Nutrition

The humble egg has been a staple of our diet for thousands of years. And, as British Egg Week gets cracking this week, it’s the perfect time to indulge in this versatile and nutritious food. From sandwiches to soufflés, quiches to cakes, for breakfast, lunch and dinner – eggs are the essential ingredient in countless dishes. Although hens eggs are the staple, you'll also find quail eggs on the supermarket shelf (great for canapés) as well as large duck eggs with their rich tasting, deep orange yolk. For something really extraordinary – you might be lucky enough to come across an ostrich egg. It weighs a massive 2kg, is the equivalent of 24 hen eggs, and takes two hours to hard-boil!

It's World Heart Day this week and the ideal time to double check that we’re looking after our hearts. Keeping active is one of the most fun parts of it. But the good news is, your diet can also really benefit your heart – even if you already have a heart condition. Thankfully it’s not too complicated. All you have to do is aim for a balanced diet, naturally packed full of nutrient-rich ingredients. So when choosing your ready meals make sure they often include:  - plenty of fruit and vegetables - plenty of starchy foods - low fat milk and dairy - some meat and fish, or eggs, beans and other non-dairy protein sources - lower fat, salt and sugar values

If you reckon a meal’s not a proper meal without some kind of meat in it, you’re not alone. But with vegetables playing such a crucial role in a nutritious, balanced diet, it’s often a good idea to make a few days a week meat-free – and seeing how that makes you feel. As we get older, our energy levels and appetite tend to change. So if you’re not eating as much as before, what you do eat needs to be rich in vitamins, minerals, fibre and ‘good’ fats. A diet based mainly on starchy foods such as potatoes, whole-grain bread, rice and pasta, along with plenty of fruit, vegetables and nuts, ticks all the healthy boxes and provides your essential ‘five-a-day’. And whether they’re raw, cooked, sliced, diced, stewed, mashed or puréed – enjoying vegetarian food is easier than you think.

Good digestive health is vital for our overall wellbeing and strengthening our immunity to illness and infections. So understanding what foods and drinks help or hinder our digestion can make you feel better in lots of ways. Fibre A diet rich in fibre or ‘roughage’ helps prevent constipation and lowers the risk of chronic diseases. For a healthy bowel, aim to eat 30g of fibre a day from a variety of foods such as: wholemeal bread, cereal, brown rice, fruit, vegetables, beans and oats. Take a look at our Tuscan Bean Casserole or Chilli Con Carne & Rice – for satisfying suppers, packed with fibre.

It’s a fact of life for many of us: as we get older, our glasses become our new best friend. And, while a healthy diet can do little to change this, it can protect against more serious eye conditions that can result from health problems such as diabetes and strokes – which are closely tied to what we eat. A balanced diet containing all the food groups – carbohydrates, fruit and vegetables, dairy, meat and fish – should give you all the nutrients you need to stay healthy. In our other blog posts, we’ve looked at how different foods benefit our brain, bones and heart – but how can they help our eyes?

With temperatures set to soar this week, we’re picturing sparkling blue seas, olive groves and a table set with delicious Mediterranean food. Renowned as one of the healthiest diets in the world, there couldn’t be a better time to give it a try. From juicy, sun ripened tomatoes and salad drizzled in olive oil to succulent seafood, traditional dishes enjoyed in southern France, Spain, Italy and Greece are full of the nutrients needed for healthy ageing. In fact, people who follow a Mediterranean diet tend to have a lower risk of developing age-related health problems including heart disease, stroke, diabetes and even Alzheimer’s. We take a look at the common ingredients in Mediterranean meals and some simple ways to include them in your day-to-day diet.

As we get older, our bones become weaker and if we fall we’re more likely to hurt ourselves. For Falls Awareness Week, we look at some simple tips for taking care of your bones and staying steady on your feet. Falling over is one of the biggest risks to independent living for older people. Because bones become more brittle as we age, it can lead to breaks or injuries that can really affect your quality of life, and knock your confidence about doing things on your own.  

As the weather gets warmer, we take a look at some refreshing, flavour-packed smoothies to help you keep cool.  If you find getting your 5 a day can sometimes be a chore, try drinking, rather than eating them. Digging out the blender and making a juice or smoothie is a simple, tasty way to pack loads of fruit (and even vegetables) into your daily diet. And because smoothies are thicker than other liquids, they’re also a great refreshment option for people with difficulties swallowing.

Spicy food can be just the thing in the warmer weather but there’s another great reason to try something new and exotic. From soothing joint pain to easing indigestion, we look at the surprising health benefits thought to be behind some of our favourite spices. They are the secret behind some of our most popular ready meals, from curries and Mediterranean classics to warming desserts. But far from simply adding mouth-watering flavours, these small yet powerful seasonings are believed to be good for us, too.

From loss of appetite to limited mobility, old age can bring physical challenges that make it difficult to enjoy a healthy, balanced diet. Here we look at essential nutrients that can help combat age-related illnesses, and guidance about including them in day-to-day meals. A vital part of nutritional management for older people is including the right vitamins and minerals in their diet. These are found in a whole range of ingredients, from meat and fish to fruit, green vegetables and cereals.