Posts from May 2009
26th May 2009
Welcome to festive June!
I hope you all enjoyed the long weekend – and the last Bank Holiday until August now, sorry I just had to drop that one in! I had a great weekend; it’s amazing how much difference one extra day makes! I got so much done, even a spot of gardening. My veggies are coming along fine by the way, except for the tomatoes - I think they need a bit more sunshine!
So we are in the last week of May already, doesn’t time fly? But the great news for many of us – myself included – is that we’re now getting in to festival season! I’m going to the Lovebox Festival in London this July, I can’t wait! There are festivals taking place all over the UK in June; let me know whether you have any lined up!
I have to say that last year I was totally unprepared for the festival season – and completely unaware of the effect that all the elements of a festival (ie, lack of sleep; changes in diet; availability – or otherwise! – of decent toilet facilities) could have on my health. However, since working for Yakult I’ve found out that all of these things can play havoc with the digestive system – and therefore overall health. So this year, I’m sticking firmly to my festival survival guide…and I thought I’d share it with you so you can use it too!
- Burgers, sausages, kebabs and all round greasy foods are not going to please your stomach so try to find a healthier option where possible. Fatty foods are not great for your digestive system so why not try a healthy alternative, what about falafel in pitta bread with salad? You may be surprised to discover that there are healthy food options available at most major festivals.
- As you are more than likely to be on the go from one band to another, take some snacks that you can easily fit in your bag such as fruit or cereal bars. Both are great for snacking on throughout the day, and will help eliminate the need for unhealthy snacks such as greasy chips!
- Know your limits with alcohol. Excessive alcohol irritates the stomach, so it can lead to nausea, cramps, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Try alternating alcohol with soft drinks and make sure you set yourself a limit.
- Make sure you take your own tissues, toilet roll, wet wipes and antibacterial hand wash - those regular festival-goers amongst you know the toilet cubicles can be a real breeding ground for germs!
- Help prepare your digestive system for the festival experience by taking a good quality probiotic each day for a couple of weeks before you head off. A number of ‘festival factors’ such as dehydration, inactivity and differences in eating habits can upset the gut flora; by topping up on friendly bacteria you will be supporting good digestive health and therefore your overall natural defences
I hope my tips come back in useful; I would love to hear all about your festival experiences!
Image © Dom F. J. Brown
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19/05/09
Shaping up for summer…
I hope you’ve all been following Hannah’s top tips – and feeling the benefits for your digestive health! I have to say, I used to be one for skipping breakfast but recently I have made sure I wake up that little bit earlier to allow time for breakfast – and I feel so much better for it.
Have you noticed there has been lots of newspaper coverage recently on the many health risks associated with being overweight? Of course, many people know that obesity affects overall health – but did you know that your weight can have a direct effect on your digestive health, too? Being overweight can contribute towards gut conditions such as heartburn, constipation and haemorrhoids – so for a healthy gut, it’s vital to try and maintain a healthy weight.
Exercise has always been something I have built into my weekly routine, but I have increased my sessions at the gym over the past few weeks, due to my summer holidays coming up next week. But it seems like I’m not alone, I’ve noticed a big uplift in gym goers in the last couple of weeks; people are practically fighting for machines at my local gym.
If you would like to find out if you’re within a healthy weight, it’s easy. Simply turn to page 60 of your Inside Out Diet and calculate your BMI (body mass index). A BMI of over 25 usually indicates that you are overweight.
But if you find that your BMI is not looking so healthy, you need not necessarily hit the gym – you could instead just try building a little more exercise into your daily routine. Simple measures such as using stairs instead of lifts and taking a walk during your lunch break really can make a difference – take a look at page 48 of your Inside Out Diet for more top tips on easy exercise – and let me know how you get on!
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