Shop our New in Food & Drink
More from your favourite brands
Products you might like
FAQs
Eating a healthy and balanced diet is essential for your health and wellbeing.
And fortunately, there are lots of healthy food options to choose from, without compromising on taste.
Healthy but tasty food options include breakfast cereals, superfoods and dried fruit, nuts and seeds.
It is also important that you get a good amount of daily exercise.
The NHS recommends that adults should do at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of intense activity each week.
Gluten is a group of seed storage proteins found in grains such as wheat, barley and rye.
A gluten free diet is one which avoids the consumption of gluten and any foods which contain it.
There are a number of medical conditions associated with gluten including celiac (or coeliac) disease, an autoimmune disease where ingesting gluten can lead to damage to the small intestine.
A gluten-free diet is essential for coeliac sufferers to manage these symptoms and reduce the extent of this damage.
Just because you are following a gluten free diet does not mean that you need to miss out.
You can still enjoy lots of naturally gluten free foods such as fruits and vegetables, beans, seeds, nuts and legumes, and lean meats and fish.
There are also lots of gluten free alternatives available to lots of popular favourites, including noodles, rice and pasta.
The main difference between a vegan and a vegetarian diet is that vegetarians avoid eating meat, whilst vegans avoid all products which are derived from animals.
This includes eggs, honey and dairy products.
A plant-based diet can be healthier than a diet which contains meat and animal products.
Vegan diets tend to be higher in fibre, potassium and magnesium.
However, they can also be low in vitamin B12, iron and calcium and so it is important to ensure that, as a vegan, your meals are planned properly to ensure that you are getting all of your essential nutrients.
You may find that you also need to take a supplement to keep these nutrients topped up.
A vegan diet means that your diet is plant based and so you will need to avoid anything that is produced by animals.
Fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds, breads, rice and pasta are all on the menu.
There are also lots of vegan alternatives to traditional favourite foods.
Choose from dairy-free alternatives to milk such as oat milk or coconut milk, or delicious snacks such jerky or chocolate.
Snacking has got a really bad reputation but it can actually be an important part of a healthy balanced diet.
Snacks can provide energy in the middle of the day, or following on from exercise, and they can help to keep your hunger at bay and help you to avoid overeating when it comes to meal times.
Of course, the important thing is to ensure that you choose healthy food options when it comes to snacking.
Try dried fruit, nuts and seeds for easy snacks that you can pop into your bag or keep in your desk at work.
If you do a lot of exercise or live an active lifestyle, you might want to think about taking in extra protein in your snacks.
Protein bars are a great way to keep your protein levels high, repairing and maintaining your muscles in between workouts.
It is recommended that you drink at least eight glasses of water each day to help maintain the balance of your bodily fluids.
Hot drinks, such as tea and coffee, are mostly made up of water and so can count towards this.
There are lots of different types of tea and coffee to choose from, with lots of different flavours available.
Food and drink is not just the stuff that keeps us alive, it can be what makes us feel alive.
We turn to food for all sorts of reasons that are not just about hunger. Food can make us feel happy, help mend broken hearts and help us to celebrate with friends.
But when we make the wrong food choices, it can also make us feel sluggish, unhealthy and overweight.
It is easy (and wrong!) to think that the food that is good for us is boring, hard work or tasteless.
There are now some incredible options to add into your diet that taste great, work hard for your body and suit vegetarian or vegan lifestyles.
So, listen to your body to identify what you need.
Store cupboard favourites: essential cooking ingredients
Manuka honey
Manuka honey is one ingredient that can be added into your diet easily and can have a massively beneficial effect.
Manuka honey contains methylglyoxal (MGO) which is responsible for its antibacterial properties and can help to sooth sore throats.
It is easy to add a couple of tablespoons of Manuka Lab Manuka Honey to your day by adding it to your tea instead of sugar or putting it on your breakfast. It is fully traceable from hive to home and can be dissolved in a cup of warm water for a sore throat.
Coconut oil
What you cook your food in is can be as important as what you cook. And coconut oil has come to prominence in recent years after being championed by various health food experts.
The Perfectly Pure Extra Virgin Pure Coconut Oil is fantastic for baking, frying and spreading and is composed of saturated fats which can raise good cholesterol.It also tastes great and can bring a sweet and unique flavour to your food.
Gluten free foods
If you are trying to cut gluten out of your food, it can be surprising how frequently it appears. This is commonly found in anything that uses flour, which is an abundant ingredient.
There are now many recipes available that use flaxseed in place of flour to make all of your favourites gluten-free.
Apple cider vinegar
Working apple cider vinegar into your food provides a light, subtle taste and can help provide a source of friendly bacteria for your microbiome.
The Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar is made from apples and contains no fat and very few calories or carbs. You can add it to muffins, avocado on toast or a salad dressing to get a wonderful, healthy boost.
Healthy Snacks
We are all tempted by a spot of snacking, so if you are going to do it, make sure it is something that is good for you.
Crisps and chocolate
If crisps are your downfall then the Abakus Foods Seaweed Crisps are a perfect substitute. Using seaweed harvested from the seas of South Korea and coated with crispy tapioca, these crisps contain no nasties and loads of flavour.
The KIND Peanut Butter & Dark Chocolate Bar is a healthier snack than typical chocolate treats, as it combines a satisfying blend of whole peanuts, honey and chocolate.
For lovers of raw food, give The Raw Chocolate Company Raw Chocolate Stem Ginger a try.
This tantalising stem ginger is coated with dark chocolate to make the perfect snack for everyone, even when you are on the go.
Herbal teas
There is nothing better than taking time out to put your feet up and have a cup of tea.
Making the switch from your typical blend to green tea may have some remarkable benefits depending on how much you consume. This includes supporting fat burning and providing valuable antioxidants.
That means your morning cuppa is now a great way to set you up for the day without the caffeine of coffee.
Eating well is not just about fuelling the body but fuelling the mind too. Making the switch to healthier alternatives can be easier than you think and starting with just a few simple swaps puts you on the right path to a healthier lifestyle.
By identifying foods that is good for both can be the key to a happier, healthier you.