Blog - Page 94 of 729

Healthy dinners – 5 easy recipes from a tin

Posted on July 15, 2020 | by Healthista

Stockpiled on a load of tinned food during lockdown and now you’re left with loads of tinned food but run out of ideas? Here are five quick healthy dinners from Tin Can Magic

It’s fair to say that that virus which shall not be named has truly taken over our lives.

What’s worse is that many of us fell into a hysterical panic, hoarding food products left, right and centre from pasta, flour, toilet roll (bizarre one) as well as tinned foods.

So what can you make with tinned foods? Well, it’s time to experiment.

Tin Can Magic, by Jessica Elliott Dennison has conveniently created a cookbook dedicated to the mighty power of our beloved tinned food. She has unleashed her magic to create the latest delicious recipes to keep you ready and more prepared than ever to fight this apocalypse (I mean pandemic).

Here’s some of our favourite recipes for some delicious healthy dinners using the nations much loved canned tomatoes, lentils and coconut milk.

Aprons at the ready.

Using tinned lentils

Healthy dinners recipe #1 Garlic Mushroom Lentils and Fried Eggs with Parmesan and Rosemary

The key to frying mushrooms is allowing your pan to get smoking hot so that they catch at the edges and take on an almost meaty, charred flavour.

Keep an eye out for more unusual wild varieties to mix in with more common button and chestnut mushrooms – they’re increasingly available and offer a deeper flavour and more interesting textures.

Serves 2

Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

– 4 tablespoons rapeseed (canola), vegetable or light olive oil

– 3 garlic cloves, peeled and finely sliced

– 200 g (7 oz) mushrooms, dirt brushed off, roughly torn (ideally a mix of wild, chestnut and button)

– 2 sprigs of rosemary, leaves only, roughly chopped

– 1 x 390 g (13 3/4 oz) tin of green lentils in water, drained and rinsed

– 1/2 lemon, zest and juice

– 1 teaspoon salt

– 100 g (3 1/2 oz) spinach, washed and drained

– 2 eggs

– 4 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan

Substitutes

–Rosemary – sage, tarragon, thyme

–Green lentils – cooked puy lentils, cooked pearl barley, cooked spelt, cooked brown rice

–Parmesan – pecorino, feta, goat’s cheese, mature Cheddar, halloumi

–Walnuts – almonds, hazelnuts, pecans

Method:

First, heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large non-stick frying pan (skillet) over a medium heat. Add the garlic and, stirring regularly, fry for 1–2 minutes until golden and fragrant. Take care not to burn the garlic or it will become overly bitter. Transfer the garlic to a small bowl and set aside.
Next, increase the heat to high and add 1 tablespoon more oil. Add the mushrooms and cook for 4 minutes, or until browning and catching at the edges. Stir in the rosemary, fry for 1–2 minutes until crisp and fragrant. Stir in the lentils, lemon juice, salt and spinach until wilted. Add a few splashes of water if the pan contents look a bit dry.
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in another non-stick frying pan over a high heat. Crack in the eggs and fry for 1–2 minutes until crisp on the base but still with a runny yolk, or to your liking.
Divide the mushroomy-lentils between two plates. Top with a fried egg and the reserved crispy garlic. Sprinkle over the Parmesan and the zest of the remaining lemon half.

Using tinned tomatoes

Healthy dinners recipe #2 Tomato butter sugo with fettucine and feta

Serves 2

Time: 45 mins

Ingredients:

–3 tablespoons rapeseed (canola), vegetable or light olive oil

–3 garlic cloves, peeled and finely sliced

–1 x 400 g (14 oz) tin of chopped tomatoes

–1/4 teaspoon chilli (hot pepper) flakes

–1/2 onion, peeled (not chopped)

–50 g (2 oz) butter (salted or unsalted)

–1 teaspoon sea salt flakes, plus extra to taste pinch of sugar (optional)

–150 g (5 oz) dried fettuccine

–50 g (2 oz) feta

Substitutes

–Onion – half a leek, banana shallot, red onion

–Fettuccine – whichever pasta you have to hand

–Feta – salted ricotta, Parmesan, halloumi, pecorino

–Chopped tomatoes – passata (sieved tomatoes), peeled fresh in-season tomatoes

Method:

First, heat the oil and garlic in a medium saucepan over a medium heat for 1–2 minutes until fragrant and beginning to golden (take care not to burn the garlic). Add the tomatoes, chilli flakes, onion half, butter and salt.
Bring to a simmer, then reduce over a low heat for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Splash in some water if it’s sticking or reducing too much. Remove and discard the onion, then taste the sugo for seasoning. You may want to add a pinch of sugar, depending on the acidity of the tomatoes.
After 15 minutes of the sugo simmering, bring a large saucepan of water up to the boil and cook the fettucine until al dente (around 9–10 minutes – check packet instructions for exact timing), reserving a mugful of the starchy cooking water.
Using tongs, transfer the fettuccine into the tomato sauce, stirring in spoonfuls of the reserved cooking water until coated in the sauce. Taste again for seasoning (bear in mind the feta will add saltiness).
Divide the pasta between two plates, then finely grate over the feta to finish.

Feast tip: Roasted or charred little gem lettuce (bibb lettuce) topped with finely grated (shredded) Parmesan and a squeeze of lemon makes a beautiful side dish to this fettucine (see page 69). Throw in some nice olives, a plate of burrata drizzled with the salsa verde from page 93 plus a good bottle of red and you’ve got a full-on Italian-style feast.

Healthy dinners recipe #3 Spiced lamb and tomato flatbreads with mint and cucumber yoghurt

These are a midweek staple in our house, as I tend to always have some sort of mince stashed away in the freezer. They’re inspired by the amazing Turkish eateries I used to go to after work in the Green Lanes area of North London; often family-run restaurants who greet you with plates of warm flatbread, hummus, tzatziki and roughly chopped salad before you’ve even thought about what you’ll order for main.

Here I’ve used lamb, but of course use minced beef, chicken or pork if that’s what is to hand.

Serves 2

Time: 25 mins

Ingredients:

–2 teaspoons cumin seeds

–1 teaspoon fennel seeds (optional)

–1 tablespoon rapeseed (canola), vegetable or light olive oil

–250 g (9 oz) minced (ground) lamb

–1 teaspoon sea salt flakes

–1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

–1/2 teaspoon chilli (hot pepper) flakes

–1 x 400 g (14 oz) tin of chopped tomatoes

–2 khobez or pitta flatbreads

For the Mint and Cucumber yoghurt:

–1/2 cucumber, deseeded and finely diced

–1 teaspoon dried mint leaves

–1 teaspoon sea salt flakes

–1 small garlic clove, peeled and minced

–5 heaped tablespoons strained yoghurt (ideally full-fat)

To Serve:

–Handful of mint leaves

–1 teaspoon sumac

–1 lemon

Substitutes

–Minced lamb – minced (ground) beef, chicken or pork

–Cucumber – spring onions (scallions)

–Chilli flakes – cayenne pepper, paprika

Method:

First, add the cumin seeds (and fennel seeds if using) to a large non-stick frying pan (skillet) over a high heat then dry-fry for 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Transfer to a pestle and mortar or cutting board to roughly crush.
Return the pan to a high heat, then add the oil and the lamb; fry for 3–4 minutes until crispy and gaining some nice dark colour. Stir in the crushed spices, salt, cinnamon and chilli flakes until fragrant. Pour in the tomatoes, then simmer on high for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until reduced and sticky.
To make the yoghurt mixture, stir together the cucumber, mint, salt, garlic and yoghurt. Warm the flatbreads in a toaster – or carefully using tongs directly over the gas flame for 20 seconds each side until slightly charred.
Spoon the mince over a flatbread then add a dollop of the yoghurt. Tear over the mint, a pinch of the sumac, then zest over the lemon to finish.

Healthy dinners recipe #4 Chilled chilli tomato noodles with crispy garlic and sesame

These simple noodles are inspired by afternoons cooking Japanese dishes with food stylist Aya Nishimura. Along with lots of other delicious things, Aya introduced me to the magic of crispy garlic on cold noodles, so I am forever grateful!

If you can, try and get hold of thin soba or wholewheat noodles for this dish, as they’re better suited to the delicate, fresh flavours. Chunky egg noodles overpower the miso-tomato sauce slightly, but if that’s all you’ve got, don’t worry! You’ll still have a delicious meal in front of you.

Serves 2

Time: 25 mins

Ingredients:

–3 tablespoons rapeseed (canola), vegetable or light olive oil

–5 garlic cloves, peeled and finely sliced

–1 x 400 g (14 oz) tin of chopped tomatoes

–3 teaspoons miso paste

–1 tablespoon cider vinegar

–½–1 teaspoon chilli (hot pepper) flakes (depending on how spicy you like things)

–4 teaspoons sesame oil

–150 g (7 oz) thin wholewheat noodles

–2 spring onions (scallions), finely shredded

–1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

Substitutes

–Cider vinegar – any type of vinegar

–Wholewheat noodles – soba, ramen-style or buckwheat noodles

Method:

First, heat the oil in a frying pan (skillet) on medium, add the garlic and fry for 2-3 minutes until golden (take care not to burn the garlic or it will become overly bitter). Using a slotted spoon, remove the garlic from the pan and transfer to a plate, leaving most of the oil in the pan.
Next, pour in the tomatoes, miso, vinegar, chilli flakes and sesame oil. Increase the heat to high and simmer for 8-10 minutes until the sauce reduces to a thick concentrate. Using a fish slice or potato masher, mash down to a rough pulp.
Meanwhile, fill a medium saucepan with water then bring to the boil. Add the noodles then cook until al-dente (around 3-4 minutes- check packet instructions for exact timings). Drain, then rinse under plenty of cold water to chill.
Once the tomato has reduced, taste for seasoning. You want a nice balance of spicy umami from the miso and slightly acidic from the vinegar. Adjust to taste.
Stir the chilled noodles and tomato sauce in a mixing bowl. Divide between two plates then top with the crispy garlic, spring onions and sesame seeds.

Cook’s tips: For added meatiness, try frying good-quality bacon lardons until crisp then sprinkle over the noodles.

Using tinned coconut milk

Healthy dinners recipe #5 Squash and fenugreek curry with ginger and spinach

This recipe will always remind me of Karolina; one of my brilliant founding team members at 27 Elliott’s whose face will instantly light up at even the smallest mention of a squash or pumpkin.

Here I’ve used the spices I tend to have at the back of my cupboard, but I’m sure any Indian-style spices you have to hand will work equally well. Just to keep Karolina happy, this recipe is completely plant-based, making it a good one to have up your sleeve for times when vegan friends come over.

Serves 2 very generously (or 4 if eating with naan bread)

Time: 45 mins

Ingredients:

–1 small squash (ideally coquina or butternut)

–3 tablespoons rapeseed (canola), vegetable or light olive oil

–1 teaspoon salt, plus extra to taste

–2 onions, peeled and finely sliced

–4 garlic cloves, peeled and roughly crushed

–thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger root, roughly grated (shredded) on the large side of a box grater

–1 x 400 ml (14 fl oz) tin of coconut milk (ideally full-fat)

–2 teaspoons ground turmeric

–2 teaspoons ground cumin

–1½ teaspoons chilli (hot pepper) flakes

–1 teaspoon ground fenugreek

–grated zest of 1 lemon

–1 teaspoon lemon juice

–100 g (3½ oz) spinach, washed and drained

–4 small naan breads

Substitutes

–Squash – cauliflower, (bell) peppers, broccoli

–Spinach – chard, kale, shredded savoy cabbage

–Ground fenugreek – garam masala, crushed fenugreek seeds

Method:

First, preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F/Gas 5). Roughly chop the squash into large chunks (using a spoon, discard any pips, but don’t bother peeling), transfer to a roasting tin then toss in 1 tablespoon of oil and ½ teaspoon of salt. Roast for 25 minutes, tossing halfway through.
Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large, non-stick pan over a medium heat. Add the onion and fry for 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and ginger, then fry for another 8 minutes until fragrant. Reduce the heat if the garlic looks as though it’s going to burn.
Spoon 3 tablespoons of the white, firm coconut cream at the top of the tin into the onion, then stir in the turmeric, cumin, chilli flakes and fenugreek for 30–60 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the remaining coconut milk from the tin, ½ teaspoon of salt, half the lemon zest and the lemon juice.
Next, transfer the roasted pumpkin to the sauce, stir in the spinach until wilted then taste for seasoning. You may want to add more salt. Carefully using tongs, char the naan bread on a gas flame for a few seconds until warm and slightly charred (or warm in the oven).
Divide the curry and naan breads between plates, then zest over the remaining lemon.

Cook’s tips: If you’ve got any flaked coconut or almond flakes, gently toast in a dry frying pan (skillet) for 2–3 minutes then sprinkle over before eating.

For more quick, simple mouthwatering recipes straight from the tin, why not purchase a copy of Tin Can Magic by Jessica Elliott Dennison here.

Relevant Healthista Content:

5 easy vegan dinner recipes ready in 30 minutes or less

8 healthy recipes for glowing skin

Healthista Content You May Also Like:

Can’t lose belly fat? This trainer says your hormones could be to blame

How to find love – the therapist’s guide

Got insomnia? This 5 minute meditation for sleep will help

The beauty diet – 5 ways to eat for acne

Is this new supplement the closest thing we have to a wonder pill?

Posted on July 14, 2020 | by Anna Magee

There’s a new supplement in town. Said to increase energy levels, generate metabolism and improve skin Anna Magee explores exactly how it works and tries it herself

Remember Limitless? Bradley Cooper played Eddie Morra, whose writer’s block led him into the arms of NZT, a pharmaceutical that allowed him to tap his full potential, making him a genius at everything virtually overnight.

Well, this new pill isn’t that. Not exactly.

However, I have been taking NR (an abbreviation for a substance called nicotinamide riboside) since November last year. While I haven’t learned to use 100 per cent of my brain’s capacities or become a financial wizard as Cooper’s character did, I believe I have supported energy and clear skin.

What is NR?

Nicotinamide riboside chloride or NR is the main ingredient in a supplement (not a medical drug – though it’s made to high standards) that acts as a new form of vitamin B3 whose makers claim it can support the following effects:

Reduction of tiredness and fatigue
Normal energy-yielding metabolism
Maintenance of normal skin
Normal mucous membranes
Normal psychological function

I’ll get to exactly how it can contribute to such a plethora of bodily functions in a moment. But perhaps importantly to note, this isn’t some backyard potion but a supplement with years of scientific research behind it.

In fact, in November last year – and this is key to anyone who worries about the safety of new supplements claiming to be wonder pills in the way I do – the European Commission has authorized NR as a novel food.

This is a benchmark they give new supplements and foods (CBD for example is also a novel food status product) to help ensure suppliers are compliant with safety requirements in the EU. It followed a ‘positive opinion’ given to NR in August last year by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) after looking at its safety profile.

I first heard about NR in September last year at London’s first Health Optimisation Summit at Olympia where some of the most respected pioneers in anti-ageing were speaking.

The particular talk was by Frank Jaksch, a scientist and co-founder of Chromadex, the US company that has produced the NR supplement, called Tru Niagen, and put millions of dollars into research behind it. I was intrigued by the science.

How does NR work in the body?

NR helps the body create NAD+, a substance that is used to support every human function – and found naturally in our bodies and in trace amounts of milk, in a healthy diet.

Short for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, NAD+ is a molecule found in every living cell in our bodies, playing a role in normal energy yielding metabolism.

At its most simplistic, NAD+ is like a power source to a light bulb; it is the wire, the electron transport mechanism of energy to each cell, Jaksch explains.

‘NAD+ is not new, its participation in cellular metabolism has been known for 100 years,’ says Jaksch. ‘It’s the energy source for production of ATP, which is the body’s chief energy system.

‘NAD+ is attached to the body’s repair enzymes that work to keep the body resilient.

‘The amount of NAD+ you have and how the body uses it is always in a state of flux.’ says Jaksch. ‘NAD+ may contribute to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, maintenance of normal skin, and a normal mucous membrane, to name a few.’

Additionally, NAD+ helps to maintain the cells’ energy and vitality; however, it is also linked to the aging process in humans.

NAD+ is essential to every function in the body

In fact, when it comes to ageing, scientists have identified nine of its hallmarks – these include genetic damage and key dysfunctioning in the cells – and show that NAD+ is an essential process in these hallmarks [see below].

So, NAD+ is essential to every function in the body, and supporting NAD+ levels contributes to a normal energy yielding metabolism. It works by facilitating the transfer of energy to our cells from the food we consume in a process known as oxidation.

Under normal conditions, whenever our cells need to conduct some specific functions, they demand energy from the bloodstream which is found in the form of fatty acids and glucose.

NAD+ performs the task of getting these energy sources from the blood to the cells which use it resulting in the maintenance of good health. NAD+ is responsible for performing very important biological processes related to eating, drinking, and sleeping.

NR and the scientific research

Over 170 clinical and preclinical studies have been done on NR at universities across the globe including at the universities of Cambridge and Birmingham, 30 of which are human studies.

Five of the human studies have been published in peer-reviewed journals that found that taking NR as a supplement could generate NAD+ levels found in blood.

The largest of these studies was published last year in the journal Nature Scientific Reports. It was a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that followed 140 healthy overweight adults taking three different daily doses of NR – 100mg, 300mg and 1000mg (although this highest dose isn’t available to humans as a consumer product).

What was also interesting was that no serious adverse events, on this or any other trial of NR were recorded that were attributed to the product.

So, the way NR works is by essentially generating NAD+, the substance our bodies use to feed each and every one of their cellular processes.

I saw in myself the difference it made to my day to day health, but I also know that NAD+ (internally) also supports cellular energy production,

Supporting our cellular health is something we can all start doing today, and NR is a highly effective product to contribute to a normal physiological function.

More information: truniagen.co.uk

Relevant Healthista Content:

50 supplements these health experts take themselves

How to be charismatic – 7 steps to becoming your most confident self

Healthista Content you may also like:

10 CBD oil questions answered

My boyfriend doesn’t satisfy me sexually – therapy

Looking for a way to reduce stress? Try this one minute breathing technique

7 surprising hacks for a good night’s sleep

Could CBD help you drink less alcohol?

Posted on June 14, 2020 | by Anna Magee

We’re drinking more alcohol than ever, despite social restrictions. But the new soberista crowd are now looking to CBD to take the edge off their nerves with no hangovers

In a surprise to precisely no one, Brits are drinking more in lock down. Pubs and bars may be closed across the country, but that hasn’t stopped us. As the coronavirus crisis swept us into a frenzy, alcohol sales in supermarkets have soared by £160m with liqueurs and cocktail ingredients leading the way as people start to symbolise the end of the day with a drink or fill their evenings creating ever more elaborate and aptly named “quarantinis”.

Swapping drinking from the bar to home is not an issue, but we are swimming in this sea of sameness. With time no longer linear, we now find ourselves drinking earlier more regularly as weekends are barely distinguishable from weekdays now.

Unless you’ve developed a serious addiction for macramé, all that extra time you would have otherwise spent meeting friends or at the gym is now empty space, and it’s tempting to top that emptiness up with a drink or two. A tipsy haze is fantastic at blurring the edges of even the scariest situations and making the that fifth family zoom call of the day seem much more fun.

Some might say that with the unseasonably warm weather over the past few weeks and over 7 million of us now on furlough, we’d be forgiven for treating this time ‘off’ as a holiday to save us from the angst of thinking ‘what happens next?’.

Health professionals are rightly concerned about our mental health as a result of the pandemic. Stress, anxiety, boredom – we are all feeling the impact of over two months of lock down. Adding a large consumption of alcohol into the mix (and the inevitable hangover and unnecessary calories) could be even more detrimental to a person’s physical and mental health.

So, with a few weeks more of lock down seeming inevitable, could CBD be the tonic we all need to help take the edge of?

How could CBD help?

As we have just covered, drinking to relax is an age-old ritual however many are now looking towards CBD as a hangover free way of restoring a sense of balance and calm – but how and why?

If you’re looking for new coping mechanisms during this period of self-isolation, perhaps it’s worth considering CBD. It’s easy to use and can be woven into your wellness regime without fuss. It’s also a one-stop shop. Why buy countless of supplements designed for specific functions, when the research behind CBD shows that it could support many of them at once. It’s definitely more cost effective and might be a better way to promote relaxation rather than reaching for the bottle.

CBD and stress

The connection between CBD and stress is becoming increasingly substantial and much talked about – with new research emerging every week.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse: “CBD has shown therapeutic efficacy in a range of animal models of anxiety and stress, reducing both behavioural and physiological (e.g., heart rate) measures of stress and anxiety.”

‘CBD has also been shown to lower cortisol levels, as it interacts with the endocannabinoid system and the serotonin system, which are involved in anxiety and depression’ comments scientific advisor to The Drug Store Julie Moltke, whose book A Quick Guide To CBD is out this month.

This is because CBD is thought to help restore balance to our endocannabinoid system (also known as the ECS – a system crucial for supporting our overall wellness) by preventing overstimulation of your CB1 receptors and by boosting your body’s production of endocannabinoids.

Amongst many important functions, the ECS helps to regulate mood and sleep. However stress can cause your endocannabinoid system to become dysregulated, which in turn can cause us to sleep badly, have higher levels of anxiety than usual, low moods etc. Restoring balance by supplementing your current regime with CBD could have a positive and lasting impact on these functions, ensuring you are feeling mentally on top of your game during the day and more chilled at the end.

Conversely, self-medicating with an additional glass of wine could very well help you in the short term. But we all know that the day after, those feelings and issues remain and may, in some cases, feel worse than before. After all, alcohol is a nervous system depressant which impairs the regular functioning of the brain.

CBD sales are soaring

CBD companies have definitely seen an uplift in sales of late with a March 2020 survey of CBD consumers showing that 39% expect to use more CBD during the COVID-19 crisis, rising to 49% amongst Millennials and Gen Z consumers. One of the brands that has benefited from this is CBD lifestyle brand, Pollen.

“CBD has become hugely popular since coronavirus hit because it’s a one-stop shop for multiple health concerns. Our customers are seeking simple additions to their self-care rituals and the feedback from our community is that they are turning to our products as a way of supporting their wellness during this time.” says founder Melanie Goldsmith.

Pollen’s state-of-the-art innovation team have developed three product ranges: a botanical CBD soft drink, CBD Gummies and CBD Drink Drops. Pollen’s CBD is derived from USA grown, certified, broad-spectrum hemp with no pesticides or chemicals, plus it is independently third party tested not once, but twice to ensure complete accuracy of dose with undetectable levels of THC. And the best bit is that none of Pollen’s products contain that bitter CBD aftertaste – in fact, they taste totally amazing.

“One comment that’s cropping up more now is how CBD is helping them stay away from drinking too much.” continues Mel. “One of our products, Pollenade, has 15mg of water-soluble CBD from broad spectrum hemp oil. We wanted it to taste like a premium, adult, sparking drink so mixed botanical flavours to ensure it had a complex taste instead of a sugar overload. Pollenade takes the edge off, without the need for booze, and sometimes that’s all we need.”

We’ve been using Pollen’s Drink Drops (Soothe You which have 30mg of CBD per serving) in tonic water at night. Because it has botanical flavours, it’s just like a craft gin or a light cocktail. We also saw a recipe for a CBD rosemary and cucumber gimlet which looks amazing and would work perfectly with their vanilla drink drops.

We see a lot of CBD brands at Healthista HQ, but we all agree that Pollen’s products speak for themselves – just try them and you will see.

They are also gaining quite the cult celebrity following (Kim Kardashian to name drop just one!) and the backing of CBD experts such as Dr Moltke.

Perhaps what is even more impressive about this brand is their commitment to create a safe space for their customers (many of whom are from the creative community) and beyond to talk openly and feel supported. This really is a brand who take both quality and kindness seriously.

This post has been sponsored by Pollen CBD.

Healthista have partnered with Pollen to offer 20% off their first order throughout June and July. Just use the code ‘SELFCARE’ at the checkout. Website: uk.withpollen.com

5 best meal replacement shakes

Posted on June 13, 2020 | by Olivia Hartland-Robbins

Eaten more than ever in lockdown and never want to look at food again? Ok exaggeration much but one of these low calorie meal replacements might help you shed some of those unwanted pounds

Have you already given up on your new year resolution to lose weight? And has lockdown completely ruined any chance of losing some weight?

Anyways, with January in the rear-view mirror, old habits are likely to have snuck their way back in despite lockdown. Which means extra calories here and there and snoozing your alarm rather than heading outside for a workout.

The truth is though, those bad habits, no matter how small can be detrimental to your weight loss efforts. Ultimately, the key to losing weight comes down to how many calories you’re consuming and burning off.

he key strategy for losing weight comes down to reducing your calorie intake

Indeed, any weight-loss expert will tell you that the key strategy for losing weight comes down to reducing your calorie intake, this is known as a calorie deficit.

Essentially, this means you need to be burning off more calories than you have consumed, either by not eating as many calories, or burning off the calories you have eaten with increased activity and exercise.

So how can we control our calorie intake? Behold the new ‘in’ thing – meal replacement shakes.

In fact meal replacements are now a big deal with a huge number of companies creating new and exciting flavours in order to satisfy our taste-buds.

Maybe you need to kick start your weight loss? Maybe you need to maintain your weight for your best friend’s wedding in a few weeks? Or maybe you have some dinners planned and you need to calorie control during the day?

Whatever the reason or goal, meal replacement shakes will keep you on track and help you to control your calories where you need to.

So without further ado, here are the best meal replacements shakes that get the Healthista weight-loss seal of approval…

Best meal replacement shake #1 Norvia

Norvia is a nutrition company that launched a plant-based VLCD weight loss system based on meal replacement shakes in 2018.

Their three phase programme to achieve your weight-loss goals is based on a regular diet of three meals and two snacks per day.

Attack phase

If you’re clinically obese, you may want to go on the ‘attack’ phase of the diet. Which involves having five 140 calorie shakes for up to 12 weeks. Doctor supervision is advised.

5x Norvia shakes a day, approx. every 3hrs.
2L water / low calorie beverages a day.
Eat unlimited low calorie vegetables.

Integrate phase

For modest weight loss though and to simply just eat less where you need to, Norvia recommends replacing two to three of your daily meals with Norvia Weight loss shakes plus one healthy meal and one healthy snack during the day for up to 12 weeks.

3x Norvia a day, plus one calorie-controlled meal (around 500 calories).
2L water / low calorie beverages a day.
Eat unlimited low calorie vegetables.

Maintain phase

Then to further maintain weight loss after this, Norvia recommends replacing just one meal (breakfast, lunch or dinner) with one of the 140 calorie weight loss shakes.

1-2x Norvia a day, plus two calorie-controlled meals.
2L water / low calorie beverages a day.
Eat unlimited low calorie vegetables.

So basically, for fast and effective results start with Attack phase. For slower results and simpler integration into a healthy diet routine start with Integrate phase.

If you’re not after weight loss, but need some extra nutritional supplementation after exercise, you can try Norvia Active Performance, designed as an addition to a healthy diet.

Healthista’s verdict…

Healthista are big fans of Norvia. In fact when we run out we genuinely have a tantrum. It’s just such a yummy meal replacement, you totally don’t miss food.

Water, shaker, Norvia sachet, shake and enjoy. It’s THAT easy.

Flavours available are Arctic Chocolate and Ice Vanilla, both of which are sensational, the Healthista team couldn’t name a favourite.

They aren’t too sweet, but aren’t too bland either, they are smooth, delicious and taste like a milkshake – what’s not to like?

Plus, the drinks do what it says on the tin and really does fill you up.

Taste: 9/10

Stops hunger: 9/10

Calories per serving: 140

Single portion foil sachets for maximum freshness and convenience.

Simply add the sachet to water in a shaker and you’re good to go.

Norvia Weight Loss (VLCD) shakes cost EUR 2.49 per sachet/portion and EUR 34.95 for the box of 14 sachets.

Norvia Active Performance shakes cost EUR 2.99 per sachet/portion EUR 29.95 for the box holding 10 sachets are available from Norvia.com.

Follow Norvia on Instagram @norvianutrition.

Best meal replacement shake #2 The 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan

Ok, so we know that 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan diet plan isn’t just meal replacement ‘shakes’, but the shakes that they do offer are SO yummy we simply had to include them and their effective weight loss plan.

If you are looking for a meal replacement programme but need some extra ‘one to one’ support then 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan is the perfect meal replacement diet for you.

This diet certainly isn’t boring with over 35 products to choose from including a massive range of delicious meals, shakes, bars, soups, smoothies and snacks. All of their products and meals are around 200 calories.

1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan range has been researched and tested by experts to provide all the vitamins and minerals your body needs for manageable and healthy weight loss, so you don’t need to worry about missing out on any of the key vitamins and nutrients.

All you need to do is find your personal diet consultant in your area, choose the nutritionally balanced products that you love the most and work out the perfect you-shaped plan to get you and your body to where you want to be.

1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan works in a ‘step’ plan. Each step of the plan has been tailored to help you reach your goals and with your consultant, you can work out which plan fits in with your life.

There are 6 Steps, but they’re not linear, so you can do any step at any time depending on your goal.

Step 1: will help you lose weight quickly and effectively. Here you’ll replace all daily food with nutritionally complete meal replacement products. No supermarket shopping is necessary, just pick three or four products per day and voila – 600 to 800 calories a day.

Step 2: three products a day as well as a healthy meal of your choice that is around 200 calories. Think chicken and veg or a tuna salad – 800 calories a day.

Step 3: choose two products as well as a healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner – 1000 calories a day.

Step 4: If you’re active, have a hectic job or you’re a gym bunny then you’ll need a few more calories than most. For this step you’ll continue to have a couple of products a day as well as your lunch and dinner, plus an additional snack.

Step 5: teaches portion control and how to make the right food choices to help maintain your healthy weight. You’ll continue to cook your food in a healthy way whilst still having one of the products throughout the day.

Step 6: the step that’s all about maintenance. You’ll still have regular check ins with your consultant for a pep talk every now and again, as well as a reminder of how far you’ve come. At this step, it’s wise to have a few products on you, such as a bar or shake in your bag, just in case the office doughnuts threaten to ruin your progress.

All 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan products are either quick and easy to make or you can just grab them and go. But of the extensive range of products, their meal replacement shakes really do stand out. They are seriously delicious – like a McDonalds milkshake only far healthier.

The shakes come in classic flavours such as strawberry, vanilla and banana, as well as other flavours such as chocolate mint, chocolate orange and cappuccino. They are the perfect option for those who don’t have the time to prepare meals throughout the day as they’re super simple to make, just mix with water, shake and enjoy.

Healthista’s verdict…

I myself gave the 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan meal replacement plan a go and tested step 2 where I have three products a day and one healthy 200 calorie meal.

I lost four pounds in just one week – I know right. And by the second week I had lost a total of 22 inches from my chest, waist, hips, bum, legs and arms.

The meal replacement shakes really were the highlight of the plan for me, which is why I simply had to include them in this round up.

My absolute favourite flavour was mint chocolate, but I honestly loved them all. Like Norvia, all you need is water, a shaker, a 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan meal replacement sachet, shake things up and voila.

Oh and the shakes definitely fill you up, the only thing is they are so delicious I could drink them all day, but I guess that defeats the objective of calorie controlled weight loss…

Taste: 9/10

Stops hunger: 8/10

Calories per serving: 200

Prices vary from consultant to consultant, but on average, you’ll only pay around £2.60 for a meal.

So, it’s cheaper and a whole lot better for you than bad food choices, plus it’s super easy to grab and go and you won’t have to spend ages in a supermarket or kitchen. Ideal for those who don’t have time to get organised.

1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan is based on research, developed over decades by the top experts in the field and are used in guidelines issued by the American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology and The Obesity Society for weight management.

Their products contain the recommended levels of all essential vitamins, minerals and other nutrients and have been shown to lead to substantial weight loss through calorie restriction and better dietary intake.

Best meal replacement shake #3 Huel

Everyone has heard of meal replacement and protein brand, Huel.

In fact, Huel is the world’s leading complete food brand with a long list of successful products including powder, ready-made shakes and protein bars – aka the ultimate brand of easy healthy replacements, no wonder they are so popular.

Huel is a powdered meal replacement, blended with water to create a nutritionally complete meal in a shake. Plus, Huel is a gluten-free and 100 per cent vegan.

Huel’s meal replacement powders contain 26 essential vitamins and minerals, along with the perfect balance of protein, carbs and fibre you need to fuel you through your day.

Huel’s brand new Black Edition powder contains 50 per cent less carbs, 33 per cent more protein, zero artificial sweeteners and is naturally gluten-free.

Customers can choose between two classic flavours, vanilla and chocolate.

Top tips for making you Huel extra delicious:

Add ice cubes, or try chilling it overnight
Too thick? Add more water
Too thin? Use less water next time
Try plant based milk instead of water for a creamier taste and texture

Healthista’s verdict…

The main thing that stands out about Huel’s new Black Edition powder, is that it seriously fills you up.

Which means it does the job that’s intended of it. In fact one day I made a Huel shake and couldn’t even finish it, put it in the fridge and returned to it later on.

Serving sizes can be one scoop (45g, 200 calories) or two scoops (90g, 400 calories).

The two scoops is what makes the shake so filling and thick.

Being this thick makes it seem more like a meal that does satisfy your hunger, compared to some shake that are thinner and less filling.

Huel isn’t sweet though, not that we minded that as here at Healthista HQ, we don’t necessarily have a sweet tooth. We tried the vanilla flavour.

Healthista editor Anna Magee is completely sold on Huel, I think I have seen her have it for lunch pretty much everyday since we received a bag.

Taste: 8/10

Stops hunger: 9/10

Calories per serving: 200 or 400

After listening to feedback from their community, Huel has increased the protein ratio in Huel Black Edition and reduced the carbs to offer maximum flexibility.

Huel costs just £1.63 for a 400 calorie nutritionally complete meal.

They also offer bulk and subscription discounts, meaning the cost could start from just £1.10 per meal.

Huel has also released their new Huel Powder v3.0 which is the latest version of their original powdered food formula but with a smoother texture and an improved.

Since their last update two years ago, Huel’s new formula has been made with all natural flavours to improve the taste, while not compromising on nutrition.

Huel believes that Huel Powder v3.0 is their best powder yet, and still contains all 26 essential vitamins and minerals, along with the perfect balance of protein, carbs, fibre you need on a daily basis.

Each serving of Huel Powder v3.0 contains 29g of plant-based protein, 7g of fibre and less than 1 per cent of sugar – wowzers.

The new formula features all-natural ingredients, such as ultra-fine oats, tapioca starch, pea protein, brown rice flour, MCTs from coconut and flaxseed.

The main difference between Huel’s New Black Editon and their New Huel Powder v3.0 is that there more protein in the Black edition (40 grams compared to 29 grams) as well as being lower in carbohydrates (17 grams compared to 38 grams).

Serving sizes can be one scoop (45g, 200 calories) or two scoops (90g, 400 calories).

Healthistas verdict…

When we first opened our vanilla bag of Huel v3.0, the smell of the powder didn’t thrill us. But that first sip? Honestly YUM. Not only is it delicious, it has a strong vanilla taste that is sweet but not too sweet.

Just like Huel’s Black Edition, Heul Powder v3.0 is also very thick which makes it seem like more of a meal and is very filling indeed.

The same thing happened to me yet again whereby I actually couldn’t finish the drink all in one go. I had a rest and couldn’t wait to go back for more.

Healthista may just have a new favourite meal replacement…

Taste: 9/10

Stops hunger: 9/10

Calories per serving: 200 or 400

Huel Powder v3.0 is gluten free, 100 per cent vegan and made with sustainable ingredients.

Customers can choose from seven delicious flavours, such as vanilla, coffee, chocolate, banana, mint chocolate and berry.

For as little as £1.47 per meal, customers have access to nutritious and affordable meals which they can prepare in seconds.

For more info visit huel.com

Best meal replacement shake #4 Fast-800

Seen this famous face before? Doctor Micheal Mosley is a well-known TV doctor famous for his appearances on the BBC since 1985.

You may also know him as the man who popularised the famous 5:2 diet after appearing the in BBC documentary Eat, Fast and Live Longer, where he discovered the powerful new science behind the ancient idea of fasting.

The 5:2 diet still allowed him to enjoy his food, and when testing out the fasting diet on himself he saw life-changing results.

In fact, Doctor Mosley’s Fast Diet has become one of the health phenomenon of our times.

Doctor Mosley has since gone on to write other books including his latest book The Fast 800: How to combine rapid weight loss and intermittent fasting for long-term health, where he brings together the latest science that suggests how 800 calories is the magic number when it comes to successful dieting and maintaining weight-loss.

The 5:2 diet is already pretty simple to follow, whereby for two days a week you only consume 800 calories, it’s just been made even easier with their new Fast 800 Shakes.

Although Dr Mosley and his wife Dr Clare Bailey recommend eating real food first, they also understand that people live busy lives and cannot always cook for themselves.

That’s why they have developed a convenient yet nutritional meal replacement, low in sugary and starchy carbs, high in protein, fibre and quality fats, formulated in line with their principles to take the stress out of healthy living.

According to Dr Mosley and Dr Bailey, increasing evidence points to the occasional meal replacement shake being essential in maintaining a healthy lifestyle in today’s hectic world.

In fact, research indicates that partial meal replacement (PMR) of food with shakes helps lead to better outcomes than conventional diets alone.

For example, in 2008, the American Dietetic Association compared three randomised controlled trials of weight loss programmes, comparing real food alone to programmes that featured partial meal replacement shakes.

Results found that those using partial meal replacement shakes lost more weight at 12 weeks as well as over one year later, plus they had a significantly lower drop-out rate.

So, whether you want to replace your lunchtime sandwich or your evening ready meal (or both) to help cut down your calories, the Fast 800 shakes will help take the stress out of healthy living and keep you on track.

The Mediterranean style Fast 800 shakes are calorie controlled at 196 calories per 50g serving (that’s 5 scoops) and offers 23g of protein.

The shakes are 100 per cent natural, 100 per cent vegetarian and contain no artificial additives.

What they do contain though are a carefully chosen blend of whey or vegetable protein, coconut, almonds, minerals and vitamins.

Slow release and satisfying, the nutrient dense low-sugar/low-carb calories in the Fast 800 shakes will keep you full between meals without raising blood sugar levels.

Containing 25 per cent of your recommended daily intake of 262 essential minerals and vitamins per each 200 calorie serving, to help provide you with the nutrition you need.

The Fast 800, has now launched a brand-new flavour to its range of natural and nutritious shakes – Coffee. The 200-calorie, coffee flavour shake, contains no caffeine and is packed with natural ingredients containing essential nutrients that will help to support immune systems.

Healthista’s verdict…

We tested the Fast 800 vanilla meal replacement and again like Huel, it’s one for those who don’t necessarily have a sweet tooth. It isn’t bland though, just the right amount of vanilla sweet.

What we noticed about the Fast 800 shakes is that it is more grainy rather than smooth, like some other meal replacements. This makes it feel more like a meal. If you do want it to be smoother though you could always give it a whiz in a blender.

I have replaced my lunch a few times with the Fast 800 formula, and although I didn’t feel full straight after drinking the shake, I felt that around two hours later, I was no where near as hungry as I would normally be.

So whether you are looking to lose weight or simply support a healthy lifestyle, these shakes can be perfect for giving you that little extra help where you need it.

Taste: 6/10

Stops hunger: 7/10

Calories per serving: 196

As well as the Original shakes available in vanilla, chocolate and strawberry flavours, Fast 800 also sell a vegan range in the same three flavours – yum.

Simply mix five scoop with water or unsweetened almond milk (around 25kcal per 200ml).

You’ll get ten shakes per 500g pouch for £18.99 (that’s £1.90 a shake).

For more info visit the Fast 800 website.

Best meal replacement shake #5 Ringana, Complete d-eat

Day to day stress and busier lives is putting more pressure on people than ever before and that’s also having an impact on their diet, as most people can’t find the time to buy high quality nutritious food.

That’s why Ringana has developed Complete d-eat – the healthy go-to shake with only 200 calories per meal.

Indeed, one sachet is the same as a full, well-balanced meal that contains all the important nutrients a person needs from a healthy diet, as well as essential amino acids.

The ingredients are all natural with no artificial flavorings, sweeteners or other synthetic additives. Plus, the shakes rely on natural vegan protein sources such as wholegrain rice, linseed, peas and sunflower seeds.

Preparation again is super quick and easy, simply mix 300ml of water in a shaker with one sachet of d-eat and you have your meal replacement.

There are three different phases to the d-eat meal replacement plan.

Weight loss phase

To lose weight effectively, replacing two of your main meals per day is suggested.

As well as this be sure to drink two to three litres of calorie free beverages such as water and herbal teas and ensure you get at least 30 minutes of movement daily.

Continue with this phase until you have reached your desired weight.

Stabilisation phase

During this phase you replace only one meal with a d-eat shake – ideally your evening meal – and eat two normal, balanced meals per day.

Your weight should stabilise or drop slightly more. Once your weight has remained stable for some time, stop replacing your meals with d-eat and move onto the next phase.

Maintenance phase

This phase is to be done once you have reached your feelgood weight, and so that it stays that way you now choose one day per week called your d-eat day.

The principle is simple: one day a week (ideally a weekday) you replace two of your meals with a Complete d-eat shake. On the other six days you eat a normal, balanced diet.

Healthista’s verdict…

This meal replacement is certainly that, as after trying testing, the whole Healthista team felt full indeed.

d-eat doesn’t have a distinct flavour, in fact it’s very neutral. A few Healthistas had to add some coconut milk to theirs as they felt it was too bland.

The thing is, it can’t be described as sweet or savory, which makes it very hard to describe the taste, but earthy and mild is what we agreed on.

The texture though can be described as creamy with no grainy bits or lumps, making it very easy to drink.

Taste: 4/10

Stops hunger: 7/10

Calories per serving: 200

Don’t fancy cooking? Want to lose some excess weight?

Complete d-eat is a complete vegan meal that provides you with all the nutrients you need, and has only 200 kcal.

14 sachets (700g), £51.70 (EUR 59)

For more information visit ringana.com

Relevant Healthista Content:

11 diet and fitness rules Jennifer Lopez lives by

13 healthy eating tips from Chris Hemsworth’s chef

Healthista Content you may also like:

Need a protein powder for weight loss? Look for these 6 ingredients

22 vegan protein sources and exactly how much to eat of them

Do you need to add more plant-based protein to your diet?

8 best tasting kombucha drinks

3 ways CBD can improve your sex life

Posted on April 5, 2020 | by Olivia Hartland-Robbins

CBD may be a well known aid for stress and anxiety, but it’s also great for what goes down in the bedroom. Here are 3 ways CBD can improve your sex life

CBD is one of the hottest trends to date and one of the fastest growing wellness supplements on the planet – literally everyone is talking about it.

In fact, a CBD Usage survey carried out by the Centre for Medicinal Cannabis (CMC), found that 6 million people in the UK have used CBD in some form.

CBD oil – which is short for cannabidiol oil, is derived from cannabis but without the psychoactive substance THC.

It’s become such a popular aid that companies are coming up with plenty of innovative ways for people to get their CBD hit, such as adding it to beauty products, gummies, foods and drinks.

Most people are aware of the benefits of taking CBD and how it can help mitigate a range of wellness issues, such as promoting relaxation and restful sleep, relieving anxiety and stress by having a beneficial effect on the brain and having anti-inflammatory properties.

But did you also know that CBD can also help in the bedroom department?

Are you feeling irritable, depressed or sleep deprived? From money worries to arguments with your nearest and dearest or deadlines at work to the current coronavirus crisis – plenty of factors may be playing havoc with your libido and sex life.

Given the current circumstances, many of us will be spending more time inside. Could upping your sex life be a welcome addition to your schedule?

Here are three ways CBD can improve your sex life. You can thank us later…

#1 CBD eases stress and anxiety

One of the key reasons most people supplement with CBD is due to its ability to reduce stress and anxiety.

This is mainly due to the fact that CBD is believed to enhance the effects of your natural feel good brain chemicals and receptors within the body’s own endocannabinoid system (ECS) – a collection of cell receptors related to mood, such as serotonin.

Stress affects relationships in many ways, but it certainly affects intimate relationships and can lead to longer periods of celibacy.

‘Stress affecting your sex life is a very common problem, I even feel this way myself when I am going through a particularly stressful time,’ says health expert, Dr Moltke.

This is because when reacting to stress, our bodies go through a series of changes in order to prepare for you to either run away or stay and fight. This is known as the fight or flight response, where you’ll notice an increase in heart rate, blood pressure and breathing rate.

This fight or flight response triggers the release of hormones, such as cortisol (stress hormone) and epinephrine (adrenaline), which in high levels can cause a decreased sex drive.

When stress is chronic or long lasting, the body uses up our sex hormones to meet the increasing demands for higher cortisol production, this diminishes sex drive leaving you with absolutely no interest in having sex.

‘Stress involves the release of different hormones, but especially the chronic stress hormone known as cortisol, which is directly involved in lowering your libido and your sexual drive,’ explains Dr Moltke who is also Editor in Chief of Getthedose.com and Scientific advisor to TheDrug.Store.

‘In fact, cortisol can completely rob a woman of her sex drive and can make it difficult for men to get an erection’.

So, in order to help increase your sex drive you’ll need to lower your stress (cortisol) levels.

To do this, many people turn to alcohol to help them relax. However, you don’t need us to tell you that alcohol probably isn’t the best answer. It may reduce stress in the short term, but long term it can cause a whole heap of health issues.

Plus, alcohol has a direct negative effect on sex drive. This is because alcohol is a depressant, meaning it can dampen mood, decrease sexual desire and make it difficult for a man to achieve an erection as well as make it harder for a woman to reach orgasm.

What can reduce stress levels though without the need for alcohol is CBD. This is due to the role CBD has in supporting the endocannabinoid and serotonin system.

Incorporating CBD into your daily routine rather than that glass of wine could be far more beneficial in reducing your stress levels and therefore your sex drive.

We spoke to 40-year-old Catherine who switched her and her partner’s stress relieving post-work wine for CBD.

‘Although I wasn’t drinking loads, I did find that I was becoming a little too reliant on alcohol to help ease tension and feel more chilled out at the end of my day,’ explains Catherine.

‘Last year, my partner and I decided to give up alcohol for 30 days for Stoptober, and despite finding a great selection of alcohol-free tonics and nice tasting drinks, we still found it really hard to relax in the way I used to with alcohol.

‘I had read loads about the benefits of CBD for stress, so decided to give it a go and see if it would help relieve any stress and tension. There were plenty around to choose from, but most tasted rather yuck.

‘After a bit of research I found out about Pollen, made with CBD from broad spectrum hemp oil that comes in three delicious flavours of drink drops, (£55 to £135 per 100ml).

‘All I had to do was add these drops to my regular tonic or juice as part of my daily routine, and after a couple of weeks I found myself able to relax and enjoy more intimate moments with my partner.

‘When it came to bedtime, rather than passing out after a few glasses of wine, we enjoyed chatting and spending time in bed together discussing our sex life. Feeling more relaxed and connected helped with both our arousal and meant we had more satisfying and meaningful sex.

‘Taking time to enjoy being intimate and explore ways to touch and feel was really exciting and rather unexpected, which was a a huge bonus.

‘Oh, and having more sex has been proven to reduce stress, we are so much more connected, so it’s a win-win for us’.

CBD can also help with anxiety during sex…

CBD can also stop the worrying thoughts that go through your head before or during sex.

Not only does stress affect your sex life physically but physiologically too, as stress can cause you to have a busy and racing mind which can distract you from wanting sex or being present whilst having sex. This can lead to relationship tensions.

‘What often accompanies stress is ruminations, worry, obsessive thoughts and self-critical statements which can consume a person’s thoughts, diminishing sexual desire,’ adds Dr Moltke.

‘If you can’t rest and relax the mind, your brain turns into a broken record of thought processes and destructive thoughts, making it very hard to get into the mood for sex and intimacy, neither are you present in the present moment’.

Plus, during sex anxious thoughts may distract a person from pleasurable sensations, making it difficult to become aroused or orgasm.

So basically, stress and sex drive do not mix. You just cannot have a head full of worries as well as a great sex life.

Try also: Pollen’s three flavours of delicious gummies infused with 10mg of CBD per piece (1-3 gummies at a time), made with natural ingredients, £35 (30 gummies).

These gummies are perfect for those who aren’t too keen on the bitter taste of other CBD products as they are flavoured with delicious natural flavours such as cayenne and grapefruit, as well as honey and tart cherry with no distinctive aftertaste.

#2 CBD helps you sleep so you have more energy for sex

As well as being a popular supplement for stress and anxiety relief, CBD is also excellent in aiding restful sleep, which is necessity if you want the energy to have a great sex life in the first place.

‘CBD is great for helping people sleep and when asking clients many of them do use CBD especially for sleep purposes,’ says Dr Moltke.

‘Sleep is a huge stress reliever and is super important when trying to manage your stress levels. You must make time to work on your sleep pattern and prioritise a good night’s sleep of you want to diminish chronic stress.

‘If you’re really stressed and I often see this in the stress clinic I work with, people will have such high cortisol levels and constant racing thoughts, it makes it increasingly difficult for them to fall asleep or they wake up many times during the night, meaning they do not feel refreshed or energised the next day.

‘I recommend taking 25mg of CBD consistently in order to feel the effects, says Dr Moltke. ‘But you may even need more. Some people feel the effects almost instantly but for others it may take two weeks to a month.

‘If you don’t feel anything after a month it’s probably because you are taking too little or you are taking a CBD product that isn’t right for your endocannabinoid system. There are certain medications that do not work well with CBD (e.g certain blood-thinners), so be sure to check with your GP,’ advises Dr Moltke.

It’s important to use a CBD brand which is independently tested and clearly states the percentage or amount of CBD within the product so you can control your dosage.

A study in The Times found that a huge percentage of CBD products had far less CBD than they were claiming. Pollen CBD is independently tested twice which means you can be certain that Pollen products have the amount of CBD that is stated on the label.

As well as taking CBD, Dr Moltke advises meditating before bed, having a warm shower and making sure you have a bedtime routine that allows you to sleep for a total of seven to nine hours.

#3 CBD reduces pain

Although CBD is often used to help with joint related pain and arthritis, CBD can also benefit pain such as menstrual cramps.

CBD addresses pain in two ways, it can desensitise pain-perceiving nerves as well as limiting inflammation which is often a major contributor to pain.

This works because CBD targets the same enzyme that Ibuprofen does, which decreases your body’s production of inflammatory prostaglandins. This reduces both the intensity of menstrual cramps and your ability to feel their pain signals.

What’s more, CBD also increases blood flow and nerve sensation, which can help enhance sexual pleasure and intensify orgasms.

We spoke to Terri and her partner who have been together for four years. Terri started taking CBD for anxiety, and for pain caused by endometriosis. Both her and her partner have been taking CBD for four months.

Terri and Reagan — Terri and her partner Reagan

‘It was a friend who recommended I use CBD to help my anxiety and for pain relief from my endometriosis symptoms.

‘My endometriosis often meant that I used to get some pain after sex like a bad bout of cramps. It’s difficult to explain, but it could often go on for days.

‘There were also lots of days when one or both us were just too stressed out to be interested in sex either. Stress levels seemed to dictate if we had sex or not, and if we did it was often a quicky on the weekend once we’d had a couple of drinks.

‘The drinking helped me forget about the potential pain issues, which would usually cause me to tense up and find it impossible to be in the moment.

‘But although this helped in the short term, long term it meant that I no longer looked forward to a drink and I really didn’t like the fact I was relying on alcohol.

‘Plus, in the end we’d got out of the habit of having sex sober and it was sad because at the beginning we always had a healthy, loving sex life rather than a drunken fumble.

‘Initially we started by taking a CBD tincture which didn’t seem to have much effect as it was too low in CBD. We then swapped to Pollen and it took about two to four weeks for us to see noticeable effects.

‘After taking Pollen CBD Drink Drops two to three times a day, I started to feel more relaxed for sure. Not having to rely on booze to get me in the mood also meant our sex is now more loving and we’re back to mid-week and morning sex – which is great!’

Think you – or your sex life – could benefit from some CBD supplements?

Pollen CBD are giving Healthista readers 20 per cent off when using code HEALTHY20 at checkout.

Relevant Healthista Content:

23 ways to talk about sex with your partner

17 best lubes to make your sex life better

Healthista Content you may also like:

10 CBD oil questions answered

My boyfriend doesn’t satisfy me sexually – therapy

Looking for a way to reduce stress? Try this one minute breathing technique

7 surprising hacks for a good night’s sleep

10 simple ways to de-stress during self isolation FEATURED

11 simple ways to de-stress during self isolation

Posted on April 4, 2020 | by Charlotte Dormon

Charlotte Dormon, Healthista writer and wellbeing coach reveals 11 simple ways we can de-stress during self-isolation including supplements and lifestyle tips

The easy option for most when feeling stressed and anxious about life is to pour yourself a large Gin and Tonic or glass of wine, grab a spoon and a tub of ice cream, shove a Netflix box set on to zone out for as long as possible from what is going on.

This type of behaviour is totally understandable in times of crisis (such as now with us knee deep in Covid-19 chaos) and certainly may help you temporarily feel ‘checked out’ from real life mayhem.

But, the side effects of this type of coping strategy results in an expanding waistline, lacklustre skin, low mood, sleep struggles and hormonal imbalances.

So what can we do instead to help manage our stress levels and feelings of anxiety?

5 lifestyle solutions that can help

#1 Step away from the wine and feel fine

Yeah you might feel like dancing around to Madonna after a few glasses of wine, but the next day you’re most likely going to feel a bit blah mood wise and thanks to your blood sugar dropping post booze, you’re going to most likely want to chomp through tons of biscuits.

Unfortunately drinking alcohol will not help you stay strong mentally or physically as alcohol and sugar (there is a lot of sugar in wine) depress our immune system, as well as playing havoc with our happy brain chemicals like serotonin.

#2 Work it out

Try to do some exercise to boost mood and circulation each day. Create a mini routine and find something fun that keeps you fit and active that makes you feel better.

#3 Read and Write

Write, read and keep focused on anything that makes you positive.

Get some books out that you have been meaning to read for ages. Learn as much as you can – there is so much free information out there to help you study and grow through personal development.

Maybe there is a book you have wanted to write yourself? Now could be the perfect time.

#4 Feel Gratitude

Practice gratitude. Despite this being one of the most testing times in history, many studies I have read in over the years prove that giving thanks & practicing gratitude for everyday simple things we often take for granted.

This can be things such as sleeping in a warm comfy bed, plenty of hot water to make tea, books to read, the ability to be able to read, having friends and family that love us, etc.

Just spending a few moments each day to acknowledge these things and feeling a sense of love and gratitude for them are shown to support mental wellbeing.

#5 Take a deep breath

It seems obvious that breathing is just something we do, but most of us don’t use the breath as a way of controlling our inner peace.

Before you eat a meal, focus on doing some deep belly breathing to help reduce anxiety and stress.

Try to use your inner breathing as a way of controlling the fire (anxiety and stress) just holding your tummy and breathing slowing and deeply into it throughout the day will help you to feel more peaceful and helps keep our body in a more alkaline state – which is better for your immune health.

What natural supplements help?

I am a big fan of natural supplements and using them a great deal as a way of helping me cope when navigating through very choppy periods of my life.

Be that getting out of an unhealthy relationship, healing through heartache, or just super stressful times in my career when I felt overwhelmed and unable to emotionally deal with the pressure.

Here’s my personal list of my top five natural stress busters:

#1 Control sugar and wine cravings CBD

One of the most popular stress busters right now thanks to its calming benefits and for me an absolute godsend to keep my mind and body serene when going though a wave of stress and anxiety.

I add a few drops of this to my morning matcha or coffee, and always have on hand if I am craving a sugary binge, or a glass of wine post-work to easy anxiety.

As I am 100 per cent teetotal right now, due to the fact that I want to be as mentally and physically strong as possible during this time, I have found CBD in a soft drink (cue making your own CBD infused mocktail) is going to be my evening treat in place of any alcoholic drink.

Try: Pollen Vanilla flavoured CBD Drink Drops, £55 (100ml)

#2 Take Ashwagandha to de-stress and sleep better

My ultimate stress-busting herbal hero is ashwagandha.

This adaptogenic plant helps nourish the adrenal glands, reduce cortisol and support our hormonal wellbeing. It’s an excellent health tonic for those that tend to run on adrenaline throughout the day and struggle with poor health after periods of stress.

For me ashwagandha is a herb I take to help me sleep better (as it lowers cortisol that can often make us wake up alter the night worrying about everything when you would rather be asleep and is helpful to keep hormones balanced.

Try: two capsules a day of Pukka organic Ashwagandha, available to buy on Amazon in the US and in the UK.

#3 Soak in magnesium to soothe you

We have heard this many times before and I don’t think there are many people left that haven’t heard about the wonders of magnesium for helping our bodies deal with stress.

Having a bath with magnesium (or soaking your feet in it if you don’t have a bath) soothes tired aching muscles and helps us feel more rested and calm and sleep a lot better.

Try: one large cup of BetterYou Magnesium Flakes in a bath or to make a foot soak. Available to buy on Amazon in the US and in the UK.

#4 Use flower power to settle crazy emotions

Just like many other medicinal plants on this planet, flowers are not there just to look pretty, they also have incredibly healing properties, specifically effective at supporting us through an emotional shift.

I have been a huge fan of Australian flower essences for about 20 years now and find incredible benefit in using them in sprays (can be used directly on the skin or in a room), body creams (can be applied externally to any area of the body) and drops (in water or directly under the tongue) to help my mind and body stay more peaceful and resilient when dealing with what life throws at us.

I use calm and clear drops in my water or straight under my tongue when I feel overwhelmed. It helps you feel more grounded and calm and able to take on challenges with a more optimistic frame of mind.

Try: Australian Bush Flower Essence Calm and Clear oral drops. Available to buy on Amazon in the US and in the UK.

#5 Take a chill pill

Unbeelievable Health Bee Calm supplement has a blend of natural ingredients that help the body deal with anxiety and stress.

This formula contains eight beneficial ingredients including: lemon balm which aids relaxation and decreases tension, passion flower which increases the body’s resistance to stress.

As well as magnesium which contributes to normal psychological function and to the normal function of the nervous system which is especially beneficial in periods of stress and depression.

Lastly, rhodiola is an adaptogen which means it work with the body to balance its functions, and may increase resistance to physical and environmental stress, which can lead to improved anxiety and moods.

Take two capsules Unbeelievable bee calm capsules with breakfast each day.

#6 Feed your brain and boost concentration

When your daily routine is turned upside down, you feel a bit low and left struggling to focus all day, it can be hard to not want to break up every other thirty minutes with a scroll on Instagram, eat another slab of peanut butter on toast, or to check the latest group chat on WhatsApp as you find it too hard to concentrate.

Link Nutrition Brain Food contains a blend of brain and mood supportive nutrients. These include B12, B6 and Zinc and high levels of Lions Mane – a medicinal mushroom that helps improve cognitive function and reduces depression.

As well as Bacopa, an Ayurvedic medicinal plant that greatly improves cognitive function through reducing anxiety.

Take two tablets each day with breakfast to get you through the day without eating your way through the whole fridge as you are so fed up.

Charlotte Dormon is not a chef, or even that much of a cook. If it’s recipes you’re looking for – you’re in the wrong place.

But whether it’s Sunday lunch or Friday night cocktails, she’s the one friends and family turn to when they want to know how to eat out and be relatively healthy.

We’ll drink – and eat – to that.