When it comes to food, we usually end up following the USA’s lead even if the trends that make it across the Atlantic aren’t that healthy. Just think McDonalds, Krispy Kreme doughnuts or get-thin-quick diets such as Atkins and South Beach

When it comes to food, we usually end up following the USA’s lead even if the trends that make it across the Atlantic aren’t that healthy. Just think McDonalds, Krispy Kreme doughnuts or get-thin-quick diets such as Atkins and South Beach

are from the Conference variety, and are at their best from October to February.Why? As well as being packed with vitamins A and C, pears are rich in natural sugars, making them a healthy source of quick-release energy. Pears are also a very good source

and they can be hard to resist, but if you give yourself healthy alternatives during the day, you can turn your nose up at the sweets, crisps, muffins, cakes, chocolate and biscuits that seem to hit the spot but leave you with a severe case of buyer's remorse

. But the truth is that the fat in nuts is mostly of the healthy, unsaturated variety, and nuts are therefore a healthy addition to your diet. Chestnuts are low in fat, but plopping them into your fromage frais or yoghurt is not a terribly appealing idea.2

that lycopene has powerful cancer-fighting properties and may also have a role to play in battling heart disease. Of course it's foolish to think that a fruit (and it is a fruit) is a magic pill, but there seems little doubt that a healthy Mediterranean diet

to convince you that you need to supplement your diet to improve performance and stay healthy.The science partThere are 13 main types of vitamins, most of which we obtain from our diet. Most of our vitamin D, however, is produced from exposure to the sun

be at risk of nutritional deficiencies as well as poor physical performance.General healthy-eating guidelines as well as specialist requirements for athletes apply to meat-eaters and vegetarians. You daily aim should be to base your meals and snacks

Vitamin Function(s) Food Sources Claim(s) of Supplements The ScienceA Promotes healthy skin; essential for normal colour vision Vegetables and fruit; butter and margarine; liver and meat; eggs; whole milk and cheese; oily

(calories from food) than you have used up, the excess energy is stored as fat, making weight loss impossible. From what you’ve said, it sounds as though your diet is pretty healthy and well balanced, so just use your willpower to make sure your portion