Navigating a balanced vegan or vegetarian diet can sometimes be overwhelming especially now with increased availability in supermarkets. So what should you be looking out for to keep healthy?

Out of all the questions I get asked about nutrition, iron is one of the most frequent. This might be because so many of us feel tired constantly or the fact that iron is associated with red meat and people’s concerns about not getting enough with a more plant focussed way of eating.

Protein is an essential macronutrient, made up of amino acids which are vital for growth, development and repair. There are 20 different amino acids in total, 11 of which can be synthesised by our body and 9 ‘essential amino acids’ that we need to obtain from food. 

The free from aisles in supermarkets have exploded with an abundance of gluten free products and I often hear of people (and new clients) choosing gluten free products with the belief they are making healthier choices.

During the holidays, celebrations are often centred around food, intensifying the challenges faced by someone with an eating disorder. Because this can be a stressful time, here are some tips to help you manage the holidays.

Supporting gut health is a topic I am fascinated about and discuss regularly in clinic. Recent research shows that eating a variety of different plant foods has been shown to have the most significant impact on gut health.

Smoothies can be a great way of increasing your daily fruit & veg intake and can work well alongside a meal or as a snack. 

The UK supplement industry is huge and growing rapidly - expected to be worth £559 million by 2025. You can find pills, herbs, tinctures, powders that support literally every ailment and desire in most supermarkets, health food stores and pharmacists.

I often get asked what the miracle food or diet is that will result in a bulletproof immune system, endless energy, a healthy gut, weight loss and prevent physical and mental ill health. The honest answer is there isn’t one single food or diet that will work for everyone. 

I am regularly asked about the impact of caffeine on health and although there is no absolute ‘wrong’ or ‘right’ in nutrition, understanding the facts can empower you to make your own decisions on whether foods might work for you. 

Mindful eating is an approach to food that focuses on being fully present while you eat. It can be a powerful way of increasing awareness around your senses whilst you eat, any thoughts or feelings that arise and becoming intune with physical hunger and satiety cues to guide eating decisions. 

We are lucky enough in the UK to have access to most foods all year round however focusing on eating with the seasons can have numerous nutritional benefits.

Fibre is found in a variety of different plant foods and is a key component for optimal gut health. There are two different forms of fibre, soluble and insoluble fibre with most plants containing a mixture of both.

Gut health is a rather trendy topic at the moment with more and more research revealing the importance of our gut microbiota in maintaining optimal health.

I was lucky enough to be asked by Bare Biology to write about the stress response for their online magazine. Bare Biology sell high quality fish oil supplements and are huge advocates for mental health.

Vitamin D, also known as the sunshine vitamin, plays a vital role in numerous bodily processes including immune function, mood regulation, energy production and bone health.