Real Foods Blog:

Ultra-processed foods have recently come under the spotlight due to their links with heart disease, high blood pressure, heart attacks and stroke. But what exactly are ultra-processed foods and why are they so bad for us?

Are you vegetarian, vegan, reducetarian, flexitarian, or planetarian? Because of all the hype around new diets that are better for the planet and our health, the team at Real Foods decided that it was time to give the lowdown, so you can determine the best vegetarian diet for you. 

Share a photo of your home baking with your friends, include the hashtag #bakingwithrealfoods and tag us for a chance to win £25 off your next Real Foods order.

Eat your way to good health! The team at Real Foods share their recommendations for the best foods to boost your immunity and well-being for the time ahead.

Due to increasing energy prices and taxes, households across the UK will be feeling the pinch this year. As utility bills and the cost of the weekly shop increase, people will be looking for ways to reduce costs. Here, Real Foods takes a look at some top money-saving cooking tips. Meal planning, cooking from scratch, buying in bulk and eating seasonally can all help to save money, so it's time to reclaim your kitchen and help reduce your costs.

Organic foods and products are becoming increasingly popular with shoppers for a variety of reasons. They are viewed as better for our health, better for the planet and more considerate of animals and wildlife. In fact, the UK’s organic market is now worth an astonishing £3.1 billion. Each day in the UK, shoppers spend almost £8.5 million on organic products, ranging from fresh fruit and veg to
organic drinks and health and beauty items. 

However, some argue that organic foods are too expensive, particularly for households on a budget. And the extra effort required to source them can be quite time consuming. So, is it really worth buying organic foods and products? Let’s take a closer look at the issue. 

Chinese New Year is a time of great celebration when families gather to enjoy delicious food together. From spring rolls and dumplings to longevity noodles, food is a key part of the festivities and various dishes hold special significance. As we usher in the Year of the Dragon in 2024, Real Foods explores some vibrant vegan recipe ideas that honour the rich culinary traditions of Chinese New Year.

Easter is a joyous time of year which coincides with Spring, heralding a time of new life and new beginnings. This Christian holiday is celebrated in many ways around the world, and traditional foods are very much part of the proceedings. Easter eggs, hot cross buns and Simnel cake are just some of the goodies that are enjoyed by all. The good news for anyone following a free-from diet is that traditional Easter recipes can easily be adapted to cater for various dietary restrictions. Whether it’s vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free or nut-free, you can prepare a delectable Easter feast without compromising on flavour or tradition.

Good gut health is fundamental to our overall health and wellbeing. But, according to research, nearly half (43 per cent) of the UK population experience some form of digestive discomfort. This can range from abdominal pain or discomfort to diarrhoea, bloating, flatulence and constipation. 

Symptoms such as these might indicate that the gut isn’t functioning as well as it could. Also, poor gut health can affect other areas of our health from immunity to hormone levels and metabolism. Let’s take a look at why gut health is so vitally important, and what we can do to support the gut through diet and lifestyle changes. 

Batch cooking has grown in popularity in recent years, particularly among busy people who want to eat healthily but are short on time. In fact, according to a survey by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) 63% of adults are regular batch-cookers. The survey respondents stated that it enables them to make savings of around £60 per month on food costs. So, batch cooking helps to save both time and money! And, what’s more, it can help to kickstart a healthier way of living. Let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits behind batch cooking and how to get started.

Seasonal eating is beneficial for our health as well as the health of the planet. Fresh produce that has recently been harvested, and hasn’t had to travel for thousands of miles, is typically fresher, tastier and much more nutritionally dense.

Although fruits do not begin to ripen until the summer in the UK, spring brings with it an abundance of fresh vegetables. By integrating these fresh veggies into daily meals, we are embracing the natural rhythm of the seasons whilst supporting local agriculture and nourishing our bodies.

Inulin is a form of soluble fibre which is found naturally in over 36,000 species of plants. It is a prebiotic, which means that it feeds our good gut bacteria. Inulin cannot be digested by the stomach and small intestine. Instead, it is fermented in the large intestine where it’s converted into short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). SCFA have many health benefits, from supporting gut health to reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Fresh vegetables are the cornerstone of a healthy diet and the spring and summer seasons are a time when they are in abundance. From asparagus to kohlrabi and runner beans to tomatoes, there's a huge variety to choose from. Make sure you eat the rainbow by including plenty of these delicious seasonal fresh vegetables in your diet. And if you need some recipe inspiration, Real Foods has that too!

Organic pulses, both dried and canned, are a fantastic plant-based source of protein and fibre. They are highly nutritious and a great source of vitamins and minerals. Pulses range from chickpeas to beans and lentils and are an incredibly versatile food to cook with. These tasty morsels can be used in a variety of dishes, from soups and salads to curries and stews. But have you ever stopped to think about which is the most cost-effective option: dried versus canned? 

Looking for something new to eat and asking 'How do I cook that?' Here at Real Foods we have a wealth of information available to help you make some small changes to your weekly menus so that you are eating healthier foods.

Have you been wanting to move to a plant-based diet? Perhaps you’d like to give veganism a try but don’t know where to begin? Well, January is the perfect time to dip your toe in the water. This is when the annual Veganuary campaign takes place. Each year, as part Veganuary encourages people to give the vegan diet a try for the 31 days of January. Here at Real Foods we’re keen supporters of Veganuary. We have plenty of tips and handy hints to get you started if you’re planning on trying vegan. But first, let’s take a brief look at the history of veganism and where it all began.

Each year in the UK we munch our way through a whopping 80 million Easter eggs. And it's not just chocolate eggs, but hot cross buns and Simnel cake too. But other countries have their own ways of celebrating Easter, as we will see here. And food plays a big part in the proceedings.

As the song goes, it’s the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas is a joyous celebration when we exchange gifts and enjoy good food with loved ones. Preparing a festive feast can take up a lot of time and energy though. That’s why it can really help to get a head start on your Christmas baking so read on and discover more about some of the well known seasonal staples and more festive food ideas.

Christmas dinner is traditionally associated with roast turkey and all the trimmings. But have you ever considered going plant-based for your festive meal? There are plenty of vegan and vegetarian Christmas recipe ideas which will not only benefit your health but also the environment. Let's take a look at some of the reasons why you should consider a plant-based Christmas feast this year.

At Real Foods we love all things Scottish. We want to support local brands by selling products that are made right here in Scotland. We know that many of our customers are keen for us to do this too.

Here we share with you some history and philosophy from behind some of our best loved Scottish brands.

Christmas is the time of year when families, and dietary requirements, come together. It can be difficult to accommodate everyone’s needs, especially when it comes to the most important part of the meal (for me, anyway), pudding! These are four of my favourite vegan and gluten-free dessert and sweet snack options, which all make a wonderful Christmas pudding alternative. They can all be made ahead, which saves work on the big day, and they’re all crowd pleasers.

Valentine’s day is sure to be a bust for many of us. How can those who are tired of seeing their loving partners face day in and day out spice things up? The answer is natural aphrodisiacs!

Whether you opt for traditional lemon and sugar, or a more savoury topping, many of us will be celebrating Pancake Day, also known as Shrove Tuesday, this February. But have you ever stopped to wonder why we celebrate this tasty tradition? 

You have probably heard a lot about COP26, which is being held in our neighbouring city of Glasgow. Whilst the headlines are compelling, what does it all really mean?

Check out this blog post for new products we've got in that you may not know about!

Love it or loathe it the Edinburgh Festival will soon be upon us along with the many thousands of visitors from all around the globe. Real Foods has been in Edinburgh for 45 of the 62 years the festival has been running and we want to share with you our ideas on enjoying the festival season.

This year we celebrate 40 years of our Tollcross store. Opened 5 years after our Broughton Street store, and 7 years after our original store on Morrison Street, the Tollcross store bought wholefoods to the Meadows and beyond!

Get ready to transform your kitchen oops into culinary oohs with our holiday special! Whether your treats come out too tough, too burnt, or too bizarre, we've got jolly fixes to turn disaster into delight this holiday season.

Valentine’s Day is the most romantic day of the year when love is most definitely in the air. On 14th February people in the UK send over 25 million Valentine’s cards to their sweethearts. But why do we celebrate this date and what is the significance of sending Valentine’s cards?

Eating well on a tight budget can be tricky, but here’s our hints and tips for making your cash stretch a little further while still getting tasty, healthy food. 

Includes information about blogs, budgeting, sprouting and bulk buying along with links to great recipes and special offers.

As Hippocrates’ said, “all disease begins in the gut”. Despite this, ten years ago most people would never have thought that the gut had so much influence over our day to day wellbeing. Given the explosion in research surrounding this fascinating system, it’s no wonder that interest in getting a healthy gut has grown. A complex subject, you may find yourself wondering how can you improve your gut health.

Sleep is absolutely crucial for good health, yet many of us struggle to get enough rest. Whether it’s difficulty getting off to sleep, or waking up in the night, a lack of good quality repose can leave us feeling exhausted the next day. In fact, sleep deficiency has been associated with chronic health problems such as high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, obesity and depression.

If you’ve always wondered about fermented foods and the potential of making your own, we are here to let you know that not only do fermented foods provide many health benefits, but with a little experimentation you can make them easily at home too!

Organic wines are delicious, but have other important qualities too. Read on to discover the difference between biodynamic, vegetarian, vegan and low/no sulphur organic wines.

Did you know almonds have one of the highest levels of protein content of any nut? If you want to know more about this very popular relative of the peach and true who of the who's in the wholefoods world, read on!

All the flavour without the shells, sunflower seed kernels are a powerhouse of nutrition and you're much mistaken if you thought they were just the preserve of parrots. Read on and find out why this little seed earns it's big place in the who's who of wholefoods.

Chickpeas are a creamy-colored, buttery legume also known by several other names, including Bengal gram, garbanzo bean and Egyptian pea. Find out why this humble pale-coloured pulse makes it into our who's who of wholefoods.

There's a Turkish proverb "bundan iyisi Sam'da kayisi" which translates roughly as "the only thing better than this is an apricot from Damascus", meaning, it doesn't get any better than this. If you'd like to know why there's nothing better than an apricot, read on to find out why this wholefood makes our who's who.

Have you ever wondered what all the fuss is about where chia seeds are concerned? As one of the most nutrient dense and versatile wholefoods, chia seeds are definitely a who's who in the world of wholefoods. Read on to find out more.

A very rich supply of manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, and copper, as well as a good source of iron, zinc, and copper, pumpkin seeds are certainly a good wholefood to include in your diet. Read on to find out more about this wholesome who's who of the wholefood world.

For decades the Real Foods family has been advocating the benefits of plant-based living. Now there is more and more evidence that we would all be better for making our meals plant-based. Not only would we and our families be healthier, but we would be doing the planet a favour as well, helping to preserve our wonderful world for future generations.

Most of us have experienced some degree of stress and anxiety in recent years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. And with the UK now facing a cost of living crisis, there is plenty to feel anxious about. Stress is a natural thing to experience and can even help to focus our minds and make us more productive. But uncontrolled stress and anxiety can have a debilitating effect on the body. Here, Real Foods takes a look at why healthy eating can be good for mental health.

The bacteria in our gut can have a profound affect on our general health and sense of well being. Have a read on our brief post about gut bacteria and gut dysbiosis.

Living as a vegan means avoiding the use of animals for food or any other purpose. There are lots of reasons that people may choose to follow a vegan diet, including respecting animals, reducing their impact on the environment and wanting to have a healthy and nutritious diet. Read on if you'd like to find out more about how we can help you find the products you need to follow a vegan diet.

Embracing the Blue Zone lifestyle can transform your approach to health and longevity. Imagine living in a world where reaching the age of 100 isn't just possible but common. This isn't a fantasy; it's a reality in the Blue Zones, regions known for their exceptional longevity and vitality. Whether it’s the sunny beaches of Okinawa, Japan, or the peaceful hills of Sardinia, Italy, these spots are like hidden treasure maps to living a long and vibrant life.

Coeliac disease is a serious autoimmune condition which affects 1 in 100 people in the UK. When individuals with coeliac disease consume gluten (a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye) their immune system launches an attack on its own tissues. This leads to damage to the small intestine and, as a result, nutrients from food cannot be properly absorbed.

Pulses are brilliant sources of protein, (meaning they are of particular use to people who don’t eat meat, fish or dairy), they’re also great for extending meals, throw in a handful to casseroles, stews and soups to provide extra nutrients and stretch the meal further. Pulses are also excellent sources of iron, starch and fibre in your diet. They are cheap, low fat and extremely tasty! Here’s our guide to our range of pulses and ways of getting the most out of them.

There’s a huge range of great grains, so don’t limit yourself to some bland white rice when you could try spiced quinoa or bulgur, perk up soups and stews with lentils and rye grains, or try all of the popping grains (it’s not just corn that pops!)

Includes links to all of our How Do I Cook guides, so you need never again be baffled at what to do with Bulgur, alarmed at Amaranth or worried over Wehani Rice...

“A grain, which in England is generally given to horses, but in Scotland appears to support the people.” Samuel Johnson.

An oft quoted remark from a 1755 dictionary which invariably gets the response “that’s why England has good horses, and Scotland - good people!”.

Jokes aside, oats are highly nutritious, survive in hardy conditions (that’s why many of ours are locally grown) and can be used in a huge array of recipes. Here’s our guide to what the different oats are and answers to commonly asked questions, “are they Raw?”, “are they Gluten Free?” and “what’s a bannock?”…

You probably already eat fermented foods in your diet. Chocolate, coffee, vanilla, some teas, pickles, vinegar, cheese and yoghurt are all fermented foods. Then there’s alcohol, sauerkraut, kombucha, sourdough and kefir, again all fermented!

Here's our guide to buying them and making your own!

This article answers a few commonly asked questions such as - What is protein and why do we need it? How much do we need? and what are good sources of non-meat protein?

We've been asked quite frequently about turmeric. What's the curcumin content of the turmeric we sell, what is fresh turmeric used for and whether curcumin supplements have the same benefits as turmeric ones are just a few of the regularly asked questions. Here's all of our answers rounded up in a handy guide to the spice known in India as 'holy powder'. We've also a guide to making your own turmeric and castor oil pack to cleanse and rebalance the liver and gallbladder areas, popular with followers of Ayurvedic medicine.

Most of the synthetic sugars are difficult for the body to process and eliminate, so they often get stored as fat. Sugar alternatives can be bought here and syrups are available also. Natural sugar alternatives in the article include: agave nectar, brown rice syrup, local honey, maple syrup, stevia and xylitol. 

We know there’s lot of great health and environmental reasons to have a vegan diet, but what about choosing vegan foods purely for the delicious treats or exciting new ingredients? Not convinced?

Read on for our treasure trove of vegan goodies…

This is a guide to the various ingredients in muesli and advice on how to create the perfect version of bircher muesli for yourself.

Real Foods' mueslis can be found here in our webshop and a huge variety of dairy free milks can be found here.

Superfoods have been receiving a lot of attention lately, thanks to the recent Channel 4 series, Superfoods: The Real Story.

A whole host of new natural health heroes are coming to the fore, from Moroccan argan oil to Ethiopian teff. Here's a link to our Superfoods shop or read on for a quick guide to our favourites...

A review of the Allergy Solution by Dr Leo Galland, including a summary of the main points and links to the products suggested in the book.

There are certain milestones in a woman’s life. The menopause is a time when we reflect on our life to date. For some women, however, these hormonal changes can be a difficult time of mood swings, hot flushes and insomnia, and menopause signs can last several years. With a little attention, you can treat the symptoms of the menopause naturally, and the team at Real Foods are here to help out.

A quick introduction to Pukka, purveyors of fine herbal teas and supplements. Find their products here in our webshop

One of our long term favourites here at Real Foods. Clearspring were set up in 1993 and provide organic and premium quality Japanese and European foods skilfully prepared by artisan and professional producers.

Easter, eggsactly what is it all about...

Amaranth is an ancient plant, around 8,000 years old, and was once a staple of the Aztec and Inca diet. Amaranth seeds, used as a grain, are gluten-free and a good source of protein, fibre, calcium, iron, magnesium and vitamin C.  They have a mild, nutty flavour. 

Kamut is the registered trademark under which khorasan wheat is sold. 

All grain grown under the Kamut trademark is certified organic, containing between 12-18% protein and high in the mineral selenium, which plays a role in the functioning of the thyroid gland.

Kamut contains gluten so is not suitable for coeliacs, however some with allergies to common wheat may find they can tolerate it. It has a rich, buttery flavour.

Happy New Year from all at Real Foods! Often after the inevitable excesses of the festive season, we are tempted to hurl ourselves in the opposite direction, towards the utmost healthiness and efficiency. We think there's a healthier, and more realistic balance, for this slightly sluggish, bleak time of year. So here we have some items to help ease you into 2019 without the extremes.

A guide to managing sulphite sensitivity including the foods to avoid and which to actively seek out. There can be a lot of confusion over the differences between sulphites, sulphates, sulfur and sulfa. Here's a quick and easy guide to understanding the different terms and what they actually do...

Run out of eggs and need a quick solution from your store cupboard? Perhaps you're vegan and would like to know a few substitutions for binding, leavening or adding moisture to recipes. Here's our list of alternatives with a handy infographic or try one of these ready-made egg replacers in our webshop.

Fancy some sneaky tricks to get yourself eating healthily?

Baking – bestsellers, hard to find ingredients and upcoming trends.

How sulphur dioxide (also known as SO2 or sulfur dioxide) is used in food preservation. It is sometimes used as a preservative for dried apricots and other dried fruits owing to its antimicrobial properties. Products containing it are clearly labelled.

What’s the difference between cacao and cocoa? What's a single origin bar? What is dutched cocoa? All our commonly asked questions answered about chocolate and cacao are answered...

On your marks… get set… Bake!

Bake Off is back on Wednesday night telly on BBC1 and we’re ready for the Bake Off related questions and queries…

 What is a veggan or an ovo lacto vegetarian? Or for that matter a pescetarian?

Coconuts, what’s all the fuss about? In spite of 'nut' being in the name, coconuts are in fact the fruit of the coconut tree

Apples originated in Central Asia but have been cultivated through Europe for thousands of years. Helping to balance blood sugar levels, strengthen your bones and lower cholesterol, they're also used in desserts and baking.

An introduction to Bergamot from Real Foods

A recent study which looked at more than 65 000 randomly selected people for the Health Survey for England has shown that the protective effects on health of eating fruit and vegetables rise the more portions you eat. At 7 or more portions a day your risk factors for death from any cause drop by 33%.

This article looks at a range of diets and their impacts on your health.

A guide on what to eat, why to eat it and links to some of our brilliant new products...

Meet the ingredients that will give your diet a super boost...

Guide to guilt free noodles and rice. The konjac plant from Japan is used for a range of pasta, noodle and rice products, all low in calories and high in soluble fibre.

Almond milk is one of the tastiest and nutritionally rich non-dairy milks. It is also very easy to make so why not try creating your own raw almond milk (you will need a muslin bag or a nut milk bag).

Follow the working week through with independent blogger Ruth Jackson and Real Foods recipe mueslis...

There's little doubt that 2018 has been the year of the vegan. But with the sway to a vegan lifestyle only set to become more popular, is it a healthy and sustainable lifestyle choice?

An article on promoting and maintaining good gut health, including diet suggestions and a look at a low FODMAP diet. Includes advice on probiotics, both supplements and naturally probiotic and fermented foods. A quick look at prebiotics and ways of reducing inflammation and stressors.

The citrus family is also known as the rue family, it's official name is Rutaceae, buy them here. Find out all about these fruits amazing properties and some tips on how to use them...

Have you recently discovered a gluten intolerance? Real Foods is here to make your transition to a gluten-free diet as easy as gluten-free pie. We stock so many alternatives to your usual favourites, there's no need to go without. Here's a shopping list to get you started, with a day-full of delicious gluten-free foods, available in-store or online. 

An article highlighting the benefits of taking coconut water

A guide to the most common allergies and intolerances, a few alternate food ideas and some links to recipes that ANYONE can eat!

Give your child a head start with a healthy lunch - use these tips from Real Foods

Trust in what food labels say is under attack with all the horror stories in the media. We want to tell you why you can trust our Real Food Organic range.

Gift vouchers for sale on line and in our shops

All About the Cabbage (brassica) from Real Foods

Make a beeline for some excellent honey from this very well established local producer from East Lothian

A quick history of Pancake Day (Shrove Tuesday), some great free-from recipes and the best topping ideas we've come across

If you follow a raw food diet or are simply looking for ways to eat more raw foods, we have everything you need - from a huge selection of fresh organic fruit and vegetables to convenient raw food alternatives to your usual snacks. All available in our Raw Food online shop.

Here at Real Foods we are firmly anti-GM, so it is with concern that we learn GM fodder is back on the menu...

Looking for gluten-free foods you can trust?

We stock a wide range of products to make free-from diets easy and our newest range, from Bob's Red Mill, has been flying off our shelves of late. 

Have a go at winning some great prizes at Real Foods, and in the ubiquitous style of Jim B, 'Take a look at what you could win' P.S. no naff plastic figurine for losers here!

Introducing Solgar - our 'Meet the Producer' for September.

This month our producer is Greenscents, a brand behind which are Peter and Christina Hawkes, who started with a passion to provide a more ethical range of household cleaning options and have succeeded in bringing the very comprehensive and environmentally friendly Greenscents range of household cleaning products to the market.

Meet Breadshare, our Producer of the Month. Breadshare are a community interest company located in Portobello, Edinburgh, they were originally started in 2012 at Whitmuir Farm in Lamancha (around 16 miles from central Edinburgh) .  Their mission is to serve and involve the community by making excellent bread using organic ingredients and distinctive local products, helping to create a more sustainable and health-enhancing food system.

Almighty Foods was founded in 2015 by health advocates Josh and Molly. It was created with the intentions to help nurture the earth and its inhabitants. This means that they not only provide organic, nutrient-dense foods, but also support ethical and organic farming practices. These practices protect the natural habitats of which our food and medicines are grown.

As fresh as Spring Time – put colourful clothes on, pick up green vegetables and catch the early sunshine. Hopefully you'll start feeling lighter and brighter! Here are a few more ways to get some spring back in your step with a new Real Food’s Newsletter...

So you can be confident about what you will find in our organic goods, we are licensed by the Soil Association, the UK's leading food and farming charity and organic certification body.

While the hype for keto diets is in full flow and more people are looking to protein as a primary nutrient, there is one major area of nutrition that is continually overlooked: fibre. The team at Real Foods, Scotland’s largest independent retailer, shares the importance of fibre, and why fibre rich foods are the magic component in your diet.

Wheat free, gluten free and organic, Teff Flour is in stock and being snatched up by customers - here's why...

Take an opportunity to try a new product at half the usual price and grab our half price daily Manager's Specials when you visit either of our Edinburgh shops.

Real Foods really is the oasis you've been looking for when it comes to healthy refreshment during the Festival period.

February is a difficult time for many. The New Year promises left us literally dry, and there’s still a good few months left before we can really start to look forward to the joys of Spring.

We thought we would turn February 2017 on its head by having a bit of a freebee frenzy to give you our customers something to look forward to and to break up the very large chunk of winter woes left facing us all.

Read this article to find out more about how you can get your hands on some fantastic free products in Real Foods Edinburgh stores throughout February.

 Chocolate can indeed be good for you, and especially if it's raw.

Real Foods has its roots in organic fruit and vegetables, beginning with a market stall selling organic produce almost 50 years ago.

Fresh, seasonal, organic fruit and veg are still at the core of our business, and we keep prices affordable so everyone can enjoy quality organic produce without breaking the bank.

Each year around 41,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. Research continues to make breakthroughs in treatment and diagnosis and the death rates are falling which is good news, the even better news is that you can make small dietary changes to improve your prostate health.

Take our Healthy Eating Quiz to find out how well you are doing - and get some tips too.

Read about why many people are turning to organic skin care products

A brief introduction to Fair Trade, its background and some of the more unusual products available

Visit our Edinburgh shops early in the day for 10% off your full price shopping

OptiBac Probiotics' range consists of twelve different supplements containing live cultures - all natural, and with no added colourings, flavours or preservatives. The range includes supplements suitable for infants, pregnant & breastfeeding mothers, for vegetarians, vegans, coeliacs, and for those who are lactose intolerant.

Stoats are passionate about ‘all things porridge’. They take great pride in sourcing premium Scottish oats and working on different blends to give the best texture to their range. They use unrefined, wholesome ingredients to create delicious snacks, pots and bars. 

Meet our producer of the month in August 2016 - Roots Soda Co, a local business providing sodas packed with fruits and vegetables and using minimal levels of cane sugar...  You can find their products here in our webshop

Summer sunshine is lovely – unless hay fever has you sneezing and itching. The good news? Natural products can help ease symptoms and support your health too.

Berries have been eaten in Britain for centuries, find out more about them

Traditionally held on or around the 25th January (Robert Burns' birthday) - this year it's Wednesday 25th January 2017. Here's a quick guide to the poet, the traditional food and the toasts and poems that accompany it.

Some great ideas for picnic food this summer

What do we need after months of darkness and warming meals made from squirrelled-away stores? Oodles of fresh, organic fruit. 

Meet Irene, one of our loyal customers, and hear what she has to say...

A few cheap and cheerful ideas to entertain the kids in the holidays, including how to make a CD Hovercraft, papier-mache, ideas for picnics and painting and links to some interesting sites for kids.

A guide to the ChufaMix, what it is, how to use it and some great recipe ideas

Don’t be stumped for what to put on the table, whilst the change of seasons can often catch people out, we’ve selected 5 simple and satisfying recipes that’ll be both healthy and hearty to give you a head -start in the transition from a Summer menu to Autumn and Winter feasts.

Grab a bargain  Take a look at our special offers and promotions

Real Foods answer to the question that apparently stumped a multinational supermarket giant

Meet Ben, one of our managers at Real Foods

Tips on smoothies, juicing and our favourite recipes to revitalise your day, plus an infographic on how to add protein to your smoothies and invent new protein shakes...

Find out what Jenny has to say about Real Foods...

It’s Summer and so far we have already had some fantastic, warm, sunny weather so let’s all get outside, enjoy the sun and top up the vitamin D levels.

Ideas for stocking fillers, including nuts, fruit and chocolate. Want to decorate a gingerbread house? Or track down chocolate coins? Here's our guide...

Here at Real Foods we believe freshness is key, that’s why we’re passionate about the fresh, organic produce we sell. Top up your 5-a-day with our guide to super nutritious organic fruits and vegetables… 

CBD oil has become a global phenomenon and is being touted by the British media as a miracle medicine to cure all ails. According to The Cannabis Trades Association UK, the number of British people using CBD oil doubled in 2017 to a whopping quarter of a million. But what is CBD oil?  Is it really that effective and is it legal? As Scotland’s largest independent retailer, the Real Foods team, answers these frequently asked questions.

Willie’s Delectable Cacao Grating Blocks & Chocolate Bars range are available in both our Edinburgh branches and the full range is available in our Chocolate shop here. The blocks are great for adding an unrivalled depth of flavour to cooking, while the bars are simply delicious.

If you’ve ever wanted to include something different to your usual, traditional Christmas dishes you don’t need to travel around the world to do it – now you can be inspired without even leaving your kitchen!  There are great recipes to discover, but if the feeling of organising a completely different Christmas seems a little too overwhelming, you can just try some of our favourite baking specials without turning your Christmas entire plan upside-down. Ready for a trip?

One of our long term favourites here at Real Foods. Clearspring were set up in 1993 and provide organic and premium quality Japanese and European foods skilfully prepared by artisan and professional producers.

Real Foods regularly runs fun and informative events and here we have listed all past and future events. If you would like any further information on events at Real Foods, please email [email protected] .  If anyone is interested in hosting or running a collaborative event with Real Foods, please do contact us.

It takes a great deal of hard work and dedication to be an organic supplier, so when it comes to finding a good local organic and free-range egg,  it's not quite so easy, you must have heard the expression 'rare as hens teeth'. So can you imagine our joy when we discovered the lovely folk at Over Langshaw Farm, who not only produce free-range organic eggs for us, they also make their own very delicious luxury ice-cream which you'll be able to try for yourself in both our Edinburgh stores in June.

Kwan’s Kitchen have been running Chinese restaurants in the Scottish Borders for over 35 years using traditional family recipes, They’ve now branched out to create restaurant quality foods, using authentic and easy to use Chinese ingredients, without artificial additives and suitable for vegetarians. Find their products here in our online webshop.

Chain Bridge Honey Farm produce beautiful honeycombs, delicious honey and are a fount of information on bees! 

https://www.realfoods.co.uk/shop?search=Equal%20ExchangeThe origins of Equal Exchange stretch back to 1979 when three voluntary workers returned to Edinburgh after working on aid projects in various parts of Africa. Along with a sister organisation in London, Campaign Co-op, they started buying instant coffee from Bukoba on Lake Victoria in Tanzania. As a result Campaign Coffee was born.

Have you been thinking about including seaweed in your diet, but you are not sure about which type or how to prepare it? Read about this month's spotlighted producer: Mara Seaweed.

Ever heard of fruit cheese? Find out all about it and our local producer - Pickled in Scotland.

Meet The Raw Chocolate Company, our producer of the month. All of their products are vegan, most are Fairtrade and Organic and their factory is renewably powered.

Based just up the road from us in Real Foods, eteaket have been shaking up the world of tea with fresh ideas, amazingly high quality teas and an innovative approach to tea inspired delights. 

This February, Real Foods is happy to introduce a new addition to our range of olives. MANI takes their name from the Mani Peninsula in Greece where their business is based.

Mungoswells are based just north of Haddington near Edinburgh. Their products are made from crops grown, harvested, milled and packaged all within 5 miles, resulting in quality local produce with unrivalled traceability.

Now that we are into the beginning of May we will be turning our attention to a current supplier who is launching several new and really interesting products at Real Foods. Find Provamel's exciting range of dairy free drinks and yoghurts here

With the month of April usually comes rain, daffodils, and here at Real Foods, jam!

In order to brighten up everyone’s Spring a bit, this month’s Meet the Producer spotlight is turned to local Edinburgh social enterprise, Tiphereth and their ‘In a Jar’ line of organic jams and marmalades.

You can find their Jams and Marmalade here in our webshop or if you're in Edinburgh, pop into one of their tastings...

Find out more about Real Foods' March Meet the Producer: Plant 'n' Grow

The subject of our March Meet the Producer is 'Pudology' and the woman behind that concept, Lucy Wager. Visit our stores this month for a chance to sample Lucy's delightful range of dairy-free desserts and follow our Facebook page for an indepth look at the products, and for a chance to win some of these delicious sweet treats for yourself.

In February, our Meet the Producer event will feature local father-of-four Darren Mollan, founder of Chilli Papas. Chilli Papas spice mixes make child's play of cooking Mexican fare and tasty curries. The mixes are fat-free, gluten-free and vegan and use an oil free cooking method. In this article Darren gives you his account of how it all began...

It’s organic September, so we thought we should meet the producer of ALL of our organic produce…. Mother Nature!

Meet the Producer Plan Bee. Find their products here in our webshop.

A quick guide to Real Foods' bitter apricot kernels including the conumption warning.

St Andrew's Day is basically an excuse to indulge in all things Scottish. Frankly if it's named after St Andrew it's likely to have some sort of celebration going on this week! Here's a quick guide to the festival and its food...

A guide to all the Christmas Baking recipes, ideas and tricks. 

From starting your Christmas Pudding early, to making desserts that can be stored in advance, we've got some great gift ideas and suggestions to make the festive period a joyous one.

Have a look at the Stollen recipe from Pam Reichhartinger-Lawlor, who writes the blog thebreadshebakes, or our best tips for a tasty Christmas cake.

Get ready for a celebration! On 7th September we'll be marking 50 years of natural, healthy, ethical shopping. 

You may not have realised but Real Foods has been serving it's customers for over 50 years. Here's a potted history of our business since trading began back in good old 1963.

Did you know that most of our own brand products are packed in cellulose which is plant-based and 100% biodegradable? If you'd like to know more about our product packaging, read on.

There's been a lot of talk recently about how to recycle, refuse, re-use and otherwise reduce our consumption of plastic. Here at Real Foods, we sell loose fresh fruit and vegetables, bulk and wholesale goods and provide packed down sizes of a huge array of dried goods. We use cellulose bags for the majority of our prepacks and are happy to have you bring your own containers into the store for refills. Read on for our guide to Plastic Free living...

Some ideas to keep your energy levels high and your diet healthy

Introducing Pomegranate...

A brief history of the Date and an infographic we've created to help you see just how amazing they truly are...

This is a guide to the Allergen labelling policy at Real Foods, the legislation regarding  labelling and how to ensure you are buying the right product for your diet.

Confused about fibre? You’re not alone.

Many people know it is important, but not much more than that.

All about the Passionfruit. Where I'm from, what I do and how to spot a good one.

Have you been in the dark when it comes to edible mushrooms? With this infosheet we aim to bring a little enlightenment on the subject of edible funghi, their origins, the nutritional benefits and their medicinal properties which contributed to their addition to our diet in the first place.

Everything you wanted to know about edible mushrooms and their spores from your Agaricus bisporus (‘Champignon’) through to your Volvariella volvacea (‘Paddy Straw’).

Find Dried or Fresh Mushrooms in our webshop.

In this two-hour class at Real Foods Tollcross Branch, Kate will be cramming in as much as she can of the Raw Magic philosophy. What are the best raw foods to include and which are the best to avoid.

Spring Clean your larder! Fitness expert Tracy Griffen is giving personal advice on what to choose for good health. Tickets are limited so buy now

Passionate about chocolate? This Valentine’s Day indulge yourself (why not?) or another with a beautiful hand-painted box of vegan, gluten-free and organic chocolate truffles. Simply ‘like’ our Facebook page [link] then PM us with ‘I’m passionate about Real Foods’ before 14 February.

It all began with a passion for fresh organic produce at a time when there was a growing consciousness of the nutritional and environmental impact of pesticides... Now with an online store delivering worldwide, shopping for real food has never been easier.

It’s the time of year when all we want to do is hunker down in front of the fire with a cup of hot chocolate. We want to stay warm and we want to keep our families warm and healthy through the winter months. One great way to help all the family stay fit and well through the winter is to feed them well with warm and nourishing food cooked from scratch. (It’s also a great way to save money after the Christmas extravaganza.) 

Autumn is upon us and winter is coming with its crispy cold mornings and earlier evenings. Now we can finally start the countdown to Christmas!

Our Edinburgh stores have been providing for all your baking needs for over 40 years now and we’ve been supplying baking ingredients for more than half a century. Have a look at our huge range of baking ingredients here. Read about some of the baking trends from the last 50 years in this article

Many everyday items contain plastic such as sanitary products, toothbrushes, vegetable/food wrap and bags, bin bags and animal waste bags. In many cases, there are now alternatives available for these products. The products below are not all strictly Plastic Free, some may use recycled plastics, however, they are the best sustainable alternatives available on the market today.

Too early to start thinking about Christmas? Maybe, but it’s not too early to stock up on the high quality organic Christmas baking ingredients we’ve been providing for over 40 years now.

Supernature Cold-pressed Oils are produced by Lynn and Chris Mann on Carrington Barns Farm in Midlothian. They supply Real Foods with their top quality Scottish rapeseed oil so we thought you might like to read a little more about them. 

Try our simple Super Summer Shake for feeling sustained with oodles of slow-releasing energy...

Latest research suggests that we all need to include at least 7 portions of fruit and veg in our diet everyday, 5 of which should preferably be vegetables. 19th–25th May is National Vegetarian Week, an ideal time to try eating more meals with fresh vegetables at their heart.

Real Foods new gift bag option in the webshop

A guide to help you pick the right colours for your shade of hair, strand and sensitivity tests you'll need to do if you're using Naturtint for the first time and a couple of answers to frequently asekd questions.

On Friday 19^th of February Real Foods hosted the Kate Magic Raw Food event.

Here's what Independent reviewer and food blogger, Kristina Robb, has to say about the new inSpiral Raspberry Maca Kale Chips...

To shop the full range of Inspiral products available at Real Foods click here

A little information on drinks and fats in our food

Want to swap to healthier snacks? Try our simple suggestions.

Read our tips on what to choose for a healthy breakfast.

Click here for your A-Z list of all the Fairtrade products available in our Edinburgh shops

Meet Darragh, a member of our web packing team since October 2013 and local food enthusiast!

A simple and delicious dairy/sugar-free sweet treat for your sweetheart

More and more people are discovering that they react unfavourably to many of the common ingredients found in supermarket foods, household and beauty products. Reactions can vary from simply feeling tired and lethargic to other much more major health issues. Here at Real Foods we have been helping people fight food allergies and intolerance with direct action for almost 55 years...

At this time of year there is so much more choice when it comes to fresh organic fruit and vegetables that it makes sense to eat even more of them. Save your arms by ordering your fruit and veg online and have your order delivered to your door.

Here are 5 simple steps to help you stay on track with your new year changes

What counts towards your 5 a day?

Some of the great new products we've sourced recently.

Tips on eating well to reduce eczema

Want to up your game in health and fitness? Many of us have been inspired by the 2012 Olympic Games to increase our fitness levels.

We have two tasty new products by Stoats for you to try, which have been developed by sports nutritionists and tested on athletes to help you reach peak performance.

10 reasons why you SHOULD be eating chocolate

An introduction to Lavender, a little of its history and its more contemporary uses

A quick guide to what's in season for the next few months, with some links to easy recipes and a few of the products we have available in our webshop. That's right you can even buy your vegetables online now!

Every day science is discovering more about the amazing health properties and benefits of superfoods around the globe. Read on to find out how what some of their health properties are and how you can add them into your diet.

This is the Real Foods guide to some Gluten Free Greats. There is a growing range of interesting products suitable for coeliacs and people with gluten intolerance, so we've rounded up some of the most popular products and a couple of newly introduced ones to show you that going Gluten Free really can be great!

Need to spring clean your house? Even if it 's Autumn, Winter or Summer? Here's all our tips on cleaning naturally, organically and ecologically without breaking the bank economically...

Keep your energy levels up the healthy way this summer with this refreshing and invigorating super food juice

Every parent wants a healthy child who eats well and learns to love good food; everyone else just likes free food and a willing worker! Turn your child into one of the most popular people this autumn and give some goodies to friends and family…

A look at what to eat to keep your eyes looking good

6 steps that may help you manage your migraines

Dietary tips for easing your passage through the menopause

10 Easy Tips for Planning a Healthy Diet and Sticking to it

Some ideas for healthier options when you just can't face the kitchen.

Used by the Berber women of Morocco for centuries, argan oil has been rediscovered in the Western world as the latest wonder product for natural beauty.

Organic Household Cleaners

Hurry, claim your FREE AlmaWin sample pack now, before stocks run out! The sample pack contains trial size Natural Laundry Scent, Washing Powder and Bathroom Cleaner Concentrate.

A quick guide to picking antioxidant rich food and drinks, our new tasty ORAC muesli (samples available at the Your Healthy Living Show on the 12th and 13th of June) and the Mile High drink on promotion (with exceptional ORAC values). Yum!

Follow Jenny's tips for fresh, healthy skin in time for summer

A look at how you might make positive healthy and interesting changes to your childs lunchbox, a healthy lunch helps children learn and needn't be tricky.

Daily doses of Vitamin B appear to slow the speed at which the brain shrinks in people with early signs of memory loss.

A quick guide to some homemade beauty products, the ingredients to avoid and our best suggestions for products...

Top tips to get your cholesterol lowered.

Restoring your body's energy levels after exercising is vital, here's our top tips for recovery and a few links to our best products to make life easy for you

Some simple dietary tips that may help improve your memory and concentration

An infographic with some of the best foods to eat to protect your brain against degeneration and improve your focus and concentration.

Hints to hit at halitosis

Your immune system is a fine tuned ensemble of vessels and nodes whose purpose is to defend your body from assaults from the world around you. There are some things you can do to help keep your immune system in tip top condition, find an easy way to keep colds and flu at bay....

Find Vitamin D supplements here in our webshop. Guidelines on how much Vitamin D we need have changed recently, one of our lovely staff members has recently completed her nutritionist BA and has the lowdown on all the changes...

Spaghetti or vegetable squash is an oblong winter squash with pulp and seeds in the middle, a little like a pumpkin, albeit a different shape. When raw, the flesh of is solid and similar to other raw squashes, when cooked, the flesh falls away from the fruit in ribbons or strands like spaghetti! It is often used as a spaghetti or noodle substitute for dishes or it can be served with butter as a simple tasty side dish.

There MAY be vegetarian home-made meals ahead

The time has come; there’s no point putting our heads in the sand any longer. The unnecessary consumption of single-use plastic has to stop and 2019 is the year to make the change. Here are our seven resolutions for a plastic-free revolution…

For many women, the menstrual cycle is just part of the monthly routine, something that you have got used to and handle. Yet there is so much more to menstruation and ways that you can improve your experience. The team at Real Foods, Scotland’s largest independent retailer, shares some in-depth tips on how to manage your menstrual cycle.

Baking season is upon us, whether it's trying the Great British Bake Off creations, preparing for Christmas feasting and gifts or simply making some goodies to cheer you on as the nights draw in. Whatever you plan to do, there's no need to give up your favourite cakes or bakes just because you're on a free-from diet or baking for someone who is. Here are our best tips to show how working without gluten, dairy or refined sugars can be just as simple as working with them.

It’s dark, it’s cold and it’s quite possible you've got a hangover from drinks, debauchery or far too many relatives visiting. Don’t worry, be healthy and happy, here are our best suggestions for kickstarting a healthier you.

So you’d like to use high-quality ingredients? Products with complete traceability? Perhaps you’d like to be able to leave your moisturiser lying around and not panic when a toddler starts eating it? Look no further… here’s the Real Foods guide to natural skincare...

Fresh fruits and vegetables from Real Foods throughout June and July.  Try greens in salads or soft fruits for dessert and enjoy the flavours of summer.

Did you know that Halloween is a Scottish word? Read on for some history and some celebration suggestions...

November 11^th is Remembrance Day and in this country and many other Commonwealth countries people will have been wearing poppies as a sign of remembrance.

Real Foods take on a traditional Christmas song

Locally sourced, freshly picked vegetables not only taste better, they're nicer to the environment and quite often a wee bit cheaper too. So here are our tastiest recipes and top tips on how to make the most of the fruit and vegetables available this season...

Some facts about the holidays

Nothing beats a homemade Christmas present (at least that's what generations of grannies have told us!) So here are a few edible treats, pretty decorations and ways to keep kids occupied until Santa comes...

Is there anything so delectable than ripe, juicy cherries in summertime? We love them so much we use one as our emblem!

Tasty, organic French cherries are now in season and available in-store, ideal for summer snacking, picnics, baking and desserts

A step by step guide to having a vegetarian barbecue, with recipes for grilling, side dishes and how to make the perfect summer drinks. We recommend some of our top summer sellers and cool new products for you to impress all your non meat eating friends. Now all you need is some sun!

Great gift ideas, family-friendly recipes and a brief history of the day to give you some ideas to make your dad happy.

Why you should take a small bottle of Dr Bronner's Castile Soap in your holiday luggage

A brief introduction into how you can keep your house clean without making the environment dirty

With the warm weather of Spring and Summer arrives daydreams of sitting in a beautiful, sunny garden enjoying the great British tradition of afternoon tea... and cake, everyone deserves a little cake! This is a quick guide to the traditions of a British afternoon tea, some great ideas for tasty recipes, the best biscuits for dunking and a few links to our bestselling teas.

Here at Real Foods we know what’s good about fruit – and how to take as much enjoyment as you can from the summer months!

A quick guide to some of the current and upcoming vegetables this season. With a few handy recipe ideas...

Ready for a new start in the New Year? Remember that it doesn’t mean your diet has to be brand new! Mixing it up with a few exciting but wholesome alternatives can be enough to keep you and your body happy. Welcome the New Year with Real Foods and a balanced, healthy diet. 

Rosy and David, proprietors of Meadowsweet Organics, have a shared passion for organic growing at their new enterprise in Fife.

Travel-size lotions and potions, links to amazing self tanning and sun care, some natural remedies and a range of the all important drinks, snacks and treats. We've even got some recycled toothbrushes!

10 quick and easy recipes to make your summer party go with a zing

Real Foods is committed to buying organic fruit and vegetables, in season and as local as we can get it. 

An infographic showing Real Foods' last ordering dates to get your goods in time for Christmas. Along with the last international posting dates.

People often fast for health or religious reasons, here are a few of our do's and don'ts...

A brief history of the traditions of Harvest, a few links to some of the most popular produce and a guide to allotments – so you can get properly into the spirit of things and have your own harvest!

Tips and hints on how to survive the Edinburgh festival season

The best selection of local, seasonal, vegetarian, organic, ethical and free-from foods in Edinburgh.

Real Foods top advent calendars for 2017

Read up on your Valentine's history and see what Real Foods have to offer by way of gifts and pampering for the one you love.

Want to stretch your budget a little further? Keen to find out about Real Foods' special offers, bulk discounts and other great savings? Read on for our guide to budgeting and still eating well...

Looking for alternatives to the usual wine or beer this winter? Look no further, here are the Real Foods staff favourites for when you want a treat, but don’t want the hangover in the morning!

Try our Natural Beauty shop for luxurious pampering treats, the Chocolate shop for decadent delights or buy her favourite ingredients and bake her a cake!

Go on, spoil your mum!

Cherries, best eaten when in season, you can get the benefits all year round by getting the habit of drinking cherry juice every day.

You’ve heard about Fairtrade fortnight, you’ve bought Fairtrade tea but are you really clear on what Fairtrade means and how your Fairtrade swaps can bring about lasting change? Here’s our handy guide...

On Tuesday 19th October from 7.30pm at our Broughton Street store.The evening will feature tastings (including wine and Fairtrade chocolate oooh..) an entertaining guided tour and hints and tips on seasonal cooking.

REAL FOODS AT FOODIES FESTIVAL – FRIDAY 13^th, SATURDAY 14^th & SUNDAY 15^th

 2010 Your Healthy Living Show reviewed by Jenny Schofield (Broughton Street store manageress).

Meet the author and buy signed copies of her book Eat Well with Nell, 3-4pm on  June 5th at our Broughton Street store.

Increase Vitality with Raw and Living Foods at Real Foods. Author, workshop leader and coach Judy Barber has moved to a largely raw and sprouted vegetarian way of eating in the last couple of years and will be in our Broughton Street store to share her wealth of knowledge about raw foods, including gourmet-level recipes. Tickets are available instore or call 0131 557 1911 and ask to speak to Ben or Jen.

Dr Craig B. Sommers will be hosting, introduced by Judy Barber, on Monday 6th September at our Tollcross store from 19.30.

Review of the evening held by Tracy Griffen on Tuesday 19th October at our Broughton Street store.

Ben (assistant manager at our Broughton Street shop) reviews our  Kitchen Cupboard Remedies event, hosted in conjunction with Napiers The Herbalists

We announce a winner of our Factory Gym membership competition and a quick update on what our team's been up to this month...

Tash (one of our Broughton Street supervisor's) reviews the Foodies Festival we attended 3rd - 5th December at the Assembly Rooms...

We held a Raw Food class with Raw Living's Kate Magic on Tuesday 14th April...

A quick introduction to some of our local suppliers with some of their best products

Our review of the sunny Taste of Edinburgh event last month where we had a stand

A new study at University of Aberdeen’s Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health was announced recently. They plan to investigate if oats and barley grown in the north of the UK are even better at protecting the body against heart disease.  The five year study is part of several Scottish Government funded projects being undertaken at the Rowett Institute investigating the potential health benefits of Scottish produce.

Look out for the new limited edition Anorak beer in-store and online from mid July.

Hurry! Don't miss out! Real Foods is giving away free organic cotton bags with free samples inside to the first 1000 visitors each day of the show

You can read the Your Healthy Living Magazine here.

Our Broughton Street Manageress Jenny reviews this seminar by Tracy Griffen.

We'll be the Foodies Festival on Friday 13th, Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th August. Find out more and details of our competition to win a pair of free tickets...

Our assistant manager Ben reviews our raw food event with Judy Barber that was held on the 20th July at the Broughton Street store.

On Wednesday 30th June Stewart brewing (http://www.stewartbrewing.co.uk) held a beer launch at the Windsor Buffet, at the top of Leith Walk. To their ever popular range they added a Pilsner and Dopplebock, both bottled with special edition labels.

Revisiting and hopefully revitalising the practice of recycling

Face masks you can make from the kitchen cupboard, the best pampering products and organic essentials, plus what to avoid...

Find out what Tom Phillips of Cyrenians Farm has to say

A review of a wine and chocolate tasting evening held in our Broughton Street store...

We will have a chocolate and wine tasting evening with expert Linda Ward on the 30th November at Real Foods, 37 Broughton Street from 19:30 - 21:00

Jenny our Broughton Street manageress reviews the Your Healthy Living Show. 

We have had a recent update from our suppliers regarding the raw Cacao that is sourced from Ecuador. There have been supply issues recently and we hope this will help explain what has happened. Find our cacao here in the superfoods webshop

Cordon bleu organic baby food available from Real Foods

Free Nakd Bar for Bite readers!

Nakd, Bite and Real Foods have joined together to offer you a free, delicious, tasty bar. Simply fill in the coupon inside Bite magazine and bring it into to one of our shops.

Over 40 years ago Real Foods became Garvald bakery’s first customer. Take a closer look at one of our longest serving local suppliers.

The difference between potato flour and potato starch flour, and how to make your own potato flour.

Buckwheat Roasted Kasha is made from hulled buckwheat. Also known as Buckwheat Groats, Kasha is an Easter European/ Russian version of porridge. Ideal for a long-lasting breakfast with a slow release of energy.

Menstruation can be painful. Real Foods, Scotland’s largest independent retailer, explains the many types of menstrual conditions and provides top tips on how to use natural remedies for PMS

Does the sunshine have you reaching for the tissues? Here are some natural remedies that may help with allergies, sniffles and sneezing...

Bulgur is a whole wheat grain, usually durum wheat, that has been parboiled, dried, cracked and sorted by size. It was eaten by the Romans and Egyptians, and today is most often associated with Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine. It is high in fibre, B vitamins and minerals. 

Millet is one of the oldest foods known to humans and possibly the first cereal grain to be used for domestic purposes. It was grown as early as 2700 BC in China where it was the prevalent grain before rice became the dominant staple. Today it sustains 1/3 of the world’s population and is a significant part of the diet in northern China, Japan, Manchuria and various areas of the former Soviet Union, Africa, India, and Egypt. 

Left Field Kombucha drinks: Made with only the finest, ethical teas for a full drinks experience without the hangover. They are fermented for taste.  No juices or added flavourings after fermentation. Kombucha as it should be. 

A guide to the packaging that Real Foods uses for our own brand products

All the nutritional information you need to know about apricots and how to get the most out of them...

Want to know the difference between an organic wine and a Demeter organic wine? Fancy trying a vegan wine or worried about sulphur levels? Read on to find out what exactly all the information on the labels really means...

Here are the details you need to plan your shopping with Real Foods in the run up to Christmas and beyond

Red Split Lentils are by far the quickest to cook of the lentil family. They need no pre-soaking unlike many legumes and as they are split (the skins removed so they split naturally into two halves), they cook very quickly.

Superfoods go beyond basic sustenance to deliver a nutrient-dense package of vitamins, minerals,   antioxidants and plant-based proteins, with benefits for your health and vitality as well as your tastebuds. Introduce a wide variety to your diet for optimum nutritional benefit.

Make start now and beat the rush with  some suggestions from Real Foods for making your own delicious Christmas cake with the kids this half term.

Suddenly decided you must have a Christmas cake and are panicking. Here are a few ideas...

Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) is the wonder grain: high in protein, gluten-free, easy to digest, and quick to cook. It makes a delicious breakfast (with sweet or savoury additions), pilaf, and salad; it can also be added to baked goods.

Pearl barley, as opposed to pot or Scotch barley, is the variety most commonly used. The outer bran is removed and the grain polished to a shiny 'pearl', making it more tender to the bite and easier to cook.

Spelt, also known as dinkel or hulled wheat, was a staple food in Europe until medieval times. It has been revived through growth in organic farming as spelt requires fewer fertilisers than other wheat grains.

It has a sweet, nutty flavour and contains a range of vitamins and minerals including vitamin E, calcium, zinc and iron. Spelt contains gluten so is not suitable for coeliacs, however some with allergies to common wheat may find they can tolerate it.

Rye Grains have been cultivated for under 2000 years, that's actually quite a short time comparatively, it's one of the more lately domesticated crops. It's popular in Scandinavian and Eastern European countries and is the key ingredient in rye and pumpernickel breads.

Wheat Grain (also known as wheat berries) are whole, unprocessed wheat kernels that contain all three parts of the grain, including the germ, bran and starchy endosperm.  Only the hull, the inedible outer layer of the grain, has been removed. This means that wheat berries retain all of the grain's vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals.

A quick guide to the chemicals to avoid in health and beauty products.

Come to Real Foods this October to save money on your Christmas baking ingredients and a chance at winning a gorgeous set of Mason Cash mixing bowls.

Take a look at what Independent Reviewer Pam Reichhartinger-Lawlor, who writes the blog thebreadshebakes, has to say about  making Stollen. Christmas Stollen is a rich, sweet bread made with butter, milk, spices and rum-soaked dried fruit and nuts.

To see ready made Stollen click here

Find out more about the launch of our new Organic Wine Club and it's first and very successful event...

Everything you wanted to know about health food shops... but were afraid to ask!

John Mellis is one of a small number of people who make their living keeping bees. John has been producing quality honey on his farm in Dumfries for over 20 years.

Remedies, Recipes and Review of Hood's Honey by Fiona Morris, Medical Herbalist

A quick guide to the ancient grain,  a recipe for bannocks and a link to where to buy it...

All about the Seville Orange from Real Foods

All about the aubergine from Real Foods

Pinto in Spanish means 'painted' and it's easy to see how these beans got their name. The pale pink-beige pinto beans are speckled with red-brown 'paint splatters', Jackson Pollack-style. The speckles disappear when the beans are cooked and they turn a creamy pink colour all over.

https://www.realfoods.co.uk/recipe/beetroot-pomegranate-grapefruit-juice

Introducing Pomegranate..

Popcorn is a type of Maize, that puffs upon cooking, making the distinctive popping sound that gave the corn its name. Because it is a whole grain, it has all three parts of the grain: the germ, the bran, and the endosperm.

How to cook rice, the different types of rice and some recipe ideas...

All about the Jerusalem Artichoke. Where I'm from, how to use me and what I can do for you...

All about the Globe Artichoke. Here's the Real Foods range of pre-prepared artichokes. What to do with me, where I come from and what I actually do... 

Are your bananas a bit green and you want them to ripen and turn yellow? Or are you desperate to turn them black to make banana bread? A fully ripened banana should be yellow with the odd brown or black spot.  Read on...

How Do I Cook... Chickpeas

Chickpeas are available pre-cooked in cans or dried; they must be soaked before cooking. Chickpea or Gram Flour (made from dried ground chickpeas) is widely used in Indian and Bangladeshi dishes.

Lentils come in lots of different varieties including yellow, red, brown, black and green. Green lentils have an earthy, nutty flavour and firm, 'meaty' texture, which makes them an ideal substitute in meat-free cooking.

A quick guide to our Christmas Shop, from baking cakes and puddings (or if you prefer, simply buying them!)

We have gorgeous gifts and treats,  a great range of advent calendars and sparkling wines! (We've got some hangover cures too...)

As always, we have a wide range of ethical, organic and free-from goodies, so whether you're looking for a dairy free chocolate bauble for the kids or a luxury gift for your gran, we've got it here...

Aloe Vera provides antivrial protection, can help to ease bronchial complaints and is excellent at helping to balance intestinal flora. Find out why, along with where Aloe Vera is from and what to do with the plant...

Want to know all about asparagus, where it's from? Why it's good for you? Here's our guide to asparagus...

Pears, where they come from, what they do and why you should pop a few in your basket! Plus some links to delicious recipes.

All about the banana. Where it comes from, how to use it and some great recipe links.

All about tomatoes, their nutrition, how to use them and some of our best recipe ideas...

All about the brilliant avocado, how to use it, ideas for recipes and why it's so very good for you...

Freekeh is a young, green wheat that is picked, roasted or smoked and can be used like rice, quinoa or cous cous.

Probably the most popular vegetable in the owrld, the humble potato has some surprising health benefits. This article will tell you where potatoes are from, what they are used for and some excellent recipes for using them.

A low-carb diet is one that restricts carbohydrate consumption (particularly easily digestible carbohydrates like sugar, bread and pasta) and replaces them with foods that contain protein and fats, and low-carbohydrate vegetables like salad. The Atkins Diet is one of the more famous low-carbohydrate diets.

A guide to where plums are from, their nutritional benefits and some suggestions for getting the most out of plums (or prunes as they're known when dried).

Tastings, events and health checks, what we've planned and how to join in...

Here are 10 easy ways to increase the fibre in your diet

Here is a summary of all of the SOS activity so far.

Thanks again to all those who have supported us in any way, we are overwhelmed by the love you have shown us, please keep it up.

A guide to the foods that make you happy! Or at least give you the energy you need to fight off the blues...

10 Ways to Make Your Child’s Lunch Healthy AND Fun

10 things you might not know about bonfire night and our recipe for the traditional Parkin cake. A quick guide to local Edinburgh events, or try our winter warming soup recipes and hot toddy drinks.