Blog

Do you drink too much or not enough?

How much water should you drink in a day? You could ask anyone in the street, and most people would know that the recommended fluid intake is 1.5 to 2 litres or 6-8 glasses. Indeed, that is what the Eatwell Guide recommends. The NHS, although quoting the Eatwell Guide as well, suggests that we drink “plenty of water”. But how much is “plenty”? Is there, perhaps, an upper limit?

How to Beat Summer Stress

Summer gets some fantastic PR. The very word makes you think of lazy days by the pool, relaxed dining on a balmy evening, sunsets and spritzes, carefree drives in a sporty convertible with your hair blowing in the breeze. Sadly, that’s not the reality for many of us, working away doing all the usual stuff we have to do in the (sometimes) blistering heat. The real truth is that summer burnout is real – and August might be draining you more than you realise. And, if you’re feeling more frazzled than fresh right now, you’re not alone. This time of year is usually anything but restful.

Easy Ideas for Everyday Activity

If you’ve not exercised for a while, or if it’s not really ever been on your agenda, starting movement can be a daunting task. Firstly, if you have any health conditions or physical issues, or you just haven’t moved for a long time, check with your GP or healthcare provider that it’s ok to start a new movement programme.

Once that’s checked off, start slowly. Adding in just one exercise session per week and doing it consistently is much more beneficial than trying to exercise every day and only managing it for a week. Start slowly, build the habit, and then layer on more types of movement.

Are You Spending Too Much Time Sitting Down?

In today's modern society, sedentary lifestyles have become increasingly common, largely due to the types of jobs we do and the advancements in tech. Many people spend most of their day sitting at a desk, in front of a computer screen, or in a vehicle. But research has shown that prolonged sitting can have detrimental effects on overall health and can contribute to the development of chronic health conditions.

Good health begins as a thought

Achieving long-term health and energy is a balancing act. Quite simply, what you put into your mind may have as much of an impact as the food and supplements you feed your body.

Many studies have been conducted on the mind-body connection. What we know for sure is that a positive attitude works – when we remember to nurture it.

How to regain your sense of calm

Palpitations, a dry mouth, sweating, insomnia are just some of the unmistakable signs of anxiety. Everyone has experienced these symptoms at some point in their life. Who hasn't felt stage fright before a presentation, hyperventilated before an exam or spent a sleepless night before their dental appointment?

Under normal circumstances, you get through the situation in question unscathed, and life goes on. However, it is very different for people who suffer from anxiety disorders. Patients with this condition experience virtually no relief or respite because their anxiety is unrelated to a specific situation or event and is – objectively – unfounded. There is no single challenge to get through and move on. Their anxiety goes on constantly, from one situation to the next, and the next, and the next ...

The Healing Power of Community

Ever feel like the weight of the world is a little lighter after a chat with a friend or a shared laugh with a group? It's not in your head. Science shows that community and connection are powerful ingredients in the recipe for better health - and they might just be the missing piece of your wellbeing puzzle

Spotlight on High Blood Pressure

Is your blood pressure under 120/80mmHg? If you don’t know your numbers, here’s why it really matters.

How does a nutritionist tackle Christmas?

Christmas doesn’t have to be a dance between deprivation and over-indulgence. It’s a question of balance. It’s a question of figuring what matters most. What are the must-haves and must-dos this year, and what are the might-as-wells (even though you’re not that fussed)?

Bring the Hygge

There’s so much to love about the journey into winter. If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, cold lashing rain might be the reality, but there are so many ways you can spin the next few months so they feel like a delight for the senses rather than a drain on your reserves. How? We need to take our lead from the Scandinavians, who have the joys of this entire season rolled into one gorgeous concept Hygge.

My Top Tips to Survive the Bank Holiday Weekend

I love Bank Holiday weekends! A time to reconnect with family and friends, but it's also a signal that we're coming to the end of the summer. Whatever your plans are this weekend, check out my top tips for navigating it wisely.

Is lack of sleep sabotaging your health?

Sleep matters big time. Without enough sleep, you create an uphill battle in so many different ways. Sleep – how much you have and the quality of it – matters even more than you probably realise, and not getting enough is sabotaging your health and any health goals you might have. Today I’d like to share exactly why it matters so much and what to do about it.

10 Tips to Stay Healthy All Summer Long

As the temperatures rise and the days get longer, it's the perfect time to revitalise your health and wellbeing. In this blog, I’ll explore simple yet effective strategies to keep you feeling your best during the sunny season. From hydration tips to sleep solutions, I've got you covered, so let's dive in and make this summer your healthiest yet.

Lifestyle Changes to Improve Your Mood

Sleep and exercise to help improve your mood

Food and Mood

The link between physical health and what you eat is well understood, but did you know that what you eat has a huge impact on your mood and how you feel?
I wonder how we forgot about this connection, because it was common knowledge in times gone by. Way back when (think medieval times), people would eat quince, dates and elderflowers if they were feeling a little blue and use lettuce and chicory as nature’s tranquilisers.

10 Reasons Why You Need More Sleep

I’m sure you’re already aware that getting more sleep is a great idea, but here’s something I see a lot in my nutrition clinic: knowing something doesn’t mean doing it.
Sometimes I feel it’s because people aren’t completely sure why sleep is so important for their health and, without that vital piece of information in place, it’s hard to persuade yourself it’s something you should be doing when there are so many other things calling for your attention and your valuable time.

Is self-compassion the key to unlocking your health goals?

In the pursuit of better health, we often focus on the physical aspects – diet, exercise, and sleep – while neglecting a vital component: our emotional wellbeing. You might already appreciate this conceptually but here’s an important question to ponder: how do you treat yourself when you make a mistake, or you don’t reach your goals? Do you treat yourself with kindness and understanding like you would a friend or do you beat yourself up for your so-called failings? If, like most people, your tendency is to berate yourself, it’s time to bring a little more self-compassion into your life. It’s good to be kind to yourselves and it can be your greatest ally in reaching your health goals.

How to Break Through a Plateau

When you have a specific health goal and feel you are putting in the work, it’s tough when you don’t see the changes you feel you deserve. It’s tempting to give up, but here’s what to do instead.

Are You Affected by Quitter's Day

As you gear up for another start to a New Year, you might find yourself in the familiar territory of making resolutions in the hope that they somehow stick. You know the drill – enthusiastic promises to hit the gym regularly, eat more greens, lose that extra weight, get more organised, or maybe cut back on alcohol.

How often have those January aspirations fizzled out by the time February rolls around? It's a tale as old as time – the grand intentions, the initial burst of motivation, and then... well, life happens.

Seven Steps to Good Health this Winter

If you're looking to ramp up your immune health over winter, you might be wondering, "How do I gear up my body to tackle those pesky illnesses?" Well, boosting your immunity isn't a walk in the park, but a few tweaks in your lifestyle and diet can give your body's defence system a serious upgrade against those sneaky pathogens.

Are you at the mercy of Christmas FOMO?

Christmas
Nutrition
Lifestyle
FOMO

How to regain your sense of calm

Palpitations, a dry mouth, sweating, insomnia are just some of the unmistakable signs of anxiety. Everyone has experienced these symptoms at some point in their life. Who hasn't felt stage fright before a presentation, hyperventilated before an exam or spent a sleepless night before their dental appointment?

My Top 5 Tips for Building Healthy Habits

People frequently think about ‘being healthy’, without paying much detail to the specific actions that they are taking (or not) to take care of themselves.
Would you describe yourself as a healthy person?
You might say ‘I go to the gym’ but how many times have you been in the last month?
You might think you get enough fruit and veg into your diet each day, but how many portions a day did you average over the last few weeks?
Did you ever think about the extent to which you are tired, whether your hormones are balance, the amount of water you drink, and so on?

Top Tips for a Better Night’s Sleep

Here are my top tips for getting a better night’s sleep. See what you can put into action.

Sleep Well for Better Health

Sleep really is a gamechanger for your health and for your emotional wellbeing but even so, scientists are only just starting to begin to understand the biological role. I know that you know that everything looks better when you are well rested. It’s an essential function for everyone and lack of it can wreak havoc with all kinds of functions in the body, from your lived experience every day, to weight gain, lowered immunity, and increased risk for metabolic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease.

Could Practising Gratitude Be The Answer To Your Health Problems?

Feeling grateful is more than a nice feeling. The more you feel grateful, the luckier you feel and the happier you are. You’re less stressed and your outlook, more positive. And healthier, too. Who would not want that? Let me explain how gratitude works and how you can tap into it.

How to help your child cope with exam stress

The exam season is just around the corner and, whether it’s SATs, GCSEs, A Levels, or university finals, as parents we want to know we are doing everything we possibly can to help support our children through what could be a stressful period with lots of anxiety.

Setting goals that work

Having aspirations is a wonderful thing. We should all strive to better ourselves and realise our dreams. However, you need to keep your feet on the ground. If you set yourself the goal to learn how to play the saxophone with the aim of joining a jazz band, touring New York clubs and by next year, you may be overstretching yourself a bit – and that can be the exact opposite of empowering.

6 expert ways to beat stress at Christmas and feel calm TODAY

It’s meant to be ‘the most wonderful time of the year’ but the pressure of the holidays can often mean a stress overload. Here’s what to do about it.

Set Yourself up for Holiday Success

A little holiday gift for you!! I'm giving away my Ultimate Holiday Eating Strategy - a guide to helping you to have your best holiday and stay on track with your health goals.

Ways to Restore Body Confidence

How often do you look in the mirror and criticise the image reflecting back at you? Or look at a recent photo and inwardly cringe at your arms / legs / bum / tummy? It Doesn't have to be that way.

Ever wondered how your relationship with food developed? (And how to fix what you don’t like)

Food is for nourishment. If you use it for any other purpose, remember the relationship you have with food developed over time and many things will impact it. But when you want to make practical changes, it can be useful to explore your formative years.

Good health begins as a thought

Achieving long-term health and energy is a balancing act. Quite simply, what you put into your mind may have as much of an impact as the food and supplements you feed your body.

Mindful Eating

Expert tips - Stress – how does it affect us and how can nutrition and exercise help?

How can diet help with dealing with chronic stress? Whilst it may be tempting to go for quick, comfort eats and throw out healthy habits, stressful times are when good nutrition can be at its most effective.

Work With Me

Follow me on social media