People often tell me they don't need supplements because they claim to be able to get everything they need from their food, REALLY? Judging by these figures I find that quite hard to believe… Click here if you fancy an interesting read…

I have to admit one of the reasons I thought I'd share this article is because of the cool picture of the cow. I've had it on my computer for ages but never felt the need to write anything remotely interesting about cows!

1 Banana
1 dsp of Almond butter (or any nut butter)
150ml of Kara coconut milk (add more or less depending on how thick you like it)
1/2 tsp of cinnamon
Loads of ice!

Next time I'll try adding half an avocado or even some whey protein for some rocket fuel. Let me know what you think!

It's almost the end of January, you've started your new diet and exercise regime but you're standing on the scales asking yourseld “why can’t I lose weight?” According to many doctors, nutritionists and weight loss gurus, if you can’t lose weight then it’s purely down to a lack of willpower or exercise. They say if you’re unable to shift the pounds then don’t blame your metabolism or make excuses such as “it’s my glands” or “I hardly eat anything.” Many health professionals still base weight loss diets and healthy eating plans on calories consumed versus energy expended and while this is logical and in many cases effective there is so much more to metabolism than these simplistic calculations. This may explain why so many ‘off the shelf’ diet plans do not work as a one size fits all approach is extremely limited.

This is a very black and white view of health and nutrition as we are all individuals with unique metabolic patterns and nutritional requirements. We are not all the same and due to our lifestyles, health concerns or familial tendencies our metabolic make-up can differ enormously. This is why your best friend may eat like a horse but only weight eight stone or your sister may simply look at a cream cake and tip the scales! Through regular exercise and healthy eating many people, despite their very best efforts, cannot reach their ideal weight. So what's the solution?

I'll soon be running a weight management group  at Care For Health in Godalming and Maple Leaf Chiropractic in Weybridge. It's cutting edge stuff so if you're worried about your weight you won't want to miss out as places are limited. For more information click here.

Although there's a huge amount of pressure to start that diet, quit smoking or commit to a resolution of some kind, it's not all bad. If you're planning to do something there's no time like the present and January offers the perfect opportunity. There are fewer social engagements, the piggy bank is no doubt short on funds and there's always the gloomy January weather.

I haven't made a single New Year Resolution this year, however I'm using the time to embark on a new eating plan called Metabolic Balance. It's something I offer to my clients and is a individualised four phased nutritional programme for weight management and optimal wellbeing. It was developed by doctors and nutritional scientists to support metabolic and hormonal health. I'll tell you more another time…although if you have any burning questions please drop me a line.

Today I have started day one of phase one, the preparation phase, where my body is being prepared for the dietary changes with light foods and colon cleansing (I won't be sharing the details of my intestinal evacuation!)

Must go as my evening meal of brown rice, yes just brown rice, awaits…Mmmmmmmmmmm!

One of the featured products was Vitamin Water. Owned by Coca Cola it is marketed to adults as a way of bridging the gap between soft drinks and water by providing hydration and vital nutrients they may be missing in their diets. Sounds too good to be true doesn’t it? 

Well it is… Vitamin Water contains 33g of sugar per bottle which is the equivalent of about 8 teaspoons of sugar, that’s almost half the amount you’d find in a regular can of Coke. As far as I’m concerned Sugar Water might be a better name for it as the first two ingredients are water and sugar.

So what’s wrong with drinking fresh, simple and pure water? It’s cheap and it’ll keep you healthy and hydrated. Zing it up a bit with some lemon or lime and try adding mint or cucumber for an interesting twist. Drink about 2 litres a day and you really can’t go wrong…just give the Vitamin Water a miss!