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Why a quarter of hospital patients would be better off at home

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Why a quarter of hospital patients would be better off at homeGetty

The head of the NHS Confederation has said 25% of patients could be recover better at home rather than in hospital.

The Confederation's chief executive Mike Farrar said the NHS needed to make the public understand "hospital-or-bust" medical care was an outdated idea.

He said figures suggested that a quarter of hospital patients would actually recover faster if they were treated by health service staff in their own homes.

Mr Farrar said: "Hospitals play a vital role but we do rely on them for some services which could be provided elsewhere."

"We should be concentrating on reducing hospital stays where this is right for patients, shifting resources into community services, raising standards of general practice, and promoting early intervention and self-care."

"There is a value-for-money argument for doing this, but it is not just about money and the public need to be told that - this is about building an NHS for the future."

He told the BBC's Today programme: "Many of our hospitals know that the patients that they are treating in their beds on any given day could be treated better - with better outcomes for them and their families - if they were treated outside of hospitals in community or primary care."

Do you agree that more patients should be treated at home rather than in hospital? Let us know below...
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Why it takes three months to lose your Christmas weight

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Why it takes three months to lose your Christmas weightPA

Over-indulging during the festive season is par for the course for most of us.

Who but the most dedicated of healthy eaters would turn down a mince pie, Christmas dinner or a chocolate or six?

Unfortunately for those of us who enjoy the seasonal eating splurge, a new study has discovered it takes three months to lose the weight we gain over the holidays.

A survey by MSN found the average person in Britain helped themselves to two or three servings of Christmas dinner and ate an average of 2,300 calories in a single meal.

The survey found 75% of us admitted to gorging ourselves over the festive season with the understanding that we'll have to diet to get rid of weight gain in the New Year.

Nutritionist Dora Walsh said: "You can still enjoy your food at Christmas without going overboard and gaining weight."

"They key is to eat slowly and enjoy what you are eating without over filling, and also stay active over the Christmas period to help burn off any excess calories."

"It's about moderation, which will help avoid the extremes of gorging at Christmas and starving after."

"Any post-Christmas diet plan needs to be sensible and balanced because crash diets don't work and quick fixes won't last."

Is the festive binge worth the post-Christmas weight loss hassle? Let us know below...

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Tips for boosting your immune system

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Tips for boosting your immune systemGetty

Whether you've already succumbed to a winter bug (or two) this season, or managed to avoid a dreaded cold or flu, not getting ill is top of everyone's New Year's wish lists.

From royal jelly to almonds to herbal medicines, people are constantly in search of tricks to help boost the immune system. Click through our gallery below for some common-sense tips to keep you feeling healthier and happier... and to give your immune system a boost this winter and beyond.

 

Expert warning over ice skating danger

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Expert warning over ice skating dangerPA

The popularity of Christmas markets and events has led to an increase in the number of ice rinks opening in Britain over the holiday season.

Along with mince pies, reindeer jumpers and frantic shopping, a visit to an ice-skating rink offers a festive experience, even if winter snow is nowhere to be seen.

However experts have issued a warning to remind people that ice skating can be dangerous.

The Society of Sports Therapists said people going ice skating should warm up first, remember to take care on the ice and avoid drinking mulled wine or other alcohol until they come off the rink.

The chairman of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, Professor Graham Smith, told the BBC: "Have fun, but be careful."

He said: "While it is a fun sport it can be very dangerous and should be treated with a large degree of respect, especially as for some, it is something that is done only once or twice a year."

He added that while people who skate regularly knew "how to fall properly", once-a-year skaters should learn how to tuck and roll when they fall, instead of putting out their hands on the ice where they could be injured by another skater.

Peter Cornall, head of leisure safety at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said: "Leisure activities should be as safe as necessary, not as safe as possible; when going ice skating this means you should expect to fall over and for others to bump into you - in fact, that is part of the fun."

"If you're going skating, wearing a pair of gloves is always a good idea, as is wearing whatever protective kit the rink operators give you and lacing up your skates properly."

Temporary rinks and mulled wine - a recipe for accidents or good fun? Let us know below...

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Why fish and vitamins could prevent brain ageing

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Why fish and vitamins could prevent brain ageingGetty

Eating a diet rich in oily fish and vitamins could help to prevent dementia, according to a new study.

Scientists at the Oregon Health and Science University, Portland Medical Center and Oregon State University scanned the brains of 42 volunteers and took blood samples from 104 people with an average age of 87 who did not have Alzheimer's disease.

They discovered that people with high amounts of omega 3 fatty acids or high levels of vitamins B, C, D and E scored higher in memory tests.

The researchers, whose results were published in the Neurology journal, said the lowest scores occurred where people had the highest amounts of trans fats in their blood.

They found people who had high levels of omega 3 and vitamins had more likelihood of having a larger brain volume.

Conversely, people with high levels of trans fat - an ingredient found in junk foods such as cakes and fried food - had smaller brains.

Study author Gene Bowman of Oregon Health and Science University said: "These results need to be confirmed, but obviously it is very exciting to think that people could potentially stop their brains from shrinking and keep them sharp by adjusting their diet."

Co-author Maret Traber of the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University said: "The vitamins and nutrients you get from eating a wide range of fruits, vegetables and fish can be measured in blood biomarkers."

"I'm a firm believer these nutrients have strong potential to protect your brain and make it work better."

Do you think fish and vitamins can help keep your brain healthy or not? Let us know below...

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Man calls ambulance to unblock toilet on Christmas Eve

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Man calls ambulance to unblock toilet on Christmas EveRex

What were you doing on Christmas Eve? If you were wrapping presents in front of the fire, having drinks with friends or stuffing yourself with mince pies, spare a thought for the people working in A&E over the festive season.

You'd think that Christmas would be a time to spare a thought over whether or not your health issue was serious enough for a 999 call, but apparently not according to the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS).

The NWAS have released a list of the most idiotic calls they received over the holidays, which included a male caller who dialled 999 to ask for an ambulance to help unblock his toilet.

Another man called up to say he had toothache, while a woman dialled an ambulance after getting a cotton bud stuck in her ear.

One caller rang up to complain about his itchy eye, although he had been experiencing problems for the previous three weeks.

Derek Cartwright, director of emergency service at NWAS, said: "These types of calls are clearly not life-threatening emergencies and therefore could have been treated more appropriately elsewhere."

"We cannot stress enough the importance of keeping the 999 number free for genuine medical emergencies. When people are calling us for an aching knee, toothache or cut finger, life-threatening cases are also trying to get through and these are the people who need us the most."

"This message could not be more appropriate at this time of year, as we traditionally see an increase in alcohol-related incidents over the holiday period and New Year's Eve in particular, many of which could be avoided if people took a sensible approach to drinking and looked out for each other."

"Please help us to help the people who need us most, by thinking before you dial 999 - do you really need an ambulance?"

Should the NHS refuse to treat people who have made these kind of calls or do people really not understand what should be considered an emergency? Let us know below...

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Food and drink companies allegedly misled consumers about sugar content in their products

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Food and drink companies allegedly misled consumers about sugar content in their productsPA

Think that dollop of Nutella you're about to spread on your toast is less sugary than some other alternatives because of the hazelnut content? A new poll finds that the reality may leave a bitter taste in your mouth.

The makers of the product - along with Chupa Chups lollipops, Coca-Cola, Britvic and the British Soft Drinks association - have all been reported to the Advertising Standards Authority for allegedly misleading consumers about the sugar content of their products, according to a poll by the Children's Food campaign, reports the Daily Mail.

Colourful lollipop maker Chupa Chups came out on top by those polled for a video on its website which suggested that the brand's yellow lollipops are made entirely of real lemon juice. In fact, closer inspection of the yellow suckers' label shows that they contain only three per cent fruit and are primarily made of sugar and glucose syrup.

The poll also alleges that the British Soft Drinks Association made false claims on its educational materials, stating that 'small quantities of sugar' may need to be added to fruit juices because 'variations in climate and reduced sunshine levels can affect the crop,' while Coca-Cola claimed its Vitaminwater drinks contained fruit juice and were enriched with vitamins and minerals (only three products in the range contain fruit, from concentrate).

Britvic and Nutella also made the list - the latter for failing to omit its sugar content.

'It is unforgivable that junk food companies relentlessly target children, but also shamelessly mislead the public with half-truths and made-up so-called facts,' said Kawther Hashem of the Children's Food Campaign.

Does misleading advertising put you off your food? Leave a comment and let us know.

Don't miss out on our gallery of energy-boosting (non-sugary) foods.

 

Cake and Eat It: Banana pancakes

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Cake and Eat It: Banana pancakesJassy Davis

If New Year's Eve is the biggest night out of the year, then New Year's Day breakfast has to be the hardest working meal of the year. Not only does it set the standard for the year ahead, it has to soak up all the excesses of the night before as well - not an easy task.

A fry-up is the traditional solution to a hangover, but is there a worse day of the year to try and orchestrate a Full English than January 1st? A fried breakfast is a meal of many parts - bacon, sausages, black pudding, mushrooms, beans and eggs for me - and getting them all ready at the same time is a nightmare when you're feeling bright and full of bounce. It's nigh on impossible to put together when last night's celebratory drinks are using your brains for bongos.

My solution is pancakes. They are soothing and easy to eat, settling on a churning tummy like a spongy carb blanket. And they're also a doddle to cook - you just have to stand at the hob and remember to flip them every few minutes. I've never had a hangover so terrible I couldn't operate a spatula.

But if you want to make absolutely certain your New Year's breakfast is effort-free, you can make these American-style pancakes the day before and then warm them up in the oven when you're ready to eat. They won't be as fluffy as when they're straight out of the pan, but they'll still be delicious with sweet syrup and butter. If you can't manage New Year's Day without bacon, they also go surprisingly well with crisp rashers of streaky bacon.


Banana pancakes
20 minutes to prepare, 45-55 minutes to cook
Serves 4
Cook's note: Suitable for vegetarians

125g unsalted butter, plus extra to serve
300g plain flour, sifted
2 heaped tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
75g caster sugar
3 medium eggs
350ml whole milk
5-6 bananas, thinly sliced
Chopped walnuts, ground cinnamon and golden syrup, to serve

Melt the butter over a low heat. Pour out 30g of the clear, golden clarified butter (leaving behind the white milk solids that float on the surface) and set aside - this clarified butter is for frying the pancakes in.

Sift the plain flour, baking powder and salt into a large mixing bowl. Stir in the caster sugar.

Separate the eggs, reserving the whites in a clean, grease-free bowl. Beat the egg yolks into the melted butter with the milk. Gently whisk the butter mix into the dry ingredients until they're just combined. The mixture will still be a bit lumpy, but this is fine.

Whisk the egg whites with an electric whisk until the whites are opaque and forming peaks - they don't need to be too stiff, just softly standing up. Fold half the egg whites into the pancake mixture to loosen it, then fold in the remaining batter. Don't over-mix it or try to totally blend the egg whites in. The batter should be a bit streaky.

Warm a frying pan or griddle over a medium heat and grease with a little of the clarified butter. Drop 4 tbsp of the batter into the pan to make a large pancake. Add a few slices of banana to the batter while the underside cooks; then, when the pancake is browned on the bottom, flip with a spatula and continue to cook until golden on both sides. Each pancake will take 3-4 minutes in total to cook. Slide onto a plate and keep warm in a low oven.

Repeat with the remaining pancake batter and two-thirds of the sliced bananas to make 12 pancakes. Layer 3 pancakes with the remaining sliced bananas and a scattering of chopped walnuts on 4 warm plates. Dot with butter, sprinkle with ground cinnamon and drizzle with golden syrup to serve.

The pancakes can be made a day ahead and then reheated in an oven at gas mark 4/180°C/fan oven 160°C for 10-15 minutes, or under a preheated grill, turning once, if you don't mind crisp edges.

 


Antidepressant use up 25% since financial crisis began

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Antidepressant use up 25% since financial crisis beganGetty

Financial woes and job worries due to the financial crisis have people reaching for the bottle - of antidepressants - according to a new study by The Co-operative Pharmacy.

Almost 50million prescriptions for antidepressants were handed out in the last year, a 26 per cent rise for the year 2010-11 compared to 2007-8, when 39.5million antidepressants were dispensed.

The most popular prescription antidepressant is citalopram hydrobromide, which makes up just over 12million prescriptions, with amitriptyline HCL (8.8million) and Prozac (5.2million) following, while diazepam (Valium) is the most commonly prescribed anti-anxiety drug.

It it thought that the rise in antidepressant use is due to job losses and fears, pressure to make ends meet and the increasing stresses of coping with everyday life, according to mental health charities.

"For some people depression just happens, but for others it is triggered by stressful events, for example losing a job, property or bereavement," said Emer O'Neill, chief executive of Depression Alliance.

"These uncertain economic times are linked to an increase in the number of people with the illness. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg, as for every person diagnosed with depression there are many more who suffer in silence."

Has the credit crunch prompted you to ask for prescription medications? Leave a comment and let us know.

And don't miss out on our gallery of mood-boosting tips.


 

Warm weather sparks vegetable shortage fears

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Warm weather sparks vegetable shortage fearsPA

The unusually warm winter weather in Britain this year may mean your skin is being spared from harsh winds and brutal cold, but there may be some bad news around the corner: bumper crops of over-ripe vegetables arriving early that have some fearing a shortage - and higher prices - come spring.

According to the Telegraph, farmers around the country have reported that their cabbages, broccoli, cauliflowers and brussels sprouts have ripened up to two months early.

The plants have reportedly become "confused" due to the warm weather Britain has been experiencing recently. At Riverford Farm near Totnes Devon (supplier of veg to 40,000 households) the savoy cabbages are so big they've burst out of their boxes.

Officials are hoping for the onset of cold weather to curb vegetables' growth.

Riverford's assistant harvest manager, Ed Scott, told the Daily Mail: "This crop has become so confused by the comparatively warm conditions that as well as maturing well ahead of schedule, a fair number of the plants are actually flowering."

"This should not be happening until February and they've been blooming through December, a full three months early."

"Our concern now is whether or not these crops will hold till we can pick them. I never thought I'd say this, especially after last year's brutal winter, but bring on the snow and ice!"

This time last year, vegetable crops were frozen to the ground.

What's your favourite winter vegetable? Let us know below.

And don't miss out on our gallery of healthy snack swaps.

 

Elderly hit with stealth fee rise on home care costs

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Elderly hit with stealth fee rise on home care costsGetty

New figures published by Labour have revealed that councils have raised the cost of food, transport and daily care for elderly people living at home.

The average price of a meal rose from £3.17 last year to £3.44, while transport fees rocketed 33 per cent and home care costs rose from £13.05 an hour to £13.40. Fees varied around the country with some councils like Surrey or Cheshire East charging over £20 an hour for home care that would be free of charge in Tower Hamlets.

This fee rise means that the average yearly cost for an older or disabled person who pays for ten hours of home care a week is now over £7,000 a year.

The figures also revealed that around 15 per cent of the elderly and disabled have lost access to free services, while seven in 10 councils only offer aid to those in "substantial" or "critical need", means-testing free assistance.

Liz Kendall MP, Shadow Minister for Care and Older People, said: "These increases in home care charges for older and disabled people are a stealth tax on the most vulnerable people in society.

"More people are having to pay more for vital services such as help getting up, washed and dressed, meals on wheels, and transport to day centres. These services are a lifeline for older and disabled people and are crucial in helping them live independently in their own homes.

"And the huge variations in the costs of care across the country mean elderly and disabled people face a post-code lottery, through no fault of their own.

"The Government is out of touch with the growing crisis in care. Their brutal cuts to funding for local council services for older people are pushing up charges and placing an even greater burden on the people who most need help."

Do you think elderly taxpayers are bearing the brunt of the Government's cutbacks? Leave a comment and let us know.

And don't miss out on our gallery for tips on coping with the menopause.

 

Dream job fantasies still plague almost half of workers

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Dream job fantasies still plague almost half of workersPA

Are you stuck behind a desk but dreaming of a career change - bending it like Beckham or taking care of animals, perhaps - everyday? It's likely that person in the cubicle next to you also wishes their childhood dream job had become a reality.

A new study for recruitment website Monster.co.uk found that 47 per cent of adults in their 40s regret not following their childhood dreams of becoming veterinarians, doctors, sports stars or actors and of ending up in IT, education or administration professions instead, reports the Daily Mail.

Over a third of recent grads and a third of those over 60 also regretted that they hadn't pursued their dream jobs, with a total of 42 per cent of those surveyed wishing they had followed their childhood fantasies.

The survey also found that 44 per cent of men were dissatisfied in their current jobs (compared to 40 per cent of women).

Rather than being hungry for fame or money, one in six respondents revealed that happiness was what motivated their desires, with 14 per cent admitting their dream occupation would be in the arts and entertainment industries.

Perhaps it's not too late, after all. There's always reality show stardom to aspire to, right?


What was your childhood dream job? Leave a comment and let us know.


And don't miss out on these at-your-desk exercises to try.

 

Study finds women really do get ill more often than men

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Study finds women really do get ill more often than menGetty

When it comes to men and women, the two sexes deal with illness very differently. While men are known for their inability to tolerate it (hello, man flu), women have a reputation of going to their doctor with the tiniest of ailments.

But a new study by scientists at the Public Health Agency of Barcelona has found that while women did report health problems more often, they also fell ill more often and suffered from a higher rate of chronic disease, disproving the myth that women are overly anxious when it comes to their ailments.

Using data from Spain's 2006 National Health Survey (which included 29,000 interviews), researchers found that 38.8 per cent of women felt their health was poor or very poor, while 25.7 per cent suffered from a chronic condition (arthritis, muscular issues and mental disorders were the most common). Only 27 per cent of men felt they had poor health.

The research, reported in the European Journal of Public Health, also showed that women were no more likely than men to claim to have poorer health when both had the same condition. In fact, women tended to report better health than men when they had the same number of ailments.


"There are studies that show that differences between the health status of women and men can be explained by differences in their household income or income source," head researcher Davide Malmusi told the Mail Online.

"Women are also undergoing more pressure about their body image, and most importantly they are expected to take care of their children and parents and care for their own wellbeing and self-fulfilment generally falls behind."

Do you think women really do get ill more than men? Let us know by leaving a comment in the box below.

Don't miss out on our immune-boosting tips.


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U.S. nutritionists criticise Jamie Oliver for unhealthy recipes

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U.S. nutritionists criticise Jamie Oliver for unhealthy recipesPA

While Jamie Oliver is considered by many to be a paragon of healthy eating with his outspoken stance in Britain's battle against the bulge, the celebrity chef has been blasted by U.S. nutritionists over his unhealthy recipes.

The chef's 30-Minute Meals cookbook was derided as one of 2011's five worst cookbooks by scientists from the Physicians' Committee for Responsible Medicine, who were particularly concerned over Oliver's "heart-attack" meatball sandwich recipe, which has twice as many calories as a Big Mac, reports the Daily Mail.

Jamie's meatball sandwich has a whopping 1,182 calories and 47 grams of fat, compared with 24 grams of fat and 490 calories in a McDonald's Big Mac.

"Jamie Oliver has done some very good things with regard to highlighting problems with school dinners and fast food," said nutritionist Susan Levin.

"But some of the recipes in his book are higher in fat and sodium and than the processed stuff."

Other books that were slammed for high-fat recipes included The Neelys' Celebration Cookbook and the meat-heavy Cook's Illustrated.

Are you a fan of Jamie's 30-Minute Meals? Leave a comment and let us know below.

And don't miss out on our gallery of must-have cookery books.

 

New Year fitness gadgets

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New Year fitness gadgetsAmazon

On the lookout for the latest hi-tech workout wizardry or a fun fitness gizmo to kick start your January training plan?

Aside from all the effort involved, getting in shape can be a tad tedious. Luckily, there's a whole world of boredom-busting gadgets out there designed to help you exercise more effectively.

From vibration plates to body monitors, boost your regime with these handy innovations.

New Year fitness gadgetsAmazon

Adequate hydration is key during and after exercise but sometimes it can be a bit tricky keeping tabs on how much you're drinking. Cue the Hydracoach. Dubbed 'the intelligent water bottle', it will monitor how much fluid has passed your lips and remind you to take a sip if you need more.

Buy the Hydracoach today for £25 from Amazon

Shop for more water bottles

New Year fitness gadgetsThe Sports HQ

Vibration plates can really help turbo charge your workout. They work by shaking up the muscles to an ultra-high rate of contraction, cramming in up to 50 times per second. End result: Enhanced muscle mass and tone, along with a reduction in body fat and cellulite.

Get the GADGET:FIT Power Vibration Plate for only £134.98 from The Sports HQ

Shop for more vibration plates

New Year fitness gadgetsAmazon

A superb bit of equipment if you're keen to strengthen your ankles, knees and hips, balancing on this wobble board for just 20 minutes a day should improve balance and coordination. Rocking the same sort of technology top physios work with, regular use can also help minimise the risk of future injury to the ankles and knees.

Buy the wobble board today for just £14.40 from Amazon

Shop for more balance boards

New Year fitness gadgetsAmazon

The Slendertone range has come on a lot in the last few years, and thousands swear by its tummy-toning prowess. Top-rated is the Flex Max Toning Belt. It offers 10 toning programmes and is guaranteed to get you a flatter stomach, all backed up by clinical and user trials. Use it five times a week for six weeks to hone and tone those abs just in time for Valentine's.

Snap up your Slendertone Flex Max today for only £39.99 from Amazon

Shop the Slendertone range

New Year fitness gadgetsAmazon

One of the most hi-tech weight loss helpers on the market, the Ki-Fit tracks calories, steps, physical activity levels and sleep efficiency to help you master your metabolism - it's clinically proven to help you lose three times more weight. The catch? You'll have to sign up for the Online Activity Manager service and pay a subscription fee of around a tenner a month.

Invest in the Ki-Fit Wellness Monitor now for £159.99 from Amazon

Shop for more body monitors

New Year fitness gadgetsAmazon

If the Ki-Fit is out of your price range, keep tabs on your body fat with this body composition monitor by Omron. It boasts eight sensor technology to pinpoint your weight, body fat levels and BMI for a super-accurate reading.

Buy the Omron BF508 Body Composition & Body Fat Monitor today for £29.99 from Amazon

Shop for more body fat monitors

New Year fitness gadgetsJohn Lewis

Bag the Speedo Aquabeat and liven up those tedious lengths with a bit of music. A dinky waterproof MP3 player, it can be submerged by up to three metres and will float to the top of the pool if it gets detached mid-swim.

Snap up the Speedo Aquabeat for £79 from John Lewis

Shop for more waterproof MP3 players

New Year fitness gadgetsAmazon

A fantastic gadget for runners both novice and seasoned, the Garmin Forerunner 405 will track and analyse your time, distance and pace, and use the data to create advanced training programmes to challenge you and get you motivated.

Get your Garmin Forerunner 405 sportswatch today for £129 from Amazon

Shop for more sportswatches

 


New Year shapewear saviours

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New Year shapewear savioursNew Look/M&S/Amazon

Feeling the January bulge? Unless you managed to resist the barrage of brandy butter, mince pies and Christmas pud, that's probably a 'yes'. And after weeks of munching and mooching around, it's no doubt going nowhere fast.

So, to help you look and feel your confident best until your New Year healthy eating and fitness plan kicks in, here's our round-up of silhouette-slimming shapewear.

New Year shapewear savioursFeel Unique

If you're on the lookout for a super-savvy shapewear investment, you really can't go wrong with a pair of Spanx. Pretty much the number one brand for celebrities and top stylists, they don't come cheap but they really do the trick. These Super Higher Power tights incorporate a tummy-taming panel and mega-compression zones to streamline the belly, hip and thigh areas.

Get your hands on a pair of Spanx Super Higher Power hosiery today, on sale for just £24.80 at Feel Unique

Shop for more slimming hosiery

New Year shapewear savioursNew Look

After that extra bit of support? Control leggings are your new best friend. This quality pair by Trinny & Susannah features a slimming tummy-toning panel, no-sagging yarns and a sculpting thigh and leg band - everything you'll need to work a more svelte silhouette.

Get your pair of Trinny and Susannah Shape and Tone Leggings now for £37.99 from New Look

Shop for more control leggings

New Year shapewear savioursJohn Lewis

Boasting a price tag that's as lean as you'll hopefully be, these control slimming shorts are a brilliant bargain buy. A seamless underpinning for your winter threads, they're designed to smooth out hips and thighs, minimising any tell-tale muffin top bulges and VPL.

Buy these Grace Sensitive Firm Control Thigh Slimmer Shorts now for only £13.50 from John Lewis

Shop for more control shorts

New Year shapewear savioursM&S

Feel like you're bulging out in all directions? If you're crying out for some serious overall figure-fixing, forget the flimsy shapewear and opt for this Firm Control Selvedge Panelled all-in-one. It'll do a great job moulding those curves and camouflaging any lumpy bits.

Get your Firm Control Selvedge Panelled Body today for £28.50 from M&S

Shop for more control body suits

New Year shapewear savioursJohn Lewis

If all that Christmas eating and drinking has made a beeline for your bum, you'd be wise to bag these derriere-enhancing shorts. Fitted with internal panels to lift and support the bottom, they also rock an extra-high waist to tame that tummy.

Invest in a pair of High Waisted Shorts today for £16 from John Lewis

Shop for more bottom-enhancing shorts

New Year shapewear savioursM&S

This season's vintage-inspired ladylike looks call for a nipped-in waspish waist - not the easiest feat to pull off at this time of year. Cinch in that tummy to perfection and work some hourglass allure with this Waist Scupt Cincher. It'll pull you in and smooth you out in all the right places.

Snap up the Body Solutions Firm Control Waist Sculpt Cincher for just £19.50 from M&S

Shop for more waist cinchers

New Year shapewear savioursAmazon

If you're prone to cellulite, festive overindulgence and hours slumped in front of the box probably haven't done your thighs any favours. Tackle the problem with this Lipo Contour Body. Made from a patented layered fabric that micro-massages the skin and breaks up fat cells, it's clinically proven to minimise the dreaded orange peel.

Buy the Lipo Contour Cellulite-Reducing Body today for £48.62 from Amazon

Shop for more cellulite-minimising shapewear

New Year shapewear savioursM&S

Like the idea of shapewear but loathe the thought of overly tight smalls? Opt for a more subtle effect with these Light Control Bandeau Knickers. They gently shape and smooth the tummy for a more streamlined silhouette.

Get your pair of Light Control Floral Lace Bandeau Knickers now for only £10.50 from M&S

Shop for more Light Control shapewear

 

One-Pot Winter Warmers: Vegetable curry with toasted coconut sauce

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One-Pot Winter Warmers: Vegetable curry with toasted coconut sauceHelen Graves

This week's winter-warmer recipe is for everyone who over-indulged during the festive season. It's a mixed vegetable curry with a special sauce made from toasted coconut and spices that is comforting, yet healthy; perfect for easing the guilt of holiday consumption.

The style of this curry is South Indian, specifically Keralan, containing as it does both coconut and curry leaves, which are typical ingredients of the region. They work particularly well with vegetables and seafood, producing characteristically light and fragrant curries.

Fresh curry leaves are fairly easy to get hold of nowadays from Asian grocers and larger supermarket branches, so look for them in the fresh vegetable section. They can be kept in the freezer at home until needed and add a unique flavour that can't be replicated. If you really can't find any though, leave them out, as the curry will still taste nice without them.

As for the coconut, fresh is best too, if you're confident dealing with it. However, some supermarkets and grocers sell pre-grated, frozen fresh coconut, which is very handy indeed. If you're really at a pinch, use the dried stuff.

Any vegetables will work well in this recipe, so mix and match according to what's available. Okra, green beans, cauliflower or spinach would all be tasty. I like the finished dish generously garnished with fresh green chilli, coriander and lime juice, served with plain steamed rice or fluffy naan bread.

As is usual with curries, this will taste even better the next day.

Vegetable Curry with Toasted Coconut Sauce (serves 4, with leftovers)

For the curry
½ teaspoon black mustard seeds
10 curry leaves
1 large onion, diced
4 cardamom pods, cracked open
3 cloves
1 cinnamon stick
½ teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon chilli powder
4 tomatoes, cut into quarters
4 peppers, sliced (red, yellow or orange peppers, but not green)
3 potatoes (about 350g), diced
3 carrots, diced
50g peas
1 lime
1 small bunch coriander, leaves picked
Fresh green chilli slices (optional)

For the coconut paste
2 tablespoons coriander seeds
1 dried chilli
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
10 curry leaves
150g fresh coconut, grated

You will also need oil for cooking.

Begin by making the paste. Toast all the ingredients in a dry pan over a fairly low heat until the coconut is golden brown. You'll need to stir this constantly to stop it from burning. Once golden, set aside to cool (this will happen faster if you spread the mixture out on a plate). Once cool, put into a blender with about 250ml water and blend to a paste. It should be fairly runny.

Heat two tablespoons of oil in a pan and when hot, add the mustard seeds. When they start to pop, add the onion, curry leaves, cardamom pods, cloves and cinnamon stick and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are a light golden colour.

Add the turmeric, chilli powder and tomatoes and cook, stirring for 2 minutes or so. Add the coconut paste from the blender, 500ml water and some salt. Bring to the boil and add all the other vegetables. Cover and cook for 10-15 minutes until the vegetables are tender.

Squeeze in the lime juice and serve scattered with the coriander and fresh chilli slices, if using.

 

Why crash dieting lasts only two weeks and will make you fatter

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Why crash dieting lasts only two weeks and will make you fatterRex

After the festive deluge of mince pies, cheese and booze, it's usually an unpleasant shock to climb on the scales at the beginning of January.

However if you're tempted to start a crash diet in order to lose your holiday weight as quickly as possible, you may want to reconsider.

A survey by Hovis has found that people who begin a crash diet at the start of the month usually last an average of only 15 days.

The researchers also discovered that more than a third of women who go on an extreme diet end up heavier than when they started and most noticed they began putting on weight around three weeks after their diet finished.

The survey showed 35% of women were heavier after they stopped dieting and started eating normally, with an average weight gain of 4.7 pounds.

The poll of 2,000 women found the average amount of weight lost was 5.6 pounds but 60% of the dieters failed in their attempt to lose weight.

The survey also found 33% of women said their diet was a failure after they cut out bread from their eating plans.

Olympic cyclist Victoria Pendleton commented on the results of the poll: "It's worrying to think that women put pressure on themselves to lose weight quickly and then suffer emotional repercussions if they give up or don't see the desired results."

"The secret to a healthy lifestyle is not crash diets, marathons or cutting out bread from your diet."

Has a crash diet ever worked for you or are they a bad idea? Let us know below...

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Charity says giving up alcohol for a month is futile

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Charity says giving up alcohol for a month is futileGetty

A charity has warned that giving up alcohol for a month does not improve the health of the liver.

The British Liver Trust said people who went on a January alcohol detox in the belief they were boosting their health would be better off abstaining from alcohol for a few days each week throughout the year.

Andrew Langford, chief executive of the British Liver Trust, said: "People think they're virtuous with their health by embarking on a liver detox each January with the belief that they are cleansing their liver of excess following the festive break."

"A one-hit, one-month attempt to achieve long-term liver health is not the way to approach it."

"You're better off making a resolution to take a few days off alcohol a week throughout the entire year than remaining abstinent for January only."

The liver is able to repair itself over a very short period of time as long as it has not already been damaged.

Dr Mark Wright, consultant hepatologist at Southampton General Hospital, said the idea of a month long detox was useless if people carried on drinking too much during the rest of the year.

"Detoxing for just a month in January is medically futile. It can lead to a false sense of security and feeds the idea that you can abuse your liver as much as you like and then sort everything else with a quick fix."

"It makes about as much sense as maxing out your credit cards and overdraft all year, then thinking you can fix it by just eating toast in January. The figures just don't stack up," he added.

Do you agree with the charity or does a month-long alcohol detox work for you? Let us know below...

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Why most of us underestimate the calories in spreads and dips

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Why most of us underestimate the calories in spreads and dipsCorbis

Experts have warned that most of us miscalculate the number of calories in foods we believe are healthy.

A study by the World Cancer Research Fund found two thirds of people in Britain underestimated the number of calories in hummus and mayonnaise.

The research, which polled 2,000 people in Britain, showed only 32% knew that hummus had a high amount of calories (332 calories per 100g) and 29% correctly identified 'light' mayonnaise as high in calories (259 per 100g).

Maya Monteiro, senior education manager at WCRF, said: "Despite decades of increasing awareness about calories and healthy eating, it seems a lot of people are still confused about the calorie content of everyday foods."

"This troubling lack of understanding is perhaps not helped by labels such as 'light' and 'reduced fat' when applied to foods which still have a high calorie content."

"This is why WCRF tries to help people understand the information on food labels. If people are unaware which foods contain lots of calories, then it makes it even more difficult to adopt a diet that can help maintain a healthy weight. We hope the findings of this survey help to raise awareness of the importance of checking food labels because it is clear that it is not always obvious which foods are high in calories."

"The study also highlights the importance of having a system of food labelling that is both easy to understand and widely used."

Should food be labelled differently or not? Let us know below...

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