Diet | Health and Fitness

Bored Brits turn to sweet treats for comfort

A survey by Bach Original Flower Essences has revealed a whopping 76% of people turn to food for comfort over a girlie chat, alcohol or going it alone. Boredom (36%) is the most common emotion to cause Brits to reach for the fridge closely followed by stress (32%).

New research reveals only 1 in 3 obese Brits earn over £20,000

Overweight and obese Britons are struggling to stay above the national average wage according to new research released ahead of National Obesity Week.

Relaxation in a bar

You’ve tried them all - muesli bars, protein bars, breakfast bars, energy bars - but how about a ‘relaxation’ bar?

Yummy mummy lose their baby tummies in the countryside

Women struggling to lose their baby weight are turning to intensive exercise weeks in the countryside. By booking a week at the FitFarms weight-loss camp, tired mothers are transforming themselves back into yummy mummies.

The other end of the scales?

A survey released today has found that 1 in 5 people in the UK mistakenly believe that malnutrition is only a problem in the third world! However, they couldn’t be further from the truth. With over 3 million people in the UK being malnourished or at risk of malnutrition, it is actually far closer to home.

Give your self-confidence a boost with a healthy diet

The nation’s quarterly Self-Confidence Index, by Pomegreat, the pomegranate experts, has highlighted that an overwhelming majority of us (83.3%), agree that self-confidence is strongly linked to our health.

Mums suffering 'lunch box breakdown'

Picky children, few ingredients and early mornings rushing around trying to organise the family before school… when it comes to making up their kids’ lunchboxes, mums certainly don’t have it easy.

New research reveals extent of UK’s ‘wasted wardrobe’

In the grip of recession, each British woman owns a shocking £259.20 worth of clothes they’re unable to fit in to, leaving the nation with over £5 billion worth of clothes left redundant in wardrobes across the country.

Turning up the pleasure of muesli

Breakfast lovers looking for a tasty comfort food in the morning can now help themselves to a bowlful of a new baked muesli - say hello to Kellogg’s Nature’s Pleasure.

Regulator squashes smoothie doubts

With so many conflicting messages in the press these days about what is and isn’t good for you, it’s no wonder we feel confused about what we can do to keep our bodies healthy.

Fight the winter blues with a little help from nature

Prevention is better than cure. When it gets colder we become more susceptible to flu and cold viruses. Chase away the dreaded symptoms of thick head, bunged nose and chesty cough by boosting your immune system with antioxidant rich blueberries.

Get in ‘shake’ and give your body a boost

Research shows that adults lose between 0.5 and 2 percent of their muscle each year once they reach 40. As a result, it is essential that we include enough muscle-boosting protein in our diets as we get older.

Is it time to ditch the ‘girly’ diets?

Despite being of the fairer sex, Jeni Blaskett gained her weight like many men do. She was a beer drinker – a big one. She wanted to lose weight, but couldn’t face the idea of ordering a mineral water in a pub when everyone else was having a pint.

Get your man to ‘Beltdown’ – The new diet for guys

It appears that men are better than women at dieting, when they actually decide to put their minds to it that is. But getting them excited about weight loss is where the problem lies.

Bulging men want a slice of their wives' weight-loss pie

This country is at war with obesity and now men are joining their women in the fight, says Exante Diet.

Can new 'distance diet' help the obese?

With some 45 per cent of Britain’s population now classed as ‘obese’, there are many of us who would like to shed some pounds and become both slimmer and healthier.

New diet concept rebels against tradition

The diet industry is bigger than ever yet the nation is at its fattest. This has inspired sports, fitness and eating and body image therapist, Emma James to create her own “Rebel Diet”.

Change4Life corner shops to open across the country

Corner shops nationwide can now get help from the ‘Change4Life’ scheme to sell more fruit and veg – which should see a high number of people getting their 5 a day and shops seeing an increase in profits.

The shape of things to come

Whether you’re in your twenties or fifties, the hour glass figure remains the body shape the majority of us aspire to.

Why stress to impress?

Residents in Andover can show their cheeky side on Sunday 14 June 2009 by uniting in their pants for the annual "Pants in the Park" 5K fun run, in partnership with Simplyhealth, for Prostate UK.

Fern Britton launches ‘Summer Fit Challenge’

Summer has finally arrived - and that means it's crunch time as we swap our winter cover-ups for summer frocks and swimsuits. But how can we avoid resorting to crash dieting or short-term fixes to achieve that summer bod, so we can all feel good and look good in the sun this summer?

Summer snacking that won’t ruin your bikini diet

Residents in Andover can show their cheeky side on Sunday 14 June 2009 by uniting in their pants for the annual "Pants in the Park" 5K fun run, in partnership with Simplyhealth, for Prostate UK.

Mood food – Top tips for healthy snacking

We all know that food can be comforting on occasion – when we’re having problems with loved ones, or during that time of the month. A third of women regularly attempt to eat themselves into a better state of mind. But how can we make sure we’re snacking on the right foods? Our tips below may help limit the damage to waistline and willpower caused by cravings.

Summer snacks that won’t ruin the bikini diet

Snack A Jacks, the irresistible crispy rice snack, has added two new delicious flavours to its range – both are scrumptiously satisfying and won’t ruin your good intentions when a snack craving takes hold. Tasty Sweet Chilli and fruity Berry Snack A Jacks provide a bold taste experience to really give something to smile about this summer.

Overweight Britons suffer abuse

LighterLife, the UK weight loss specialist, has conducted a survey of 1000 adults that reveals the full scale of abuse suffered by overweight or obese Britons.

Bloated bellies leave UK women feeling deflated

Most women would opt for a double chin, fat thighs or a muffin top rather than a bloated belly, according to a new survey out today to coincide with World Digestive Health Day.

Avocados - Deliciously healthy, deliciously versatile

This creamy and nutty flavoured fruit is one of the healthiest foods you can eat this summer – it is also one of the most versatile.

So your kid’s going veggie

If your child is thinking of joining the 1.5m people who’ve gone vegetarian in the UK over the last decade, you might be a little worried. As a new survey shows, more than half of parents think a veggie diet could spell nutritional problems for kids.

High fruit diet reduces cancer risk

A diet high in fruit and vegetables can significantly reduce the risk of some cancers by as much as a third according to figures from the World Cancer Research Fund.

Brits eat their way through the recession

Research in this week’s national press reports that stressed out Brits are piling on the pounds trying to comfort eat their way through the recession. The survey of 3,000 Britons showed the nation has gained a staggering 20 million stone over the last 12 months.

Cook your way to a health heart

You Can Cook, a Scottish Community Interest Company, is to provide a unique cookery class for recovering heart patients in a purpose-built site at Astley Ainslie Hospital in Edinburgh. The class, taking place later this month, will identify the link between a healthy diet and a healthy heart. Heart patients will be shown that by choosing certain foods, including foods that are low in saturated fats and cholesterol, their health and overall prognosis can significantly improve.

The lunchbox way to five a day

Just as we think we're getting to grips with healthy eating, another report is published revealing just how far away we are as a nation from eating enough fruit and veg. And it's an even bigger blow to discover that some children's diets are far from as healthy as they should be too.

Try a little tenderness

Tenderstem broccoli has a mild, distinctive flavour and a texture which is more akin to asparagus than traditional broccoli and it’s deliciously succulent. As the name suggests, Tenderstem is tender from floret to stem so you can eat the whole vegetable, unlike ordinary broccoli which tends to have a thicker, and sometimes woody, stem.

Beauty water promises to banish winter skin blues

As the temperature plummets and we approach the winter months, it becomes more and more important to keep the skin hydrated and nourished. However, as the harsh, freezing winds set in its good to know that there’s a product on hand that can help to combat those winter skin blues.

Europe welcomes first Macrobiotics Wellness Clinic

Opening on 17th October 2008, SHA Wellness Clinic is devoted to improving and prolonging wellbeing and will be the first wellness clinic in Europe to offer the macrobiotic system of diet, developed by Michio Kushi, the internationally recognised father of modern macrobiotics.

Mulberries hailed as new superfruit

All hail the new superfruit sensation to reach these shores and stand out from the crowd with the highest levels of antioxidants of any red berry fruits. The mulberry, which resembles a raspberry, boasts an impressive nutritional CV outperforming cranberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries.

A new diet for 2009

Leading fitness expert Simon Lovell has developed a simple, credit-crunch defying plan that focuses on what you eat between your normal breakfast and normal dinner. Simply fill a lunch box with a delicious combination of vegetables, lean meat and fish and ‘graze’ throughout the day. You’ll feel fresh, vibrant, slimmer and full of energy in as little as 7 days.

Slim into your LBD for Christmas

With the credit crunch in full swing, recycling last year’s little black dress is a must this party season! However, after a year of snacking this may be a bit of a squeeze. Here to help you slip back into that LBD is straight-talking lifestyle guru and author, Steve Miller, with his tips on how to motivate yourself to slim down in time for the festive season.

The Atkins diet is back

Atkins, one of the world’s leading weight control brands, is back, bigger and better than ever before with the introduction of the new improved diet, ‘Atkins Nutritional Approach’, and the new reformulated bars. Dieting on the go can be difficult, but with the Atkins bars it couldn’t be easier.

Take the hard work out of your diet

The Pure Package, the gourmet food delivery service taking London by storm has teamed up with the most prestigious personal trainers in London-TJF Personal Training to provide a free personal training session and assessment for the first 100 people to sign up to The Pure Package in November.

Take care before starting that New Year diet

Need an excuse to rethink the New Year diet? How about hair loss? The start of every New Year prompts thousands of people to cut back in a bid to lose weight as they aim to turn over a new leaf. However, a recent survey* showed that many of these do so without considering the importance of vital vitamins and minerals, with 71% of women and 80% of men admitting they didn’t take a nutritional supplement while on a diet. Some diets even warn participants that hair loss may be a consequence.

Have an energy fuelled 2009

The short days and long dark nights of January and February can leave even the hardiest of us feeling down in the dumps and New Year’s resolutions, of getting to the gym and socializing more, can quickly fall by the way side. Make 2009 different and have a happy energy packed start to the year with a few simple changes to your diet.

Beat the Christmas calories with fibre-rich foods

As Christmas approaches and the non-stop party season begins, it's traditionally a time when the nation reaches for more indulgent foods higher in sugar and fat - inevitably leading to the pounds piling on. But, just increasing the amount of fibre in your diet can really help towards keeping you feeling fuller for longer, cutting cravings for sneaky indulgent snacks and ensuring you have enough get up and go to see you through to the New Year.

Detox in a box

Celebrities across the globe swear by them and Jennifer Lopez recently announced she lost her baby weight through a diet delivery service. Detox in a Box delivers a chilled hamper full of satisfying and delicious meals for a whole week, direct to clients’ doors.

Superhero goes online to combat childhood obesity

“Fruitness enjoy it” is a three-year campaign for the promotion of healthier eating habits, which aims to educate children and raise awareness about fruit and the role it plays in preventing child obesity. Refreshed and renewed in look and content, the Mr.Fruitness website – featuring the superhero in green tights – offers its junior friends a fun online fruit-quiz about the role that fruit plays in nutrition.

14 is the happiest number for women

Size 14 women are the happiest with their life and looks, a new study has revealed. Girls who wear a size 14 dress size rated their general happiness higher than any other, with a quarter saying they were extremely happy. More than 43 per cent of size 14 women said they were as happy as they could be with their career, while almost a third said they couldn’t be more content with their love life.

Enjoy a Rude Valentine's Day

If you want to enjoy an orgasmic breakfast-in-bed this Valentine’s Day, why not serve up a healthy portion of Rude Health’s organic porridge or muesli? A bowl of 'Morning Glory' porridge, with creamy British organic oats, widely reputed to enhance libido by re-balancing oestrogen and testosterone levels, will help to keep your stamina up all morning thanks to their low GI score and iron content.

Weight loss made easier

Every January millions of people in the UK make a New Year's resolution to lose weight. Seventy five per cent of adults make weight loss their number one aim, but most have given up by the end of the month.

Diet company cracks the code for tomato soup

A food company is claiming it has finally found the winning formula for the comfort food favourite that offers more taste and less waist - tomato soup. For years food technologists in the weight-loss industry have grappled with the problem of creating a low calorie tomato soup that actually tastes of tomato.

Combat winter ailments with a kiwifruit a day

The most widespread variety of kiwifruit is about to line up alongside Mr Fruitness in the third instalment of the “Fruitness enjoy it!”* campaign, thus becoming the latest trusted ally to join the fight against childhood obesity.

Healthy snacking, anytime, anywhere

For a delicious, creamy and healthy breakfast or snack, enjoy Quaker’s new ready-to-eat porridge in a pot – Quaker Simply Oats & Fruit. These versatile pots are made with Quaker’s natural oats and real fruit compote, making them the perfect porridge choice for those on the go. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day because it provides the body and brain with the fuel and nutrients it needs after a night’s sleep.

Credit crunch increases fish & chip sales

New statistics have shown that despite the credit crunch, fish and chip sales have increased for the first time in five years*. The number of people going to fast-food restaurants rose by 3.2 per cent in the first quarter of 2008 as more people chose to save money and spend the evening at home with a takeaway.

Restaurant industry to show calories on menus

Eighteen major catering companies, including many high street brands, will introduce calorie information on their menus for the first time.

Morning has broken (your healthy diet)

It’s pitched as the most important meal of the day, but with only 8 per cent of cereals getting a green light for healthy sugar levels, many Britons are waking up to poor nutrition, a new report has uncovered.

Low-cost lunches pack nutritional punch

Your lunchtime sandwich could contain as much salt as nine packs of ready salted crisps, but you might not realise because it doesn’t have to carry a nutritional label, says consumer champion Which?

New study reveals hidden benefits of home cooking

On average we cover an impressive 78 miles in the kitchen annually - just from preparing and cooking our meals, according to the findings of a new study released this week by New World home appliances. That’s the equivalent of three marathons every year.

Diet tips from down-under

Bodytrim - Australia’s top weight loss programme - has recently been launched in the UK. Bodytrim promises to give its users a complete lifestyle change by teaching them about the relationship between food and their bodies.