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Real Foods Blog: Health And Diet

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Gut Bacteria and Gut Dysbiosis

Gut Bacteria and Gut Dysbiosis

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.

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Plant Based Living

Plant Based Living

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.

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What is the best vegetarian diet for you

What is the best vegetarian diet for you

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. 

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A guide to managing coeliac disease

A guide to managing coeliac disease

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.

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What are ultraprocessed foods

What are ultraprocessed foods

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?

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Blue Zone Lifestyle Living Like the World's Healthiest People

Blue Zone Lifestyle Living Like the World's Healthiest People

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.

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Is it really better to buy organic

Is it really better to buy organic

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. 

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How Healthy Eating Can Help Mental Health

How Healthy Eating Can Help Mental Health

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.

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How can you improve your gut health

How can you improve your gut health

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.

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The best foods to boost your immunity and wellbeing

The best foods to boost your immunity and wellbeing

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.

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The good gut health guide

The good gut health guide

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. 

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Sleep solutions for a better night's rest

Sleep solutions for a better night's rest

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.

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Discover Easier Vegan Living with Everything You Need in Our Shops

Discover Easier Vegan Living with Everything You Need in Our Shops

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.

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Plant based diets on a budget

Plant based diets on a budget

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.

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Fermented Foods, Prebiotics and Probiotics

Fermented Foods, Prebiotics and Probiotics

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!

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How to find natural sugar alternatives

How to find natural sugar alternatives

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. 

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Detox without the denial

Detox without the denial

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.

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A guide to sulphite allergy

A guide to sulphite allergy

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...

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How sulphur dioxide is used in food preservation

How sulphur dioxide is used in food preservation

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.

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The real food diet

The real food diet

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.

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Raw Food explained

Raw Food explained

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

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New Super Boosting Foods

New Super Boosting Foods

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

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Good Gut Health

Good Gut Health

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.

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Food Allergies

Food Allergies

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

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A Gluten Free Shopping List

A Gluten Free Shopping List

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. 

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Healthy Snacks for Festival Goers

Healthy Snacks for Festival Goers

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

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Learn more about Soluble Fibre

Learn more about Soluble Fibre

Confused about fibre? You’re not alone.

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

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Organic and ethical loaves

Organic and ethical loaves

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

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Natural Hay Fever remedies

Natural Hay Fever remedies

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

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Find out the differences between organic, biodynamic, vegetarian and vegan wines

Find out the differences between organic, biodynamic, vegetarian and vegan wines

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...

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The top 5 nasties to avoid in toiletries

The top 5 nasties to avoid in toiletries

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

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Mood Boosting

Mood Boosting

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

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A Low Carbohydrate Shopping List

A Low Carbohydrate Shopping List

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.

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Make Sure You Are Getting Enough Fibre

Make Sure You Are Getting Enough Fibre

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

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