Archives for 2009

8 Fitness Christmas Present Ideas

Now that Christmas is just around the corner you would hope to have all your presents bought, wrapped and placed under the tree. However, every year it always seems that there are a few people who you just cannot find the right gift for. So this year why not tackle the problem by introducing them to the world of fitness with one of the eight Christmas present ideas listed below. 1) FOOTBALL:- Christmas is traditionally a time where exercise takes a back seat. So why not mix it up this year by getting someone a football? Not only is it a perfect present for most boys but it can also be … [Read more...]

3 Healthy Christmas Dinner Desserts

When it comes to festive desserts mince pies and Christmas pudding are almost always on the menu. Whilst both are tasty, traditional treats they are also high in calories and refined sugar plus they often contain dangerous trans fats. So this year why not try and add some healthy options to your Christmas dessert menu by using the three suggestions I have provided below? 1) FRUIT SALAD:- Fruit salad is a simple, healthy dessert choice. All you need is a selection of your favourite fresh fruit and some fruit juice. Once you have your ingredients chop the fruit, put it in a large bowl and … [Read more...]

5 Christmas Party Survival Tips

Over the festive period parties are as much of a certainty as mince pies and Christmas trees. Everyone likes to let their hair down and party after a long, hard year. However, too much partying can have negative implications on your fitness goals. It can leave you feeling tired and run down which consequently means that exercise and healthy eating take a back seat. That is why today I am going to provide you with five Christmas party survival tips. 1) MODERATE YOUR ALCOHOL INTAKE:- This may be one of the biggest clichés in Christmas party articles. However, my advice is slightly … [Read more...]

8 Healthy Christmas Dinner Ideas

Christmas dinner is normally filled with tasty treats. Roast potatoes, stuffing and thick gravy are all regular fixtures in this festive meal. Whilst these are delicious foods they are often rich in calories and low in nutrients. That is why today I am providing you with eight healthy Christmas dinner ideas. 1) BEEF:- When it comes to the Christmas roast, turkey is by far the most popular choice. However, if you fancy something a little different this year I highly recommend a nice succulent joint of beef. In recent years people have avoided red meats because of their relatively high … [Read more...]

4 Healthy Christmas Dinner Starters

When it comes to Christmas dinner healthy eating is usually the last thing on people's mind. However, with a little thought and preparation you can start the meal in a healthy way whilst still enjoying the foods you eat. That is why today I am giving you a list of four healthy Christmas dinner starters. 1) HOMEMADE SOUP:- Soup is a popular starter to many meals and Christmas dinner is no exception. However, the problem is most people go for canned soup which often contain high levels of sodium and are full of chemicals. Fortunately, this problem can be solved by making your own … [Read more...]

20 Health Benefits Of Dietary Fat

In my last few articles I have been focussing on dietary fats. Until recently dietary fats were seen as the macronutrient to avoid. They have been associated with heart disease, obesity and many other negative health conditions. However, this common perception of dietary fats could not be further from the truth. With the exception of trans fats, dietary fats support your body in performing many vital functions, offer protection for your cells and promote optimal health. In this article I want to expand on this topic further and provide you with a comprehensive list of the many benefits of … [Read more...]

The Key To Keeping Your Joints Healthy

Hey everyone. Today I have a guest post for you from Scott Wood. Scott works with Natures Best - a supplement company with a difference. Not only are they UK based but they stick to GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) standards which means you can be sure you are purchasing a quality product. ----- As you grow older you may start to feel the effects of day to day exercise on your joints. Whether it is your runner’s knees or creaky tennis elbow, all can cause discomfort, especially if untreated. Without proper care these problems could snowball into conditions such as osteoarthritis and … [Read more...]

What Are Trans Fats?

In my recent articles I have been discussing dietary fats. So far I have covered the three naturally occurring types of fat which are saturated fat, monounsaturated fat and polyunsaturated fat. Today I am going to cover the fourth and final type of fat – the man made trans fat. WHAT ARE TRANS FATS? All fats are made from a combination of carbon and hydrogen atoms. The two main types are saturated fats and unsaturated fats (which can be broken down further into monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats). With saturated fats all the carbon atoms are bonded to (or 'saturated' with) … [Read more...]

What Is Polyunsaturated Fat?

Recently I have been taking an in-depth look at dietary fats. So far I have covered saturated fats and monounsaturated fats. Today I am going to be looking at polyunsaturated fats in greater detail. WHAT IS POLYUNSATURATED FAT? Fats are all made from a chain of carbon and hydrogen atoms. With saturated fats all the carbon atoms are bonded to hydrogen atoms. With unsaturated fats there are one or more double bonds between the carbon atoms which prevent them from being fully bonded to hydrogen atoms. So in other words saturated fats are 'saturated' with hydrogen atoms whilst unsaturated … [Read more...]