A Healthy Diet

Whether you’re seriously ill or fit as a fiddle, it’s vital to eat well. After studying the most recent research, I’ve compiled my top tips for a healthy diet.

Don’t worry if you can’t face them all at once - if you follow them in steps, you’ll soon be maximising your body’s ability to function efficiently, ward off disease and heal itself.

1.Drink plenty of water. You’ve heard it before: we’re composed of 80% water! While being the main component of blood and other body fluids, water plays a vital role in maintaining body temperature and flushing out toxins. Aim for 2 litres a day.

2.Eat plenty of fruit and veg. They’re high in fibre, provide essential minerals and vitamins, and contain powerful antioxidants like carotenes and flavonoids, which provide some protection against cancer and heart disease.

3.Buy organic. There are over 400 different pesticides and fertilisers used in crop-farming, many of which have been linked to cancer. Organic produce is grown without any harmful chemicals, so is much safer.

4.Consume fish. As well as providing nucleic acids needed for our cells, fish naturally provide oils that neutralise harmful free radicals in the body. Fish oils also contain omega 3, a long chain molecule that reduces the risk of cancer.

5.Cut down on dairy. Remember when we were told to ‘Drink a pint of milk a day’? Research now shows that cows’ milk (while extremely good for baby cows!) can be harmful to humans because it’s high in arterial-clogging fats and hinders absorption of vitamin C. ‘But what about calcium’, I hear you say! Don’t worry, we can get it from the same place that cows get it – leafy green plants - for cows that means grass, for us that means vegetables!

6.Cut down on sugar and saturated fats. Sugar can devastate health because it imbalances levels of minerals, disrupts the functioning of glands and suppresses the immune system. Equally destructive are saturated fats and oils in junk, processed and fast foods.