Real Foods Health Food News Articles Index

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.

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.

Easter, eggsactly what is it all about...

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.

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.

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. 

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

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.

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...

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.

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

Fancy some sneaky tricks to get yourself eating healthily?

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?

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...

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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...

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...

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).

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. 

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

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.

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

An article highlighting the benefits of taking coconut water

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.

All About the Cabbage (brassica) from Real Foods

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

Gift vouchers for sale on line and in our shops

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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!

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...

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.

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

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.

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

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. 

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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...

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…

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.

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!

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.

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?

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.

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...

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.

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. 

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...

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...

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.

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.

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

Real Foods new gift bag option in the webshop

Real Foods top advent calendars for 2017

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.

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

Cordon bleu organic baby food available from Real Foods

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.

There MAY be vegetarian home-made meals ahead

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.

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...

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.

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.

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!

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...

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...

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.) 

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.

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

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

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

Tips and hints on how to survive the Edinburgh festival season

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...

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.

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...

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… 

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

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.

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

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

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.

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....

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!

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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!

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

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.

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

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

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.

Hints to hit at halitosis

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

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

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

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.

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...

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!

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.

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

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. 

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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!

Find out what Tom Phillips of Cyrenians Farm has to say

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

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

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

Introducing Pomegranate...

All about the aubergine from Real Foods

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.

Dietary tips for easing your passage through the menopause

6 steps that may help you manage your migraines

Tips on eating well to reduce eczema

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

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 pip@realfoods.co.uk .  If anyone is interested in hosting or running a collaborative event with Real Foods, please do contact us.

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 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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

Confused about fibre? You’re not alone.

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

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

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

What counts towards your 5 a day?

A little information on drinks and fats in our food

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

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

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

Some great ideas for picnic food this summer

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

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...

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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. 

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.

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

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

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

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

Meet Ben, one of our managers at Real Foods

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

10 reasons why you SHOULD be eating chocolate

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

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

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

Top tips to get your cholesterol lowered.

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...

Revisiting and hopefully revitalising the practice of recycling

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

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...

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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!

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.

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.

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.

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

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…

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

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

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.

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...

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

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!

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.

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

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

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

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...

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

Introducing Pomegranate..

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.

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

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...

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

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.

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...

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

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... 

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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).

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. 

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

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.

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.