Good Food
type: channel
link: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com
date: 2025-11-27T15:06:32.000Z
update period: hourly
update frequency: 1
update base: 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00
items: 10 wellness influencers on the gifts they’ll be giving this Christmas
items: Five signs you're already experiencing burnout (and how to fix it)
items: Are wellness shots worth the hype?
items: Do you have bad gut health? This tell-tale symptom will show you
items: Living with ADHD: The truth behind diagnosis
items: The filthiest appliances in your kitchen
items: Why is gut health so important? And how to improve yours…
items: What to do now to help prevent SAD this winter
items: Should you be using a nutrition app?
items: 15 foods to boost your brain health, memory and focus

10 wellness influencers on the gifts they’ll be giving this Christmas
type: item
date: 2025-11-27T15:06:32.000Z
creator: Luisa Metcalfe
subject: Guide
subject: Health
subject: Wellness
subject: How to
subject: Christmas gifts
subject: christmas gifts ideas
subject: Christmas presents
subject: goodhealth
description: What do health and fitness experts choose for the people they care about?
encoded: Are you stumped about what to buy your friends and family for Christmas this year? Many of us are keen to give loved ones something different, swapping the usual boxes of chocolates and beauty gift sets for presents with more meaning. And in the midst of the cost of living crisis, giving handmade presents is to be encouraged. We’ve asked health, fitness and wellbeing experts for their favourite Christmas presents to help people feel good, stay active and be well into 2026. The nutritionist Registered nutritionist and author Rhiannon Lambert, whose upcoming book The Fibre Formula is due out in March (rhitrition.com), advises giving a sweet treat with a difference. “For the chocolate lovers in your life, good-quality dark chocolate (around 75% cocoa tends to contain more naturally occurring antioxidants) can make a gorgeous Christmas gift. “As a self-confessed dark chocolate fan, it’s something I always love to receive. Beyond tasting wonderful, darker chocolate varieties contain naturally occurring compounds such as flavanols, which may offer antioxidant benefits and could play a role in supporting heart and brain health.” The wellbeing GP London-based NHS GP Dr Gareth Patterson spreads good gut bacteria along with cheer at Christmas. “Fermentation kits are a fun, approachable way for people to support their gut health,” he says. “Making things like kefir, kimchi or sauerkraut at home sounds complicated, but a simple kit removes the guesswork. It’s a great conversation starter, and once people try it they often keep it up because the results taste good and contain those beneficial live cultures.” He also gives mindfulness or meditation app subscriptions. “It’s a genuinely supportive gift, something that helps people feel calmer day to day without being overwhelming.” The dermatologist Dr Thivi Maruthappu, the UK’s first dual-qualified dermatologist and nutritionist, and author of Skinfood: Your 4-Step Solution to Healthy, Happy Skin (drthivi.com), recommends Dirtea m…

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Five signs you're already experiencing burnout (and how to fix it)
type: item
date: 2025-11-14T13:16:12.000Z
creator: Laura Keyes
subject: Guide
subject: Health
subject: Wellness
subject: How to
subject: goodhealth
description: Think you might be suffering from burnout? Find out the tell tale signs to look out for, and get expert tips on how to combat it
encoded: We are living in trying times. With hustle culture forcing us to work harder than ever, social media piling on the pressure, a constant barrage of information on how to be our healthiest selves and the rising cost of living, it’s no wonder we may be feeling a sense of burnout. We’ll highlight the key signs to be aware of so that you can identify potential burnout. We’ll also offer some tried and tested expert tips on how to deal with it. Burnout is a state of emotional, mental and physical exhaustion brought on by prolonged or repeated stress. Burnout has the potential to affect us all. A recent survey reported that the risk of burnout remains present, with 34% of adults experiencing high/extreme levels of pressure or often/always feeling stressed in the past year. In the USA, a study showed that 66% of employees experienced burnout last year. In the UK, we are also heading towards winter, with reduced daylight and colder weather. Autumn has even been described as ‘burnout season’ as many people feel less motivated and energised. For many end of year deadlines loom, increasing workloads and changing routines, so the autumn and early winter period naturally increases burnout potential. When feeling this way, we can turn to comforting ourselves with sugary and ultra processed foods, but these can unfortunately lead to getting stuck in a cycle of sugar crashes and further cravings. Working on managing these cravings and consciously including more protein with our meals can help us to feel fuller with more stable energy levels. What are the common signs of burnout? Though we are all different in how we respond to chronic stress, there are some key signs to watch out for: Physical signs Exhaustion is a key early sign, general fatigue and ‘running on empty’ when you wake up, sleep difficulties, craving sugary food and ultra processed foods (UPFs), pain such as headaches and musculoskeletal pain, and chronic health issues which can include respiratory and gastrointestinal …

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Are wellness shots worth the hype?
type: item
date: 2025-11-07T14:17:06.000Z
creator: Jo Travers
subject: Guide
subject: Health
subject: Wellness
subject: How to
subject: goodhealth
description: Are these ‘magic potions’ a magic bullet for your health? Or just overpriced juice? Our nutritionist investigates what’s worth your money and what’s not
encoded: Wellness shots might seem like a modern phenomenon, with rows of colourful little bottles now packing out fridges in shops and cafes. But taking tonics and elixirs is nothing new, as Ayurvedic and Chinese herbal medicines show us. Since there have been people, it seems, there have been people wanting to feel better. Finding ways to improve athletic performance, enhance the immune system, give us more energy, reduce anxiety, heighten focus and alertness and generally optimise how we function is something that is important to many of us. But we prefer it to be easy, right? And that’s where modern wellness drinks slot in: quick, convenient and ready-made with the promise of ticking those boxes. There are a few different categories of wellness drinks aimed at different people. Exercisers are targeted with recovery shots; people with gut health issues can try pro- and pre-biotic drinks; for stress and relaxation there are CBD-infused drinks; vitamin shots for immunity; herbal extracts for perimenopause and brain-boosting shots containing adaptogens. But do they actually live up to their promises and, if so, should we all be drinking them? Let’s have a look at the evidence to see if they’re worth the money and – most importantly – are they safe? Recovery drinks There is definitely a lot of evidence that nutrients can help performance and recovery after exercise. Some shots on the market contain caffeine to give an energy kick or beetroot for a source of nitrates, shown to aid blood flow and respiration. Electrolytes can help rehydration and amino acids – such as leucine and isoleucine – can help muscle soreness. Look for these ingredients in your drink, but also be aware that getting the effective dose is important. A lack of regulation in the market means that, unfortunately, there is very little reassurance that these drinks actually contain what they say they do. For example, studies show that, to see an effect on muscle recovery, between 2 and 10g of leucine or isoleu…

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Do you have bad gut health? This tell-tale symptom will show you
type: item
date: 2025-10-20T14:00:37.000Z
creator: Jo Travers
subject: Guide
subject: Health
subject: Wellness
subject: How to
subject: bloating
subject: constipation
subject: Digestion
subject: foods for gut health
subject: goodhealth
subject: gut health
description: Did you know your gut health can affect your immunity, digestion, energy levels, mood and overall well-being? No surprise then that many of us are increasingly fascinated by what makes a ‘healthy’ gut. But how can you tell if yours is ‘healthy’ or not? Could one tell-tale symptom hold the answer…
encoded: A growing body of evidence supports the importance of gut health to our overall wellbeing. This is because what goes on in the gut is linked to many other organs and systems in the body. For example, the gut is in direct contact with the brain (known as the gut-brain axis) and is also an integral part of our immune system. This means our gut is not only responsible for digesting food and absorbing nutrients, it can lead to a host of other symptoms too, from altering our mood to influencing how many colds we get. If you’re feeling bloated, most of the time, then listen up, because your body could be telling you that your gut is not as ‘healthy’ as it could be. This is because regular abdominal bloating can be a sign of too much gas in your system. If you experience regular bloating, say it happens every day from lots of different foods and drinks, it suggests the food you eat isn’t being digested properly, and instead is fermenting in the gut and producing lots of gas. One reason for this is that the balance of bacteria that are known to live in the gut may be less favourable. Remember not all bloating is caused by an unhealthy gut, for example, drinking lots of fizzy drinks can cause bloating, occasionally, as can gulping your food too quickly so it may be helpful to keep a food diary to see how relevant this is for you. Discover more about gut health with the Good Food guide to digestive health, or try some of our gut-friendly recipes and the best probiotic foods. Here's some other ways to tell if your gut might not be as healthy as it could be… 1. You’re suffering excessive wind Everyone passes wind (the average is around 25 times a day), but if you’re finding you have a lot of wind, it’s another sign that excess gas is being produced in the gut. As humans we can’t digest fibre, so we rely on good gut bacteria to digest it for us. If we don’t have the right balance of bacteria in the gut – a condition called dysbiosis – the breakdown of certain foods can be affect…

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Living with ADHD: The truth behind diagnosis
type: item
date: 2025-10-16T10:25:01.000Z
creator: Charlotte Hardie
subject: Guide
subject: Health
subject: Wellness
subject: How to
subject: goodhealth
description: Find out what happens when you and your loved ones are diagnosed with ADHD, tips to help with daily life, plus some 'superpowers' we should be celebrating
encoded: ‘ADHD. Moderately severe’. When I first read the psychiatrist report confirming my son’s diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder three years ago, my stomach lurched. The letters stared aggressively back at me from my screen. I became fixated on the ‘D’ for disorder. No one wants to read that their child has a ‘disorder’ even if you’ve suspected it for years. If I’d known then what I know now, I would have taken the diagnosis in my stride. Since then, two more ‘ADHDers’ have entered my life, along with all the chaotic brilliance these ‘disordered’ beings bring to the party. One is my stepson. The other is me. We need to work out if this is an IQ issue For years, we were called into my son’s primary school to discuss his constant mild disruption in class. By year six, his teacher was fed up with him, but she also lacked any affection towards this kind, charismatic little boy. When she announced he would ‘really struggle at secondary school’, I cried. When she followed it with ‘We need to work out if this is an IQ issue,’ I was speechless. I followed the suggestion to get his IQ assessed but it was a waste of money. I knew there was nothing wrong with his intelligence. Instead, ADHD was flagged. More private assessments ensued. ADHD was confirmed. From there, I witnessed ADHD dominoes. Reading my son’s psychiatry report was like looking at myself. I understood where his brain had come from. Not long after, my teenage stepson met my son. They were matched on energy, social skills, charisma, enthusiastic interrupting, as well as the leftfield thought patterns that lead to an entrepreneurial way of thinking. ADHD has hit the mainstream To anyone concerned about diagnosis for themselves or their children – you are not alone. Somewhere between 2.5 and 3 million people in the UK have it. The surge in diagnoses and prescriptions has been rapid. One BMJ study found that the number on medication has increased hugely in the last five years. Greater awareness has le…

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The filthiest appliances in your kitchen
type: item
date: 2025-09-11T11:49:38.000Z
creator: Pete Wise
subject: Guide
subject: Health
subject: Wellness
subject: How to
subject: goodhealth
description: Here’s where dirt and germs hide in the kitchen – and an appliance expert’s tips on how to tackle each grimy situation.
encoded: We don’t mean this personally, but your kitchen is filthy! Even well-kept households often have build ups of dirt, grease and bacteria – especially in hard-to-reach parts of kitchen appliances and tools you might not think to clean so regularly. Researchers have found that kitchens are among the places in the home which are the most heavily colonised by bacteria, and where we’re likely to be exposed to the broadest diversity of microbes. Despite the presence of these unwelcome guests, only 17 per cent of households polled in one survey claimed to clean their fridge monthly or more often – and the same problem of under-cleaning extends to other appliances. Below are some of the most popular kitchen appliances and their specific vulnerabilities to dirt and germ buildup. We’re here to help, not worry you, so we’ve included expert cleaning tips for each type. What are the worst offenders? The fridge From a microbe’s perspective, your fridge is a vast and varied habitat. From door seals and shelf corners to neglected containers and the food itself, there are all sorts of places for microbial life to flourish. The mix of cool, freezing cold and hot (at the rear) areas throughout these appliances provide ideal living conditions for an assortment of germs. In one study, illness-causing bacteria from the listeria family were found in 15 per cent of homes, and their favourite spot turned out to be the refrigerator meat drawer. If you’re going to prioritise cleaning one part of the fridge, make it this drawer (and remember you must never store other foods in the same compartment). “Mix vinegar and water into a solution and wipe this onto your fridge’s shelves and drawers – this will kill any germs and neutralise any lingering odours,” suggests Isabella Forgione, a small appliances expert at AO. “Wipe this solution onto the door seals too, as dirt and crumbs love to get right into the hidden nooks.” The oven According to research from Beko, cleaning the oven is Britain’s most d…

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Why is gut health so important? And how to improve yours…
type: item
date: 2025-09-07T23:00:11.000Z
creator: Tracey Randell
subject: Guide
subject: Health
subject: Wellness
subject: How to
subject: goodhealth
subject: gut
subject: gut flora
subject: gut friendly
subject: gut health
subject: gut healthy
subject: gut microbes
subject: probiotic
subject: probiotics
description: Registered nutritionist and gut health expert Tracey Randell explains what it really means to have a healthy gut and suggests ten ways to improve yours
encoded: Scientists have discovered that the trillions of bacteria that live in our gastrointestinal tract don’t just process the food we eat. These bacteria help our body to stay healthy and well. But what does it mean to have ‘good gut health’, what does it feel like and what can you do to improve the health of your gut? Read on to learn more. Discover our top tips for digestive health. Also, check out some of our delicious gut-friendly recipes, from satisfying soups and salads to kimchi and kefir, including a whole range of delicious plant-based options. What is the gut microbiome? Your gut is the home to trillions of bacteria, viruses, yeasts and other microorganisms, these are known as your gut microbiota. Emerging research suggests the microbiota, along with its collection of genomes (set of genetic material), together referred to as the microbiome, may well be as influential to your health as your inherited genes. Each of us has a unique microbiome, with the diversity and abundance of the flora influencing our general health. Often, a reduced diversity in gut flora is seen in people with certain conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as well as metabolic disorders like obesity and type 2 diabetes. Everything we eat and drink influences our delicate internal gut ecosystem. How we manage stress, how much or little we exercise, the environment we live in, the medications we take and even our genetics may all have an impact. In turn our gut health influences the following: Immunity – the gut microbiome plays a role in regulating our immune system. Alterations in gut bacteria may lead to autoimmune disorders and raised levels of inflammation. Brain health – the gut microbiome may affect how our brain works. Gut cells and the microbiome produce brain chemicals called neurotransmitters such as serotonin and GABA which may influence your mood. Nutrient absorption – the gut microbiome is crucial for the digestion and utilisation of nutrients. Macronutrients and micr…

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What to do now to help prevent SAD this winter
type: item
date: 2025-09-05T12:29:42.000Z
creator: Vicky Chandler
subject: Guide
subject: Health
subject: Wellness
subject: How to
subject: goodhealth
description: A fifth of us suffer seasonal low mood, and early autumn is the best time to put in place counter measures. Here’s how…
encoded: As the nights draw in and summer begins to feel like a distant memory, it’s common for many of us to feel our mood slightly dip. But for some, this seasonal slump is more than just ‘winter blues’ from saying goodbye to sun-dappled days and long, light evenings. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that follows a predictable yearly pattern, appearing as daylight hours shorten in autumn and winter. Around 1 in 20 people in the UK experience SAD, according to the NHS, with symptoms including persistent low mood, fatigue, oversleeping, cravings for carbohydrates, and a loss of interest in things you normally enjoy. While it can peak in December and January, doctors say the smartest approach is to act now – in early autumn – to help build resilience before symptoms actually appear. “Prevention is always better than cure,” says psychiatrist Ioana Rotaru. “Being prepared as early as possible helps offset some SAD symptoms. Plus, the nature of depression means that we often lose motivation to make changes, and our mind can lead us into a spiral of ‘what’s the point’. Taking preventative action before the symptoms set in can reduce the intensity.” So, what can you do now to support your mood through the darker months? We asked three experts – a psychiatrist, a GP and a nutritionist – to share their best advice. What causes SAD? Scientist don’t yet know the exact cause, but current research highlights a strong link to a lack of sunlight. After all, light is our body’s strongest circadian cue, influencing sleep-wake cycles and hormone production. Less light exposure means more melatonin (the sleep hormone) and less serotonin (the ‘happy hormone’). “Sunlight exposure directly impacts serotonin levels,” adds Rotaru. “Studies show we tend to have higher serotonin on bright, sunny days, regardless of temperature.” There are also behavioural factors at play. “In colder, darker months, people tend to go out less, exercise less and socialise less. That withdrawal…

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Should you be using a nutrition app?
type: item
date: 2025-08-08T09:54:01.000Z
creator: Jo Williams – Registered nutritionist
subject: Health
subject: Wellness
subject: goodhealth
subject: health apps
subject: no additives
subject: Nutrition
subject: technology
description: How useful are scanners that rate your food according to its ingredients? Are they the secret to healthy eating, or leading you down the wrong path?
encoded: The popularisation of apps that scan ingredient lists of foods and warn you of potentially problematic additives are swaying our food choices and changing the way we shop and eat. Apps such as Yuka, EWG’s Healthy Living and PureCheck scan the barcodes of food and cosmetics, and rate them based on health impact. They are regarded as an impartial, transparent voice in an otherwise noisy, confusing area of reading product labels and making purchasing decisions. About 14 million US users check Yuka every day, scanning up to five million products. From this, 85 per cent alter their purchasing habits based on the app’s ratings. This indicates a significant change in purchase decisions. These apps are generally viewed as positive, empowering the shopper and pushing big companies to change their formulations. Across Europe, consumers’ demand for transparency has led to industry changes, with companies streamlining their products in accordance with Yuka’s criteria. However, are these apps accurate in what they tell you? Let’s take a closer look. What the apps tell you Typically, these apps use the camera on your phone to scan the barcode on a product. The product is then identified from a database and given a rating. If using Yuka, the nutritional information, ingredients list and any additives contribute to the overall score between zero and 100 (100 being the best). Artificial and less favourable ingredients are highlighted (such as too much salt or high saturates) and if the product has scored poorly, the app will recommend a healthier alternative with a better score. You can also use Yuka to scan cosmetics – it works in the same way. EWGs Healthy Living app is focused on reducing chemical exposure and includes around 120,000 food, cosmetic and cleaning items. Identifying products via their barcodes, it awards a one to 10 health score based on ingredient hazards. You can browse categories and ingredients. PureCheck is another barcode scanning app for food and cosmetics. I…

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15 foods to boost your brain health, memory and focus
type: item
date: 2025-07-30T13:05:21.000Z
creator: Jo Williams – Registered nutritionist
subject: Guide
subject: Health
subject: Wellness
subject: How to
subject: better memory
subject: brain food
subject: eating for exams
subject: foods to make you clever
subject: goodhealth
subject: improve memory
description: Eating well is good for your mental as well as your physical health. But which foods are important to keep your brain happy, healthy and sharp?
encoded: Whether you want to boost memory or focus, making changes to your diet can help. Although there's no single 'brain food' to protect against age-related disorders like Alzheimer's or dementia, paying attention to what you eat may give you the best chance of optimising your brain health and maintaining a positive outlook. Discover how these everyday foods may help: Optimise brain function and sharpen performance Improve concentration and focus Boost memory Support healthy brain ageing Reduce anxiety and stress Enhance mood Next, find out more about the importance of an anti-inflammatory diet, why Mediterranean diets are so healthy and see our top mood-boosting recipes. 15 foods to support brain health If you want to keep your memory, concentration and focus sharp, it’s best to eat a varied, balanced diet that includes brain-supportive foods. 1. Wholegrains May help improve concentration and focus Like everything else in the body, the brain can’t work without sufficient fuel and its preferred form is glucose. To maintain concentration and focus, you need to ensure a steady supply of glucose from carbohydrates. The best way to do this is eating more wholegrains, as these have a low glycemic index (GI). This means they release a steady supply of energy, helping keep you mentally alert throughout the day. Not eating enough carbohydrates or opting for fast-releasing ones like processed (white) grains and sugary foods may leave you feeling irritable or experiencing brain fog. Choose wholegrain breads, rice and pasta instead of the white, refined versions. 2. Oily fish May promote healthy brain structure and function Essential fatty acids are just that – essential – because they can't be made by the body and we have to get them from the food we eat. The type in found in oily fish are important for a healthy brain, as well as for your heart. Although in early stages, some studies suggest that eating enough good fats may help with depression. Plus, low levels of a specific typ…

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