cal kale the centerpiece of a meal, not only do you avoid stressing your body out by overeating, you also cut down on the mental stress that comes with feeling guilty about it. Just 1 cup of kale has almost seven times your daily vitamin K requirement, a key nutrient not just for fighting inflammation but also for the production of anxiety-regulating neurotransmitters. Kale is an excellent source of absorbable calcium; too-low levels of calcium can contribute to anxiety and irritability, as well as worsen PMS symptoms for women. The dark, leafy green is also a great source of mood-boosting folate and a host of phytonutrients.
Recipes to try:
• Google's Braised Chicken and Kale
• Scallion Fish with Sesame Kale
• Kale Pesto with Toasted Walnuts

Stress-Busting Food #3: Dark Chocolate

The health benefits of chocolate are well known: For one, it can boost longevity. But Dr. Ramsey points out another benefit: "Dark chocolate is one of the few foods that have ever been shown to acutely improve mood." Yes, there's some empirical evidence to back up all of our anecdotal evidence that eating chocolate makes you feel better: In a limited trial, subjects who were given dark chocolate squares showed improvement in mood and focus. Cacao beans contain naturally stimulating compounds that promote the release of dopamine. And since it's a natural stimulant, dark chocolate in moderation can help boost energy when you're tired or run-down. As a bonus, "switching from other sweets to dark chocolate means you are getting less sugar, more phytonutrients, and more nutrient density." So you heard it here: Doctor's orders are to have some dark chocolate when you need a pick-me-up.
Recipes to try:
• Almond-Cherry Chocolate Bark
• Deep Dark Chocolate Cookies
• Cocoa Delight

Stress-Busting Food #4: Better Meat

First things first: Cut out processed meats (e.g., hot dogs, pepperoni, deli meat) in favor of seafood, fish, and vegetarian sources of protein; and when you eat pork, lamb, beef, and poultry, choose cuts from animals that are raised in sustainable, humane environments. Meat is a great source of many mood-boosting nutrients, notably protein, iron, and vitamin B12. Iron, for example, helps deliver oxygen throughout the body, and helps your brain produce serotonin, dopamine, and other mood-regulating neurotransmitters. There are vegetarian sources of iron (check out lentils, chickpeas, and spinach), but the most readily absorbable type—heme iron—is found in meat, as well as in poultry and fish. "Meat is misunderstood," says Dr. Ramsey. "It is very nutrient-dense, and pasture-raised, grass-fed, and wild animals yield a better mix of fats, fewer calories, and more antioxidants like vitamin E and beta-carotene, plus a good dose of tryptophan, which is the main building block of serotonin."
Recipes to try:
• Perfect Pork Chops
• Grass-Fed Meatballs Marinara
• Beef and Kale Tacos

Stress-Busting Food #5: Farm-Fresh Eggs

Eggs are "one of the few foods that have both folate and vitamin B12, which are two molecules closely linked to having low mood and anxiety," explains Dr. Ramsey. He also notes that eggs are the top dietary source of choline, "one of the few nutrients that are actually linked to lower levels of anxiety." Eggs also provide vitamin D, a nutrient whose deficiency has been linked to mood problems. And try to opt for eggs from free-range chickens. Why? "When you get a real pasture-raised egg where the animal has lived outside while it was making that egg, you get more nutrients," Dr. Ramsey emphasizes. "You get more omega-3 fats, [and] that dark orange yolk means there's more carotenoids in there." Talk about a good egg.
Recipes to try:
• Egg Sandwich with Green Bean Slaw
• Eggs in Purgatory with Artichoke Hearts, Potatoes, and Capers
• Bibimbap at Home

Stress-Busting Food #6: Purple Potatoes

Whether it's French fries, mashed potatoes, or chips, spuds are a popular source of comfort in times of stress. There are various theories as to why carb-rich foods are so comforting, but Dr. Ramsey notes that eating carbs increases tryptophan (the same chemical responsible for that happy, relaxed, post-turkey buzz at Thanksgiving) as well as serotonin synthesis in the brain. So if potatoes are your carbs of choice, choose spuds that are smaller (with a greater ratio of skin to flesh) and more colorful. By choosing small, unpeeled purple potatoes over an Idaho, you get more nutrients, such as folate, phytonutrients, and fiber, without as much starch. "It's about little swaps," Dr. Ramsey says.
Recipes to try:
• Grilled Potato Smash
• Oven-Roasted Fries
• Haricot Vert, Edamame, and Purple-Potato Salad

Stress-Busting Food #7: Anchovies

Wild salmon gets a lot of press when it comes to its mood-elevating omega-3s, but Dr. Ramsey reminds us that there are other fish in the sea. He's particularly partial to anchovies as a great source of both healthy fat and iodine. Iodine is found in large doses in sea creatures and plants (making seaweed a great vegan source), and is essential for healthy thyroid function; an underactive thyroid can cause a myriad of health problems, including low energy and depression. As it turns out, anchovies are also a super-sustainable and affordable choice when it comes to seafood. Dr. Ramsey likes to make a kale Caesar with anchovy dressing and eggs for the ultimate stress-busting meal; follow his lead and use anchovies to amp up the umami in some of your favorite dishes.
Recipes to try:
• Happy Fish Salad Sandwiches
• Tuscan Kale Caesar Slaw
• Pasta with Spicy Anchovy Sauce and Dill Bread Crumbs

http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/healthy/news/happy-foods-destress-diet-doable-challenges?mbid=synd_cnholiday_food

7 FOODS FOR BETTER SEX

1. ASPARAGUS


The folate in asparagus increases levels of histamine, a neurotransmitter that helps you orgasm. At least that's one thing to make up for asparagus wee, then...

2. BANANAS

Bananas are actually very sexy fruits - no, not like that! They're packed with potassium, which is essential for sexual hormone production.

3. BROWN RICE


Brown rice is a top source of magnesium, which your muscles need to contract (read: spasm) during an orgasm. Stir-fry tonight, anyone?

4. DARK CHOCOLATE


According to a recent study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, people who eat at least one square of dark chocolate a day experience greater desire and better overall sexual function.

5. CHILLI SAUCE


Get saucy and turn up the heat in the bedroom with some chilli. Eating capsaicin – the chemical that gives chilli its heat – mirrors the signs of arousal (sweating, tingles, rapid heart rate, flushed cheeks). Hot!

6. OATS


Granted, it's not the sexiest looking food but porridge has a hidden talent – it increases testosterone. Turns out that testosterone is vital for both men and women's sex drive. Who knew?

7. HONEY


Honey contains boron, a mineral that helps women’s bodies process estrogen - vital for arousal. Sweet

Read more: http://www.womenshealthmag.co.uk/sex-love/libido-boosters/1475/7-foods-for-better-sex#ixzz3EF5BbpTqhttp://www.womenshealthmag.co.uk/sex-love/libido-boosters/1475/7-foods-for-better-sex/

Detox diets

Popular diet plans assessed

With a wide choice of diets out there to help with weight loss, choosing the right diet plan is not an easy task. Here we put detox diets under the microscope so you can decide whether it is the right diet to aid your weight loss.

The theory behind detox diets

Detox diets are based on the theory that our bodies are continually subjected to toxins such as pesticides, food additives, high-fat foods and alcohol. Detoxification takes these toxins out of the body. The length of the diet can vary, but the main food groups included are organic fruit, vegetables, juices, herbal teas, rice and drinking lots and lots of water.

Our opinion on detox diets — marked out of 10 (10 stars being the highest)

Satisfying hunger
Good for health
Ease to follow
Expense
Overall rating

Overall verdict on detox diets

Detox diets generally rely on the fact that they are very low in calories. Whole food groups are often cut out which obviously leads to imbalance. These diets are very restrictive. There are better ways of achieving long-term success at weight loss that are more nutritionally-balanced and easier to follow.

Pros about detox diets

• Rapid weight loss.
• May help to increase the amount of fruit and vegetables in the diet.

Cons about detox diets

• Wind may be a problem as detox diets often recommend very high-fiber foods.
• There is not any advice on how to change eating habits for the long term.
• Rigid structure means it is hard to fit in with everyday living.
• Only a short-term, quick fix.

Alcohol — not allowed.
Suitable for vegetarians — yes.
Suitable for vegans — yes.
Suitable for coeliacs — yes.
Need to buy specialist foods — yes, as some of the foods recommended may be unfamiliar to you.
Restaurant friendly — no, many restaurants use sugar, salt, additives and canned and packaged food — all of these are banned in detox diets.

http://www.realbuzz.com/articles/detox-diets/

5 health facts you don’t want to hear

Tough health truths you need to know

Healthy living is tough, especially with the amount of misleading myths and products that surround the industry. These facts might not be encouraging, but you need to know them if you are serious about living healthily. Here are the top 5 health facts you don’t want to hear.

There is no quick fix

Nowadays we are constantly bombarded with promises from the next big thing in fad dieting, with claims of ‘instant results’ or ‘dropping pounds overnight’. As much as we’d like these boasts to be true, they sadly aren’t at all. Studies actually show that fad diets result in weight gain. Research published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that the majority of participants who went through fad diets instantly gained weight following the diet due to lowered levels of the hunger suppressing hormones peptide YY and leptin.

Science aside, ask yourself this – are you really going to keep up with those ridiculous eating habits in the long term? Diets with such severe results are 99 per cent of the time completely unrealistic, and the sooner you accept that the sooner you’ll start learning healthy eating habits that actually work.

Exercising doesn’t mean you can eat what you like

Whilst it’s true that exercising frequently means you can enjoy the odd guilt-free treat once in a while, it should by no means be an excuse to eat to excess. In half an hour of running the average person will burn around 250 calories. You can eat the equivalent amount in any range of snacks in a matter of minutes. You’ll notice these time scales don’t balance out, so if you continue to eat unhealthily you’ll soon find that the effects of exercise simply can’t keep up.

A simple way of avoiding this temptation is by counting the calories you burn and consume. Once you see how much effort you have to put in to burn off even small snacks, you’ll realise exercising isn’t a free pass to stuff your face with junk.

‘Health foods’ can be unhealthy

Many supposedly ‘healthy’ foods aren’t quite what they’re made out to be. For example, if it claims to be fat free it’s probably packed with sugar. Sugar free? You can bet it’ll be full of artificial sweeteners. Take cereal bars as an example. This popular ‘healthy’ breakfast choice can contain around four teaspoons of sugar per bar, as well as high amounts of saturated fat. A survey conducted by consumer magazine Which? showed that an alarming 97 per cent of cereal bars on the market contain added sugar.

Drinks aren’t much better either. ‘Diet’, ‘light’ and ‘sugar free’ versions of your favourite drink can seem like a great healthy alternative, but according to a study conducted at the Texas Health Science Center, people who frequently consume diet drinks are 41 per cent more likely to be overweight. It’s thought that this is because the concoction of artificial flavourings and sweeteners found in these drinks can spark the appetite, whilst simultaneously inhibiting the brain cells that tell your body it’s full.

You can’t target an area of your body to lose weight

‘Spot training’, as it’s often called, is a health myth that sadly isn’t true. Losing weight on a particular part of your body with targeted training is not a realistic goal. Yes, that’s why those thousands of crunches you’ve been doing haven’t dented your beer belly. There are plenty of studies that have proven this to be the case, including one carried out at the University of Massachusetts. Participants who ‘targeted’ their stomachs by only doing abdomen exercises were found to lose weight equally across their abdomens, upper backs and buttocks.

Instead of worrying about a certain target area when you work out, you should focus on losing weight all over your body. That means there’s no way of quickly ditching that flabby stomach other than good old-fashioned exercise and healthy eating.

Fruit and veg aren’t what they used to be

It’s a well-known fact that eating fruit and vegetables is a great way of keeping your diet healthy and nutritious. But did you know the fruit and veg available today isn’t as healthy as it once was? Go back just 50 years and you’d find fruit that is higher in six major nutrients including protein, calcium, iron and Vitamin C. This was revealed in a study at the University of Texas, with some modern-day fruits seeing as much as a 38% reduction in certain nutrients.

The researchers put this down to modern farming methods, including hybrid breeding of crops to make them larger, and the range of pesticides being used which have stripped some of the nutrients from soil. However, fruit and veg are still a great source of nutrition in your diet, so until a time machine is invented you’ll just have to make do with what we have available today.http://www.realbuzz.com/articles/5-health-facts-you-don-t-want-to-hear/

Ten ways to boost your health

When it comes to good health, there’s no big secret. Here are 10 things you can do today to improve your health.

1. Check your weight

Nearly three in 10 women and four in 10 men in England are overweight. Obesity causes 9,000 premature deaths every year and, on average, reduces life expectancy by nine years. Use ourBMI calculator to find out if you’re a healthy weight or whether you're at risk of serious health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. If you need to bring your weight down, you’ll find everything you need to know in ourlose weight and health and fitness sections or you could try our12-week weight loss guide.

2. Drink less

Most people are unaware that regularly drinking more alcohol than is advised by the NHS can lead to a wide range of long-term health problems, including cancers, strokes, and heart attacks. For example, men who regularly drink more than three to four units a day are three times more likely to have a stroke. Visit ourdrinking and alcohol section to calculate your drinking levels, read about the health risks of drinking too much, and find out where you can get help.

3. Eat less salt and fat

Excessive salt and fat in our diets is a major cause of chronic illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Too much salt in your food can cause high blood pressure and make you three times more likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke. Two thirds of Britons have too much saturated fat in their diets, putting them at an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Get tips on cutting your fat and salt intake in lower your cholesterol and say no to salt.

4. Exercise regularly

The benefits of exercise aren't limited to losing weight. Even if you’re slim, you’ll still get health benefits from exercising. Even a small amount of regular activity can lower the risk of developing major chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes, by up to 50%. Regular exercise can cut the risk of premature death by 20-30%. You’ll find plenty of fun and practical ideas to help you get moving in our health and fitnesssection.

5. Eat more fruit and veg

For a healthy and balanced diet, try to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Research shows that eating at least 400g of fruit and vegetables a day can lower your risk of serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Whether you're cooking for a family, eating on the run, or on a tight budget, our tips and recipes can help you get your 5 A DAY.

6. Keep stress in check

In 2010/11 around 400,000 people in the UK reported work-related stress at a level they believed was making them ill. Psychological problems, including stress, are the underlying reason for one in five visits to a GP. If left unchecked, stress can lead to further health problems such as high blood pressure, anxiety, and depression. Learn to manage stress better with ourtop 10 stress busters, advice on good time management, andrelaxation tips.

7. Improve your sleep

Nearly everyone has problems sleeping at some point in their life. It's thought that a third of people in the UK have bouts of insomnia. Most healthy adults sleep for an average of seven to nine hours a night. If you’re not getting enough sleep, it can affect relationships, your performance at work, and it can delay recovery from illness. Good sleep starts with a good bedtime ritual and some simple lifestyle changes.

8. Quit smoking

The health benefits of quitting smoking are immediate. After 20 minutes, your blood pressure and pulse return to normal. After 24 hours, your lungs start to clear. After three days you can breathe more easily, and your energy increases. Keep it up and you’re adding years to your life. Research shows that people who quit smoking by the age of 30 add 10 years to their life. For help with quitting, including what your GP can do and nicotine replacement therapies, visit stop smoking.

9. Get a sexual health test 

Many people don’t notice any symptoms when they have a sexually transmitted infection (STI), such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea. If left untreated, chlamydia can affect a woman’s ability to get pregnant. You can’t tell by looking at someone whether they’ve got an infection, so it’s important to get a check-up if you’ve ever had unprotected sex. Getting tested and treated for STIs is easier than you think, and most infections can be cured. 

10. Check that lump

One in three people in England is diagnosed with cancer at some time in their life. Cancer usually affects older people, but it can occur at any age. Detecting most cancers early means that treatment is more likely to be successful. Sometimes, noticing a small change, like a lump, changes to a mole, or unexplained weight loss, can make a big difference to your health

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/healthy-living/Pages/Ten-ways-to-boost-your-health.aspx