‘Food for Thought’ Women’s Health Week

Women’s Health Week is almost here,(8^th – 14^th May), a week encouraging women from all walks of life, to make choices that are right for them. Sometimes it can be hard to know who to listen to with so much information available about our health.

This Women’s Health Week we are focusing on foods we can eat to help us feel good, and that counteract some of the most common health issues that impact women. So listen to your gut as we share some ‘food for thought’ and simple foods you can add into your diet…

Ginseng

Getting a good night sleep allows your body and mind to rest and repair after a busy day. Your environment, anxiety or levels of exercise can all affect sleep, but also the drinks you consume can too. Drinking a lot of caffeine throughout the day can affect your natural sleep cycle, and while trying to cut down on caffeine is easier said than done, a healthier alternative can be Ginseng Tea.

Ginseng is an herbal extract taken from the ginseng root which has earthy, warming tones when diluted in hot water. It has the same uplifting effects as caffeine by increasing our blood flow and gives you that boost you need, but doesn’t contain any caffeine!

The sunshine vitamin 

Vitamin D is sometimes called the sunshine vitamin because your body makes it from cholesterol when your skin is exposed to sunlight. These nutrients are needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy. Lack of Vitamin D is a very common complaint especially through the winter months, and it can make you feel tired, run down and even suffer muscle pain. Boosting your vitamin D through foods is a great way to top this vitamin up all year round.

Good sources include:

• Oily fish – such as salmon, sardines, herring and mackerel.
• Red meat.
• Yogurt
• Egg yolks.

If fish and red meat aren’t for you, you can also use Vitamin D supplements. Available at most local supermarkets, you can dissolve the tablet in your favourite drink. Getting enough vitamin D also supports your immune system to ward off those nasty winter bugs and summer colds.

Chocolate and bananas

Around 80% of women experience period pain at some stage in their lifetime. You can suffer from period pain from your early teens right up to the menopause. Foods like bananas and dark chocolate are high in potassium, which help reduce bloating and prevent muscle pains. Of course, everything needs to be in moderation, but all high fibre food and fresh fruits and vegetables will help too! This does mean you no longer need an excuse to get your chocolate fix!

Get in your greens

Our skin is our biggest protector, it shields us from extreme temperature, damaging sunlight, and harmful chemicals, so we need to look after it! Dr. Heli Goode, Ragdale Hall’s Specialist in Nutrition and Natural Medicine, says “…diet consisting of sugary foods, highly refined flour products – cakes, pastry, bread, pizza etc.; or too many fizzy drinks, stimulants – like coffee and alcohol, causes an excess in an oily substance called sebum” Sebum is the build-up under the skin that causes us to break out.  She goes on to say “…include fresh carrots, cabbage, avocado and lemons into your daily diet to combat excess oil production and of course drink plenty of water.”

If you have any concerns about changing your diet or lifestyle, it is always good to check with you GP and ask those questions.