6 tips for being more productive at work
Diet can play a huge impact on your energy levels, your cognitive function and your overall productivity at work. Poor nutrition and dietary habits can impact your mood, lead to high levels of stress and depression, irritability, reduced concentration, fatigue and lower energy levels. There are a variety of workplace health initiatives that could be implemented to make a positive impact on staff productivity and well-being. For example: tailored healthy eating workshops rev
The politics of our food system
Each year the UN Food and Agriculture Organization celebrates World Food Day on the 16th October to commemorate the founding of the Organization in 1945. Events are organised in over 150 countries across the world to help promote awareness and action for those suffering from hunger and for the need to ensure food security and nutritious diets for all. In Edinburgh, a panel discussion on the politics of our food system was held at The University of Edinburgh’s Business School
Looking after your liver
Until recently, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was considered to be quite rare and harmless. For most people, a fatty liver can remain free of inflammation and asymptomatic. However, there seems to be an increasing number of people with NAFLD due to the rising obesity figures. Individuals who have had a fatty liver for some time, are more likely to develop inflammation causing scarring (or fibrosis). In these people this can progress to potentially life-threaten
Are you a man aged 45 to 64 who enjoys an occasional drink?
I recently attended a meeting in London where I learnt more about the evidence-based campaign ‘Have a little less, feel a lot better’ which is aimed at helping men aged between 45 and 64 years make better choices about their drinking. Recent data monitoring has identified this segment of the population as ‘risky career drinkers’. Characteristics of this group include: being male, aged over 45, educated to degree level, married or living with a partner, and an annual househo
The importance of nutrition expertise in food and drink innovation
Make Innovation Happen is a new service that is available to help businesses innovate or develop new products. The Scottish food and drink industry is currently thriving and it is well known that for businesses to grow and be successful, innovation is key. At the Make Innovation Happen event last week in Edinburgh, there were a variety of very insightful and thought-provoking presentations on food and drink innovation and trends. From a personal perspective, food innovation
Healthy eating for older adults – the importance of protein
Many nutritional requirements do not differ between younger and older adults. However energy requirements tend to be slightly lower due to older adults being less active and due to changes in body composition. As a result, older adults need to obtain more nutrients from fewer calories – in other words, a nutrient dense diet. Healthy eating guidance for older adults is similar to that for younger adults. The Eatwell Guide (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-eatwe
Key nutrients for a healthy vegan diet
A vegan diet includes only plant foods. In other words, no meat, fish, eggs, dairy or honey. A healthy vegan diet is made up of plenty fruit and vegetables, basing meals around wholegrain starchy foods, consuming some beans, pulses, and other plant-based proteins and including some dairy alternatives foods each day. Vegan diets have been associated with various health benefits such as reducing obesity, helping to maintain a healthy heart, improving blood sugar control and re
Kefir – the ‘feel good’ drink
What is it? Kefir is a fermented milk drink that seems to be gaining popularity in the UK due to its high probiotic content and beneficial effect on gut health and digestion. The drink originated from parts of Eastern Europe and Southwest Asia with the name coming from the Turkish word Keyif, which means ‘feeling good’ after eating (Lopitz-Otsoa et al, 2006). How’s it made? Kefir is most commonly made with pasteurised whole, semi-skimmed or skimmed cow’s milk, although goats,
Food labels and food waste - Do you know your ‘Use by’ from your ‘Best before’ dates?
At household level, it’s estimated that up to a third of food waste is linked to date labelling on food products. A European survey conducted in 2015 of 26,601 participants found that half (49%) of European consumers think that better and clearer information on the meaning of ‘Best before’ and ‘Use by’ dates would help them waste less food at home (European Commission, 2015). There is a legal requirement that most foods require either a ‘Use by’ date (where there’s a food s
Diet and nutrition to help combat stress
Stress accounted for almost 1 in 4 work-related ill health cases (37%) in 2015/16 (HSE, 2016). With 11.7 million working days lost (HSE, 2016) and one in five people who feel ‘very’ or ‘extremely’ stressed by their work, it’s an important issue for employers to address (British Heart Foundation, 2013). Everyone feels stressed from time to time and a moderate level of stress, in the short term, can be positive. It can help us perform better when we go for a job interview or w