Latest News

Looking at pictures of pizza will make your salad taste better Getty

If you struggle to get excited by a plate of salad, you might want to try staring at a picture of pizza as you eat.

That's because scientists at the Nestle Research Centre in Switzerland have found that people who looked at pictures of high-carb food like pizza or pastry say that their food tastes better than those who look at images of healthy foods like watermelon or grapes.

The Daily Mail reports that this happens because vision plays a major role in our perception of food - and if something looks good we're more like to enjoy it and think that it tastes good.

In a study, 14 volunteers were shown quick images of either high-carb or low-carb food.

They were then given an electric taste test, which is a pulse which stimulates the tongue but has a neutral flavour, before being asked to rate the taste on pleasantness and intensity.

They found that those who had seen the high-carb pictures enjoyed the taste more than those who had seen the low-carb images.

Dr Johannes le Coutre, who led the research, said: "The results provide evidence that high calorie food cues enhance the hedonistic evaluation of subsequently presented tastes.

"The study provides novel insights into cross-modal sensory interactions underlying taste and probably food evaluation and consumption."

Researchers also studied brain images taken during the experiment and now believe that the study could, in future, help to treat appetite disorders.

Do you struggle to stick to a diet? Let us know below...

Click on the image below to find out which foods could boost your sex life...

Foods for better sex

Almonds
 Almonds are rich in zinc, which is known to help increase libido and aid with fertility. You may want to give them a whiff too - the scent is purported to arouse women.
Avocados
 The Aztecs referred to avocados as "testicle trees" because of their shape and how they grew in pairs. But it's the heart-healthy unsaturated fats they're packed with that will ensure your bedroom antics can go on all day... and night.
Dark chocolate
 You might want to invest in some chocolate body sauce: researchers found that a compound in dark chocolate, phenylethylamine, releases the same endorphins as those produced by sex and increases sexual attraction. Sounds sweet.
Blueberries
 Blueberries are packed with fibre, which helps keep cholesterol levels low, and are also known for improving circulation, which will help stimulate blood flow to the genitals.
Eggs
 How about breakfast in bed? Eggs are high in B vitamins which help regulate hormone levels, and they also contain the amino acids essential for optimum sexual health.
Granola
 Yet another reason not to miss breakfast: Foods like granola and oatmeal are high in L-Arginine, which studies have found improves sexual function in men since it helps stimulate blood flow and improve circulation.
Strawberries
 High in zinc and antioxidants, strawberries are also a healthy way to get your energy levels up for a marathon session in the sack. Plus, we all know <a href="http://lifestyle.aol.co.uk/2012/02/09/simple-seduction-tips/" target="_blank">red is the colour of seduction</a>. Whipped cream optional.
Salmon
 Foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids, like oily fish such as salmon and mackerel, are good for your nervous system, circulation and heart - all essential ingredients in getting your sex life booming.
Peaches
 Peaches are a good source of Vitamin C, which helps boost sperm count and ensures a better quality of sperm. Frozen peaches have a higher concentration of the vitamin than fresh ones.
Oysters
 Oysters have a reputation for getting people in the mood for love for a reason. Their high zinc content helps with arousal, testosterone production and improved circulation.
Spinach
 Spinach and other green leafy vegetables have folate, which helps keep arteries unclogged and is beneficial for reproductive health. Spinach is also a good source of magnesium, which helps with better blood flow.
Steak
 If you think there's nothing sexier than a big slab of red meat, you're in luck: Steak lowers prolactin levels, a hormone which may interfere with arousal, and the protein from the meat will trigger feel-good dopamine in the brain.

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Filed under: In the news

New blood-thinning drug could stop thousands of strokes Getty

A new blood-thinning drug that could revolutionise stroke prevention has been given the go-ahead for use on the NHS.

The drug is called pradaxa, also known as dabigatran, costs £2.50 per day and patients have to take it for life.

The Daily Mail reports that, unlike the most commonly-used drug warfarin, it doesn't have serious side effects or interact with foods, and patients don't need constant monitoring.

Studies show that the new drug is almost a third more effective at reducing the risk of stroke, and almost a million patients who have an irregular heartbeat could be eligible to take it.

Although pradaxa costs much more than warfarin, doctors believe that a high dose of the drug could prevent an extra 5,000 strokes per year, saving the NHS up to £59million in the first year alone.

The drug is licensed for use in people suffering atrial fibrillation (AF), which affects about 1.2million Britons and causes around 12,500 first-time strokes per year.

AF means that the upper chambers of the heart are out of rhythm and beat faster than normal. This causes blood to pool and generate tiny clots, which can trigger a stroke.

Doctors will prescribe the drug to AF sufferers who have had a stroke or mini-stroke or are aged over 65 with diabetes, hypertension or cardiovascular disease.

Do you currently take warfarin? Let us know below...

Click on the image below to find out which foods aren't as healthy as they look...

Not-so-healthy 'healthy' foods

Ready-made salads
 Putting the word 'salad' at the end of a food description doesn't make it healthy, unfortunately. So watch out for high-fat dressings, mayo and add-ons like cheese and croutons. Your best bet is to make your own; short of that, opt for a salad with vegetables and a protein and top off with a balsamic vinaigrette.
Cereal
 While cereals are vitamin-fortified, they may not be the best start to your day since many are still packed with sugar (a recent report from the U.S. found that several have more sugar per serving than a handful of chocolate chip cookies). If you love starting your morning off with a bowlful, then choose a cereal with high fibre content and under 10g (ideally under 5g) of sugar per serving.
Energy bars
 If you're trying to stave off calories with a meal replacement energy bar, you may be consuming more than you bargained for. Many are filled with added sugar, high-fructose corn syrup and saturated fats, not to mention loads of calories. Be sure to read the nutrition label - some energy bars have more in common with candy bars than you'd like.
Turkey burger
 If you think ditching red meat from your diet and replacing that hamburger with a 'lean' turkey burger is a healthy option, think again. Depending on the type of turkey used, the meal can be just as high in fat and calories as its beef alternative.
Muffins
 If you've conned yourself into thinking that muffins are healthy (they have blueberries! and bran!) it's time for a reality check. They are high in calories, fat and sugar - it's like eating cake for breakfast.
Sports drinks
 Sure, they give you an energy boost, but consuming too many sports and energy drinks can also leave you jittery from caffeine and can wear down tooth enamel from all of the acidity, sugars and additives.
Dried fruit
 While dried fruit might seem like a healthy snack alternative, watch the quantity you consume - since there's no water in it to fill you up, it's easy to guzzle handfuls at once which piles on the calories. It also has a high concentration of sugar.
Reduced fat and fat-free foods
 While 'fat-free' and reduced-fat foods may sound like a blissful invention, they can actually lead you to consume more (since they seem 'healthier'). The fat is often replaced with other undesirable alternatives like added sugar and salt.
Smoothies
 Smoothies shouldn't be a fruit replacement - they have lots of sugar and are high in calories (a large size can give you over 500 in one go). Also, if you're ordering the drink in a shop, it could get blended with ice cream - delicious, yes, but not ideal for a weight-loss regimen.

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Filed under: Celebrity

Robbie Williams posts topless picture to prove he hasn't gained weight RobbieWilliams.com/Twitter

Robbie Williams has posted a picture of his toned torso to prove that he's still in great shape and hasn't put on any weight.

Robbie, whose weight has yo-yoed over the years, was snapped leaving Greek restaurant Taverna Tony's over the weekend - and he appeared to have a double chin and a paunch.

So Robbie took to his website to insist that it was simply an unflattering picture - and he stripped off to make his point.

On Tuesday, he tweeted that he had a "special message for the paparazzi", and attached a picture of himself, topless and in great shape, giving the paps the finger.

In a blog entry titled 'Dear Papparazzi' he wrote:

"Dear Paprarazzi (that ambushed our lunch at the weekend)

Thank you for your internationally syndicated horrid picture of me (the one you put up of me leaving Taverna Tony's...)

Just to 'weigh' it up here's me at home the next day...

With much love and respect

Robert"

It's understandable that Robbie is touchy about his weight - after all, the British press dubbed him 'Blobby Williams' when he was at his heaviest in 2004.

But he's obviously got his weight under control recently - and is more than happy to show off the results of his hard work.

But we have a sneaking suspicion that he won't be wearing that unflattering jacket again any time soon...

What do you think of Robbie's toned abs? Let us know below...

Click on the image below to find out which celebs have struggled with food...

Celebrities with food struggles

Demi Lovato
 The 19-year-old Disney star recently came out of a stint in rehab for bulimia, drugs and alcohol. From the age of 12, the star started to starve herself, before beginning the binge and purge cycle in her teens. "At my worst, I was doing it five times a day. I threw up so hard and so much, it was just blood in the toilet," she told People magazine. Since leaving rehab, Lovato has been vocal about eating disorders, even lashing out at the Disney channel on Twitter for an eating disorder joke on one of its programmes. <div> </div> <div> </div>
Jane Fonda
 The exercise queen has had her share of eating and body image issues over the years. She told Harper's Bazaar: "I wasn't very happy from, I would say, puberty to 50. It took me a long time. It was in my 40s, and if you suffer from bulimia, the older you get, the worse it gets. It takes longer to recover from a bout." <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div>
Kirsty Young
 The Desert Island Discs presenter told the Radio Times she was working as an au pair in Switzerland when she began to suffer from bulimia. "I feel funny saying it because I'm now a different person Although it was horrible, I don't want to overplay it because people suffer for decades. I was lucky. I talked myself out of it in six months." <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div>
Diane Keaton
 In her autobiography, the 65-year-old opened up about her bulimia, which "outshone the power of my desire for Woody. Pathetic, but true." She used to binge on large quantities of food, eating a dozen buttered corn muffins, three fried eggs with bacon, pancakes and four glasses of chocolate milk just for breakfast. She revealed she got the idea for throwing up because she overheard another actress talking about it. <div> </div> <div> </div>
Kate Thornton
 The former Loose Women presenter revealed on This Morning that she became anorexic from the ages of 11 to 15 after suffering bullying at school. She is currently working on a documentary about the condition. "There was a 20-year distance between me and my recovery. And I have to say I completely misjudged it. I found it really hard. It is the hardest thing I have ever done. I can't watch it. I was looking away then when that clip was on. It is undignified, it's embarrassing, but it's happening all around us. It is a deceptive illness, a lonely illness and still one that's really difficult to fathom." <div> </div>
Mel C
 The singer became bulimic as a reaction to the fame she experienced in the Spice Girls. "I felt like I wasn't in control of my life, I was public property and I was fixated on my body image. Controlling my food was my way of fighting back and not feeling powerless," she told She magazine. She credits having her baby, Scarlet, with changing her relationship with her body into a positive one. "Having Scarlet hasn't just changed my life, she's saved it." <div> </div> <div> </div>
Alanis Morissette
 Morissette revealed she suffered from anorexia and bulimia as a teenager. In her blog on iVillage.com, she wrote: "We of the Hollywood standard-affected variety (read: sadly, the world) work tooth, nail and treadmill to adhere to this number (measuring tape, scale and otherwise) that hovers directly below any that would allow for a cupcake here and there... I remember being at my most thin one day, feeling like I could barely drag my lethargic body around, only to be met with the most compliments I had ever received. There are often traumas and abuses/neglect that are begging to be healed... I often find anxiety, fear, boredom, disappointment, loneliness, excitement and grief to be the top feelings food can attempt to prevent. My fraught relationship with food and fat has always been a cloaked invitation into a more profound kindness to myself (one I have so often ignored)." <div> </div>
Christina Ricci
 The Pan Am actress suffered from an eating disorder in her younger days, and body image issues that caused her to cover up all the mirrors in her house. She has blamed her disorder on family life rather than Tinsel Town, but Hollywood did contribute - in its own strange way. "At the time that I was starting to diet and stuff, I saw this TV movie, and I thought, 'Ooh - anorexia. I could probably do that,'" Ricci told The Guardian.
Lily Allen
 The singer-turned-retailer/designer admitted that she fell victim to the pressures of the spotlight, and began to suffer from bulimia. "It is not something I am proud of. But I tell you what, a lot of people used to come up to me and tell me how great I looked. And I was on the cover of every magazine with them saying, ‘Lily is looking amazing – look how much weight she has lost’. I thought I looked good. It was great to try on clothes and walk out of the shop feeling a million dollars. When you have been a victim of people saying the complete opposite, you want more of it. But I wasn’t happy, I really wasn’t. I would like to be the skinniest, mini-est person in the world, but I know I can’t do that without being unhappy. I like my food." <div> </div>
Portia De Rossi
 Portia De Rossi's struggles with eating began as early as age 12, but she hit her lowest point when she began working on the show Ally McBeal. "I weighed 5st 12lb when I collapsed on a film set in early 2000," she says. "I had osteoporosis and signs of cirrhosis of the liver. My potassium and electrolyte balance were at critical levels, threatening my organ function. I had to accept that I'd chosen the wrong road - one that led to sickness and death," she revealed in her autobiography. After she started eating again, she developed bulimia and her weight ballooned, and the star credits her wife, Elle DeGeneres, with helping her come to terms with her body. "We first met in 2001 when I weighed 168lb, but she says she never saw me as heavy - only the person inside."
Princess Diana
 In 1995, Diana admitted in a television interview that she had suffered from bulimia. "I had bulimia for a number of years. And that's like a secret disease. You inflict it upon yourself because your self-esteem is at a low ebb, and you don't think you're worthy or valuable." Once the news was revealed, there was an increase in the number of bulimia diagnoses, as many people felt more comfortable admitting their problem. This became known as the "Diana Effect."
Lady Gaga
 The singer recently opened up to a group of schoolchildren about her body image issues as a teen. "I used to throw up all the time in high school. So I'm not that confident. And maybe it's easier for me to talk about it now because I don't do it anymore," she said. "I wanted to be a skinny little ballerina but I was a voluptuous little Italian girl whose dad had meatballs on the table every night." She revealed she became bulimic, and it was singing that finally prompted her to stop - the acid was damaging her vocal chords. <div> </div> <div> </div>

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Filed under: In the news

Would-be star rabbit killed by film crew PA

A rabbit born with no ears at a zoo in eastern Germany was destined for global fame - until a cameraman who had come to film him accidentally stepped on him and killed him.

Til the rabbit was just three weeks old.

The Times reports that a press launch was planned for today, and baby Til was set to take centre stage.

But a clumsy cameraman, who was trying to get a close-up of the rabbit playing with his siblings, stepped back and trod on him.

Uwe Demplewolf, director of the Limbach-Oberfrohna Animal Park in Saxony, told Spiegel online:

"During the filming, the cameraman took a step back and trod on the bunny. He was immediately dead, he did not suffer.

"It was a direct hit. No one could have foreseen this. Everyone here is upset. The cameraman was distraught."

He added: "We had planned a news conference and we wanted to market it via the media because rabbits without ears are pretty rare."

Til's body has now been frozen, while the zoo decides whether to have him stuffed.

Would you go to a zoo to see a rabbit without ears? Let us know below...

Click on the image below to see some pets that will 'live' forever...

Freeze-dried pets

Freeze-drying chamber
 Employee Joe Pycke shows off the freeze-drying vacuum chamber.
Freeze-dried pets
 Dozens of freeze-dried pets on display in Anthony Eddy's Wildlife Studio in Slater, Missouri.
Lop-eared rabbit
 'I do accept that some people will find it weird, but it is growing in acceptance and what we do is a fine art,' says Anthony Eddy of the freeze-drying process.
Persian cat
 For your animal to be freeze-dried, it needs to be placed in the freezer within 48 hours of its death.
Border collie
 The freeze-drying process can take up to seven months.
Black-haired cat
 This black-haired cat gets positioned with the help of pins.
Chihuahua
 Sadly, this sprightly looking pet pooch isn't going to spring up and give you a cuddle.
Pomeranian
 Owner of Anthony Eddy's Wildlife Studio, Anthony Eddy, says: 'It is a very emotional thing for pet owners, they don't want to bury or cremate their beloved animal, and they want them to still be around.'
Reunited
 A pet owner is reunited with her beloved cat - now freeze-dried.
Beagle dog
 Anthony Eddy's Wildlife Studio in Slater, Missouri, U.S.A. uses special technology to freeze-dry your dead pet, like this beagle. The moisture is sucked from the animals' bodies as they're placed a minus nine degree freeze-dry chamber, so pets are frozen into realistic-looking positions.

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Filed under: Sex

Foods for better sex AP

From sexual aids to tiny blue pills, there are countless ways to spice up your sex life on offer. So why not try eating your way to some sexier between-the-sheets action?

Check out our gallery of top foods for better sex, to get your blood pumping and libido going - and watch the video below for your chance to win big with Rowntrees Randoms.

Foods for better sex

Almonds
 Almonds are rich in zinc, which is known to help increase libido and aid with fertility. You may want to give them a whiff too - the scent is purported to arouse women.
Avocados
 The Aztecs referred to avocados as "testicle trees" because of their shape and how they grew in pairs. But it's the heart-healthy unsaturated fats they're packed with that will ensure your bedroom antics can go on all day... and night.
Dark chocolate
 You might want to invest in some chocolate body sauce: researchers found that a compound in dark chocolate, phenylethylamine, releases the same endorphins as those produced by sex and increases sexual attraction. Sounds sweet.
Blueberries
 Blueberries are packed with fibre, which helps keep cholesterol levels low, and are also known for improving circulation, which will help stimulate blood flow to the genitals.
Eggs
 How about breakfast in bed? Eggs are high in B vitamins which help regulate hormone levels, and they also contain the amino acids essential for optimum sexual health.
Granola
 Yet another reason not to miss breakfast: Foods like granola and oatmeal are high in L-Arginine, which studies have found improves sexual function in men since it helps stimulate blood flow and improve circulation.
Strawberries
 High in zinc and antioxidants, strawberries are also a healthy way to get your energy levels up for a marathon session in the sack. Plus, we all know <a href="http://lifestyle.aol.co.uk/2012/02/09/simple-seduction-tips/" target="_blank">red is the colour of seduction</a>. Whipped cream optional.
Salmon
 Foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids, like oily fish such as salmon and mackerel, are good for your nervous system, circulation and heart - all essential ingredients in getting your sex life booming.
Peaches
 Peaches are a good source of Vitamin C, which helps boost sperm count and ensures a better quality of sperm. Frozen peaches have a higher concentration of the vitamin than fresh ones.
Oysters
 Oysters have a reputation for getting people in the mood for love for a reason. Their high zinc content helps with arousal, testosterone production and improved circulation.
Spinach
 Spinach and other green leafy vegetables have folate, which helps keep arteries unclogged and is beneficial for reproductive health. Spinach is also a good source of magnesium, which helps with better blood flow.
Steak
 If you think there's nothing sexier than a big slab of red meat, you're in luck: Steak lowers prolactin levels, a hormone which may interfere with arousal, and the protein from the meat will trigger feel-good dopamine in the brain.

Filed under: Food

Cake and Eat It: Irish coffee cake Jassy Davis

This week's recipe is an easy chocolate and coffee cake spiked with Irish whiskey to celebrate St Patrick's Day.

Irish coffee has the honour of being the one good thing to come out of airport catering. It was invented in the 1940s at Foynes Airbase, the precursor to Shannon Airport. American passengers would arrive at Foynes after an 18-hour seaplane ride, chilled and shivering.

The chef at Foynes restaurant, Joseph Sheridan, took pity on a collection of chilled passengers and added a shot of Irish whiskey and a pool of thick Irish cream to their coffee. The grateful travellers asked Joseph if they were drinking Brazilian coffee, to which he replied: "No, that's Irish coffee."

It's a drink that inspires a lot of love (and some indigestion if you try to round off a heavy dinner with one). I've used the flavours in this St Patrick's Day cake, with an added dash of sweet, earthy cocoa powder to guarantee that this coffee and whiskey-laced cake will be a hit with everyone.

Irish coffee cake

25 minutes to prepare, 20-25 minutes to cook

Serves 8

Cook's note: Suitable for vegetarians

For the sponge:

150g butter, softened

150g soft dark brown sugar

3 eggs, beaten

150g self-raising flour, sifted

1 tsp baking powder

40g cocoa powder

75ml strong coffee, cooled

For the icing:

150g butter, softened

225g icing sugar, sifted

1 tbsp strong coffee

1 tbsp Irish whiskey

10g dark chocolate, chilled

Preheat the oven to gas mark 4/180°C/fan oven 160°C. Grease and line the bases of 2 x 18cm sandwich tins. Set aside.

Beat the butter until creamy, then beat in the sugar until fluffy and combined. Beat in the eggs, a little at a time, until combined. Sift in the flour, baking powder and cocoa powder and stir to combine. Stir in the coffee.

Divide the cake batter between the tins, level and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the cakes are risen and springy to the touch. Cool in the tins for 5-10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Make the icing by beating the butter until soft and creamy. Sift in the icing sugar, a quarter at a time, and gently beat to combine. Beat in the coffee and whiskey to make a thick icing.

When the cakes are cool, place one cake on a serving plate, flat side up (if it's very peaky, trim the peak off to get a levelish base). Spread half the icing over the cake with a palette knife to evenly cover it. Place the second sponge, flat side down, on top of the icing and lightly press down. Top with the remaining icing and spread with a palette knife to cover.

Drag a vegetable peeler over the chocolate to make small curls. Sprinkle the chocolate over the top of the cake and serve. The cake will keep for 2-3 days in an airtight tin.

Filed under: In the news

A scratched knee or sore throat could be fatal Corbis

The World Health Organisation has warned that resistance to antibiotics could turn minor injuries or infections into untreatable diseases.

The Independent reports that Margaret Chan, director general of the WHO, believes that every antibiotic ever developed is at risk of becoming useless.

Speaking at a meeting of infectious disease experts in Copenhagen she said: "A post-antibiotic era means, in effect, an end to modern medicine as we know it. Things as common as strep throat or a child's scratched knee could once again kill.

"Antimicrobial resistance is on the rise in Europe, and elsewhere in the world. We are losing our first-line antimicrobials.

"Replacement treatments are more costly, more toxic, need much longer durations of treatments, and may require treatment in intensive care units.

"For patients infected with some drug-resistant pathogens, mortality has been shown to increase by around 50 per cent.

"Some sophisticated interventions, like hip replacements, organ transplants, cancer chemotherapy, and care of preterm infants, would become far more difficult or even too dangerous to undertake."

The Daily Mail reports that the microbes that cause the most common infections are already starting to resist drug treatment, meaning that they will become harder to treat.

This will make treatment more expensive and some conditions will become untreatable.

Ms Chan said that the changes of changing this were "dim", that the pipeline of new drugs was "virtually dry" and that "the cupboard is nearly bare".

She believes that many drugs have become less effective due to "misuse", and said that overuse of antibiotics had contributed to this increased resistance.

However, she believes that there are several ways to ease the situation, including making sure that prescriptions are only given out when absolutely necessary and ensuring that antibiotics are not used in food production.

Last month the UK Government pledged £500,000 for research into antibiotic resistance.

How often do you take antibiotics? Let us know below...

Click on the image below to find out which foods can boost your immune system...

Tips for boosting your immune system

Exercise regularly
 Regular moderate exercise helps stimulate the lymphatic system which ensures the efficient removal of bodily toxins; in addition, exercise like cycling, jogging, walking or swimming can help you relax and reduces stress, which is also known to weaken your immunity. A study found that brisk walking for at least 20 minutes a day helped reduce chances of catching a cold. In addition to exercising, maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding high blood pressure are also beneficial for your immunity. <div> </div>
Wash your hands
 So simple yet so effective, regular hand washing does play a role in reducing the spread of bacteria during cold and flu season (so it's important to keep it up even if your hands are <a href="http://lifestyle.aol.co.uk/2011/12/16/winter-skin-bargain-buys/" target="_self">dry and flaky from winter winds</a>). A study found that soap and water (and alcohol-based hand sanitisers) reduced the germ count on health care workers' hands by 58 per cent after 30 seconds of washing. Just note that while hand sanitiser does kill many bugs, it isn't very effective against norovirus, that nasty winter vomiting bug. <div> </div>
Get some rays
 Scientists have found that vitamin D can be crucial in boosting the immune system, particularly in helping the body to fight off serious infections. Get a daily dose from the sun (even on a cloudy day) or in vitamin D-rich foods like eggs, salmon and mackerel.
Stop smoking
 If you're still not convinced it's time to stop smoking, cigarettes can also hinder your immunity because they affect the health of blood vessels, making it harder for the body to fight off infections. In addition, smoking puts you at a higher risk for respiratory infections.
Sleep well
 The immune system is more vulnerable when the body is sleep-deprived since a good night's snooze allows time for our organs to replenish themselves. Aim for eight hours a night. Quality of sleep is also thought to be important for helping the immune system thrive, so reducing alcohol intake may help you achieve an optimal night of rest.

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Filed under: In the news

Oral cancer cases on the rise Corbis

New figures show that cases of oral cancer are on the rise, with men more likely to be affected than women.

The BBC reports that the figures from Cancer Research UK show a significant rise in the last decade, with 6,200 cases already this year, compared to 4,400 ten years ago.

Two thirds of those diagnosed were men and most cases occur in smokers, but heavy drinkers are also at greater risk.

The human papillomavirus (HPA), which is transmitted through oral sex, has also been linked to the rise.

Although up to eight out of 10 people in the UK are infected with HPV, it is harmless in most cases. However, high-risk strains of the virus are linked to oral, cervical and other genital cancers.

Symptoms of the disease include mouth ulcers and red or white patches in the mouth that won't heal. Oral cancers can take at least a decade to develop.

There have been particularly sharp rises in the incidence to two types of oral cancer linked to HPV: tumours on the base of the tongue, which have risen by almost 90 per cent from 284 to 595, and tonsil cancers, which have risen by 70 per cent from 573 to 1,052.

Richard Shaw, a Cancer Research UK expert in head and neck cancers, based at the Liverpool Cancer Research UK Centre, said: "We have noticed that patients with HPV-related oral cancers tend to be younger, are less likely to be smokers and have better outcomes than those whose tumours show no evidence of HPV."

Experts are now urging people to visit their GP if they have any concerns and, as dentists also play a key role in spotting any changes, it's wise to have regular check-ups.

How often do you visit your dentist? Let us know below...

Click on the image below for some tips on how to give up smoking...

Tips for stopping smoking

Get motivated
 Need some facts to help you stub out for good? Your blood pressure, pulse and body temperature return to normal within 20 minutes of your last cigarette, and eight hours after your last smoke, carbon monoxide levels and oxygen levels in the blood stream normalise. After two days, you'll be able to smell and taste better and within three months, your circulation will improve and lung function will be up by 30 per cent.
Prepare yourself for withdrawal symptoms
 It takes three to four days for nicotine to leave your system, and the withdrawal process isn't pleasant (although a tobacco craving will only last up to five minutes). You may experience a variety of side effects from coughs to headaches, as well as anxiety, exhaustion, depression, weight gain, irritability and nausea.
Avoid temptation
 If you love a cigarette with your evening drink or only tend to smoke when out with friends, think about a change of scene when quitting. Alcohol is considered a common smoking trigger, so you may want to reduce your trips to the pub for the next few months.
Get a support network
 Trying to quit smoking on your own is a tough challenge so you'll need a strong support network of friends, family and co-workers to keep you on the right track (and not offer you any cigarettes or temptation along the way). It may be easier to make the lifestyle change if you can get a friend or partner to quit at the same time.
Get help
 Different techniques work for different people, but there's no reason to quit cold turkey. From sprays to patches to gum, there are plenty of options that can help increase your chances of effectively quitting. Hypnotherapy has also been a useful tool for many former smokers and the NHS offers free help to smokers looking to quit.
Relax in other ways
 If smoking helps keep you calm, find other outlets for your stress, like yoga, meditation and exercise. Exercising will help ease your nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms, and working out can also help combat the weight gain that some smokers experience when they decide to quit.
Cut down on caffeine
 Whether coffee is a smoking trigger for you or not, cutting down on nicotine will make caffeine's effects on your system more pronounced. But don't try to completely quit drinking coffee at the same time - it will make stubbing out even harder.
Bin it
 When you make the commitment to quit, throw away all smoking paraphernalia like lighters and ashtrays as well as cigarettes, give your place a good clean and wash the smoky stench from your clothes. Not having reminders of your smoking days will help you start afresh.
Try, then try again
 It often takes more than one shot to quit smoking successfully - it is an addiction, after all. A 2011 study from Lancaster University revealed that on average it takes five years and seven attempts to give up smoking for good, so don't let it get you down if you didn't manage to quit on your first try. Just think about the reasons it didn't work out and commit to success the next time.
Make a list of reasons to quit
 Whether you're looking to get healthy or save a bit of cash, it's useful to write down a list of reasons why you want to stub out. Whenever you're feeling the temptation of lighting up again, just cast a quick glance over this list to stay motivated.

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Filed under: In the news

Sleep deprivation makes you consume 500 extra calories per day Getty

People who don't get enough sleep could find that they are eating the equivalent of an extra meal a day, warn scientists.

The Daily Mail reports that a new study from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, found that sleep-deprived volunteers ate far more than those who were sleeping normally.

Researchers studied 17 healthy men and women for eight nights, with half of them sleeping normally and half sleeping for two-thirds of their normal time, which worked out an an average of five hours and ten minutes.

Participants were allowed to eat as much as they wanted, but those who slept for one hour and 20 minutes less than the control group consumed an average of an extra 549 calories per day - the equivalent of an extra meal of burger and chips.

The amount of energy consumed by the two groups didn't change, so those who slept less didn't burn more calories and, as a result, were at a greater risk of becoming obese.

Virend Somers, author of the study and professor of medicine at cardiovascular disease at the Mayo Clinic, said: "We tested whether lack of sleep altered the levels of the hormones leptin and ghrelin [which are associated with appetite], increased the amount of food people ate and affected energy burned through activity."

Andrew Calvin, assistant professor of medicine at the Mayo Clinic, added: "Sleep deprivation is a growing problems, with 28 per cent of adults now reporting that they get six or fewer hours of sleep per night."

The Telegraph reports that leptin levels increased and ghrelin levels fell in the sleep deprived. Professor Somers said that this might be because volunteers gained weight over the eight days, and "the more fat you have the more leptin you produce."

He said: "Many young people spend hours at night using technology, on websites like Facebook, which is stopping them from sleeping enough. Is that having an impact on obesity? It may be the case."

However the researchers stressed that this was a small study conducted in the hospital's research unit, and larger studies would be needed to confirm the findings.

How much sleep do you get each night? Let us know below...

Click on the image below for some crazy new diet tricks...

Crazy new diet tricks

Eat with chopsticks
 According to Daspin, eating food more slowly can help women stay slim. One of the tricks for eating smaller mouthfuls is using chopsticks instead of cutlery.
Buy expensive ingredients
 Daspin encourages readers to buy expensive ingredients and produce instead of the cheap stuff - to encourage dieters to use sparingly. She also urges dieters to buy small portions rather than bulk sizes, and to cook fresh produce as often as possible.
Dilute alcohol
 According to Daspin, one weight-loss tip from Manhattanites is to dilute alcoholic beverages with water or ice.
A sweet treat
 Looking for a healthy sweet treat? According to the author, adding milk to green tea tastes just like "melted green tea ice cream."
Avoid sauces
 Sauces are avoided by New York women but one friend of Daspin's orders string beans and rice from the Chinese takeaway because the "oil on the string beans is enough to moisturise the rice." Another friend avoids the temptation of leftovers by throwing them away - and pouring water over them beforehand.
'Taste everything, but eat almost nothing'
 Eileen Daspin, author of the new book, The Manhattan Diet, advises readers to indulge in tiny tastes of high-calorie food, according to the New York Post. "I use a teaspoon to scoop up a few grains of risotto," she writes. "I taste everything but eat almost nothing." Daspin also says that New York women don't keep temptation foods like peanut butter in the house, preferring to snack on "appetite-control cracker" GG Bran Crispbread.

Be a fan of Lifestyle on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter! | Sign up to our newsletter

Filed under: In the news

White rice increases risk of diabetes Getty

US scientists have warned that regularly eating white rice could increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The Express reports that researchers at Harvard School of Public Health in Boston believe that high consumption of white rice could explain why there is a much higher incidence of the condition among South Asian, African and African-Caribbean communities.

Writing in the British Medical Journal, the authors conclude: "We found that higher rice consumption was associated with a significantly elevated risk of type 2 diabetes."

The research team looked at two studies involving 350,000 people. They took into account a number of factors, including people's weight, activity levels and diet. All of the participants were free from diabetes at the start of the studies.

Over the next four to 22 years, around 13,200 of them developed the condition.

The researchers said that people from China and Japan have a much higher white rice intake than those in the West, averaging three to four servings a day, compared to our one or two servings a week. However, they believe that this could be enough to modestly increase the risk.

Type 2 diabetes is up to six times more common in South Asian communities than in the UK population as a whole, and three times more common among people of African and African-Caribbean descent.

However, other experts have warned that further studies are needed to determine a conclusive link.

Catherine Collins, principal dietician at St George's Hospital, London told The Express: "The review findings suggested the risk of developing type 2 diabetes was higher in the Asian population but whether this was due to higher daily intakes of rice or to a genetic predisposition could not be determined from this research."

Have you swapped white rice for brown? Let us know below...

Click on the image below to find out which foods aren't as healthy as they look...

Not-so-healthy 'healthy' foods

Ready-made salads
 Putting the word 'salad' at the end of a food description doesn't make it healthy, unfortunately. So watch out for high-fat dressings, mayo and add-ons like cheese and croutons. Your best bet is to make your own; short of that, opt for a salad with vegetables and a protein and top off with a balsamic vinaigrette.
Cereal
 While cereals are vitamin-fortified, they may not be the best start to your day since many are still packed with sugar (a recent report from the U.S. found that several have more sugar per serving than a handful of chocolate chip cookies). If you love starting your morning off with a bowlful, then choose a cereal with high fibre content and under 10g (ideally under 5g) of sugar per serving.
Energy bars
 If you're trying to stave off calories with a meal replacement energy bar, you may be consuming more than you bargained for. Many are filled with added sugar, high-fructose corn syrup and saturated fats, not to mention loads of calories. Be sure to read the nutrition label - some energy bars have more in common with candy bars than you'd like.
Turkey burger
 If you think ditching red meat from your diet and replacing that hamburger with a 'lean' turkey burger is a healthy option, think again. Depending on the type of turkey used, the meal can be just as high in fat and calories as its beef alternative.
Muffins
 If you've conned yourself into thinking that muffins are healthy (they have blueberries! and bran!) it's time for a reality check. They are high in calories, fat and sugar - it's like eating cake for breakfast.
Sports drinks
 Sure, they give you an energy boost, but consuming too many sports and energy drinks can also leave you jittery from caffeine and can wear down tooth enamel from all of the acidity, sugars and additives.
Dried fruit
 While dried fruit might seem like a healthy snack alternative, watch the quantity you consume - since there's no water in it to fill you up, it's easy to guzzle handfuls at once which piles on the calories. It also has a high concentration of sugar.
Reduced fat and fat-free foods
 While 'fat-free' and reduced-fat foods may sound like a blissful invention, they can actually lead you to consume more (since they seem 'healthier'). The fat is often replaced with other undesirable alternatives like added sugar and salt.
Smoothies
 Smoothies shouldn't be a fruit replacement - they have lots of sugar and are high in calories (a large size can give you over 500 in one go). Also, if you're ordering the drink in a shop, it could get blended with ice cream - delicious, yes, but not ideal for a weight-loss regimen.

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Filed under: In the news

Official documents rewritten to remove the terms 'husband' and 'wife' Getty

Marriage certificates, tax forms and other official documents could all be revised to remove the words 'husband' and 'wife'.

New reforms, proposed by the Coalition Government, intend to allow civil marriage for gay and lesbian couples for the first time.

The Daily Mail reports that this will mean that official forms need to be rewritten so that they no longer assume that a married couple is made up of a man and a woman.

This means that the words 'husband' and 'wife' will be replaced with more neutral terms such as 'partner' or 'spouse', and 'bride' and 'bridegroom' could also be replaced.

According to the Daily Mail, businesses will be given 'lead-in time' to change their websites and databases, so that their failure to recognise same-sex marriage doesn't fall foul of the law.

A consultation paper, produced by Home Secretary Theresa May and Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone, has set aside three months for public response before the new legislation is drawn up.

An 'impact analysis' published by the Home Office said that UK Border Agency forms would replace 'husbands and wives' with 'spouses and partners'.

It added: "Some tax, National Insurance Contributions and tax credit legislation will have to be changed where there is a specific reference to a husband and wife."

References to husband and wife or 'couples living together as husband and wife' will all be removed and forms and IT systems will all have to change to support the change in terminology.

The proposals have triggered a great deal of fury, especially among religious groups.

However, Lynne Featherstone said yesterday: "I believe that if a couple love each other and want to commit to a life together, they should have the option of a civil marriage, whatever their gender."

Do you support the civil marriage proposals? Let us know below...

Click on the image below to find out which celebrity marriage have lasted for years...

Long-lasting celebrity marriages

Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick: Married 14 years
With three kids and two careers to juggle, SJP is the first to admit her relationship has been through its share of ups and downs, telling the Telegraph that "kids can really distract you from your relationship." Their secret? To keep secrets. SJP told Parade.com: "I like having some mystery in our relationship. I like not knowing everything about my husband. I think people should have things that are theirs, things that are the unknown to someone else. I think it's good to have some privacy and some secrets in our lives."</div> <div> </div>
David Bowie and Iman: Married 19 years
 The rock god and model goddess pairing is a common one, but what's unusual about these two is that they've stuck it out for so long. One reason it works? Only one of them's a fighter. Iman told Harper's Bazaar US that: "David doesn't fight. He is English, so he just stays quiet. I'm the screamer. Then he always makes me laugh. It's like cabaret. I keep him entertained too. I still fancy him - totally! - after all these years." <div> </div> <div> </div>
Elton John and David Furnish: Civil partnership since 2005; together 12 years before that
 Elton and David further cemented their relationship in 2005, when they became fathers via surrogate to baby Zachary. How do they make it work after all of these years? John told Parade magazine in 2010 that they say it in writing. "Every Saturday for 16 years, we've sent each other a card, no matter where we are in the world, to say how much we love each other."
Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas: Married 15 1/2 years
 The two actors have been through thick and thin together (including Griffith's multiple stints in rehab for prescription pill and alcohol abuse), but look cosier and happier than ever. In fact, as Banderas told Hello! magazine back in 2010, it was their obstacles that strengthened their union: "... there were people who literally didn’t give us more than six months! But we love each other and above all we love our family. We’ve figured out how to get past obstacles - and some of them have been really tough ones - in our relationship; and if you get past those you only get stronger... We keep moving forward, and each day we become even more united."
Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell: Happily unmarried for 27 years
 Goldie and Kurt still look as happy as they did when they started dating in 1983. Perhaps it's because they never tied the knot. On US chat show The View in September 2011, Hawn said: "We're not gonna get married. I mean, we're happy. I still like the idea that I'm his girlfriend."
David and Victoria Beckham: Married 12 years
 After over a decade together, four children, three countries and multiple career changes for Victoria, these two seem inseparable. Victoria says they are "soul mates" and David has admitted that what he loves most about his wife is that she's "an amazing mother." The soccer star told Hello! magazine that they always make time for each other and have a 'date night' once a week, while Victoria explained they focus on the kids and the relationship to keep things strong: "You go into a marriage knowing there are going to be ups and downs. We’re in the public eye so we have more to deal with than most. We accepted that years ago. It’s just about us and the family."
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson: Married 23 years
 The Hollywood power couple is also one of Tinseltown's longest-standing relationships, with 23 years and two kids under their belt. Wilson has said that the secret to their wedded bliss is that "we want to be married to each other" and told Success magazine that: "We have a great time together; we have shared values and a desire to be committed to each other." <div> </div> <div> </div>
Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick: Married 23 years
 The man who famously said the secret to a happy marriage is to "keep the fights clean and the sex dirty" opened up to Piers Morgan on CNN about his devotion to his wife and why he wouldn't stray: "I feel like I made a commitment to this person and we enjoy spending time together, and I don't want to do anything that's going to threaten that."
Annette Bening and Warren Beatty: Married 20 years
 Once Hollywood's most notorious bad-boy, Beatty has been happily married to Bening for two decades and the duo have four children together. The secret to their success? Making time for themselves. "I'll tell you one secret to keeping the spark there: I think you've got to get away, just the two of you, with no kids. And you've got to spend time alone; you need to cultivate your own sense of self and nurture that as well," Bening said in the past.
Sting and Trudie Styler: Married 20 years; together for a decade before
 Sting and Trudie have famously kept the flame of love burning with tantric sex sessions, and even though their all-night long lovemaking may have been exaggerated, the two certainly keep their bedroom antics exciting. "I don't think pedestrian sex is very interesting," Sting told US Harper's Bazaar in 2011. "There's a playfulness we have; I like the theater of sex. I like to look good. I like her to dress up." As for romance, Trudie doesn't expect flowers or chocolates on special occasions. "Romantic? We like tawdry," he told the mag. <div> </div> <div> </div>

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Filed under: In the news

Could you lose weight by inhaling your dessert? Vaportrim

It can be tough to stick to a diet if you've got a sweet tooth and can't resist dessert. But a US diet company has come up with a calorie-free solution: inhalable desserts.

With flavours including Apple Pie, Raspberry Cheesecake, Cinnamon Bun and Vanilla Cupcake, there's something to appeal to every taste. And if desserts aren't your thing, you can choose from Milk Chocolate, Pina Colada cocktail or Caramel Frappe.

The zero calorie treats are manufactured by a company called Vaportrim. They are designed to work with your sense of smell and taste to satisfy cravings so that you feel full and eat less.

Could you lose weight by inhaling your dessert? Vaportrim

The Vaportrim website says that research has shown that 70-75 per cent of what you taste actually comes from what you smell. As appetite and smell are closely connected, studies have shown that our sense of smell can trigger feelings of fullness before our stomach does.

Each Vaportrim tube contains over 50 servings - you just hold the tube to your mouth and inhale - and you exhale only water vapour. It doesn't contain any drugs, stimulants, diuretics or fat blockers and it can be used as a part of any weight loss plan.

According to Stylist, Vaportrim is already a big hit in Hollywood - and Time magazine reported that they were included in the Oscar gift bags.

The Vaportrim website is packed with testimonials from dieters who say they have lost lots of weight without feeling deprived.

One user, posting as 'Sarah', gives the product a 5-star review and writes: "I try to watch what I eat but always have a hard time saying no to dessert. Vapotrim has really helped me overcome that obstacle. Instead of most diets that make you feel constricted, Vapotrim allows me to feel like I'm indulging! I can taste all my favourite dessert flavours without the guilt. I'm hooked..."

At the moment, Vaportrim is only available in the US, but it's surely only a matter of time before it makes it across the pond...

Would you like to try Vaportrim? Let us know below...

Click on the image below for some more new diet tricks...

Crazy new diet tricks

Eat with chopsticks
 According to Daspin, eating food more slowly can help women stay slim. One of the tricks for eating smaller mouthfuls is using chopsticks instead of cutlery.
Buy expensive ingredients
 Daspin encourages readers to buy expensive ingredients and produce instead of the cheap stuff - to encourage dieters to use sparingly. She also urges dieters to buy small portions rather than bulk sizes, and to cook fresh produce as often as possible.
Dilute alcohol
 According to Daspin, one weight-loss tip from Manhattanites is to dilute alcoholic beverages with water or ice.
A sweet treat
 Looking for a healthy sweet treat? According to the author, adding milk to green tea tastes just like "melted green tea ice cream."
Avoid sauces
 Sauces are avoided by New York women but one friend of Daspin's orders string beans and rice from the Chinese takeaway because the "oil on the string beans is enough to moisturise the rice." Another friend avoids the temptation of leftovers by throwing them away - and pouring water over them beforehand.
'Taste everything, but eat almost nothing'
 Eileen Daspin, author of the new book, The Manhattan Diet, advises readers to indulge in tiny tastes of high-calorie food, according to the New York Post. "I use a teaspoon to scoop up a few grains of risotto," she writes. "I taste everything but eat almost nothing." Daspin also says that New York women don't keep temptation foods like peanut butter in the house, preferring to snack on "appetite-control cracker" GG Bran Crispbread.

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Filed under: Celebrity

Claire from Steps hits back at claims that she's too fat to dance PA

Earlier this week, it was reported that Claire Richards had gained too much weight to keep up with dance routines in the Steps reunion tour.

But now Claire has spoken out and says that the rumours are "rubbish".

She told The Sun: "The stories circulating about me struggling with dance moves are complete rubbish.

"I don't know where that has come from. Maybe someone has thought, 'Oh, she's bigger than the others so she must struggling'. It's not an issue. It is just one of these things. People have just got to be nasty sometimes.

"I am putting in as much work and effort as everybody else."

The rumours started when an unnamed source told the Daily Star that Claire's band mates were worried that she couldn't keep up.

The Daily Mail reported that the source said: "Clare has always had a problem with her weight and at the moment she's heavier than she was last year.

"It's a concern for the others because they want to put on the best show ever and that includes some big dance numbers.

"If Claire can't keep up then it's going to look a mess. We want it to be all right on the night and we've got a battle on our hands."

While Clare admits that the punishing dance routines are challenging, she told The Sun that she's confident that she can keep up.

She said: "It is tough - it's a two-hour show, dancing for pretty much the whole thing. Just because I am a bigger size, I am no less fit than anybody else. It's c**p.

"You can run every day and be fit and be put in the situation that we are all in and you are using muscles you didn't even know you had.

"It's not as simple as someone being fit and someone not being fit - or someone being a size 16 and someone being a size 8."

In fact, she says that she's finding the dance routines easier than ever before.

She says: "It's all going well. I don't know if it's because I'm a bit older now but I seem to be much more focused and picking up choreography better than I ever did.

"I'm not a trained dancer so that was always something I struggled with. Now we are just making sure it all looks perfect. I am in the middle of rehearsals at the moment, so it is a bit manic but really good."

Now she says that she's got no intention of dieting back down to a size 8 and says: "Being a size 16 doesn't mean you don't look good.

"It is important to remember that a size 16 is the average size of a woman in the UK. It is odd how these women are made to feel like they are not the norm but they are."

Do you think that Claire is a good role model for size 16 women? Let us know below...

Click on the image below for some stress-fighting workouts...

Stress-fighting workouts

Boxing
 If you're feeling like you want to punch somebody's face in... don't. But do channel that aggression into a heart-pumping boxing or kickboxing workout. It's a great way to tone up and clear your mind of that pent-up anxiety.
Running
 The endorphin release you get from running sends a rush of feel-good, calming energy through your body. Make sure you get a few sprints in, too - according to a study from the University of Essex, a 30-second sprint can leave you feeling happy for up to 90 minutes afterwards thanks to the build-up of noradrenaline.
Swimming
 A relaxing environment, like a calming pool, can help keep you calm and focused on your breathing. Swimming is also a great way to tone up your arms and legs.
Yoga
 Yoga and meditation are a great way to reduce stress - it's even been proven. Researchers at Harvard Medical School found that around thirty minutes of meditation and gentle yoga per day led to decreased grey matter density in the part of the brain associated with stress and anxiety. Another study found that a 10-week yoga programme helped alleviate anxiety symptoms in veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Dancing
 A workout doesn't have to feel like a workout. Sometimes the best way to relax is by moving to your favourite beat. Joining a dance class will also have you feeling body-confident since it provides overall conditioning and tones all your muscle groups.
Walking
 If your work or home environment is leaving you frazzled, taking a walk can help clear your head - and burn calories. Don't push yourself to go too quickly, but focus instead on finding a relaxing new park or open space to enjoy. Going first thing in the morning can set your day on the right path.

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Filed under: In the news

Survey shows that men prefer their mum's cooking to their wife's Getty

It's probably not what you want to hear if you feel like you spend hours slaving away in the kitchen, but a new survey indicates that the average bloke prefers his mother's cooking.

The Telegraph reports that a new survey from Food Network UK found that men prefer the traditional, hearty meals that are served up by their mum - and like the fact that they don't rely on ready meals and always make an effort to cook something they know he likes.

To make matters worse, one in four men often sneak round to their mums for dinner without their wife or girlfriend knowing.

Unsurprisingly, the study also revealed that more than one in ten men think their wife feels under pressure to live up to her mother-in-law's cooking abilities. It probably doesn't help that 47 per cent of men complain to their partner if the food isn't good enough - although 20 per cent say they do it in a 'jokey' way, so as not to hurt her feelings.

However, one in ten men admit to moaning all the time if they're not happy with their dinner, and the same amount have refused to eat their partner's cooking.

Even worse, 13 per cent of the men polled have suggested that their partner should taking cooking advice from his mum. This caused 'upset' in two thirds of relationships.

Food Network spokesperson Nick Thorogood said: "It's quite endearing men prefer their mothers cooking.

"As adults, men still seek the comfort and tradition of the cooking they have grown up with so turn to their mums for what they perceive as a 'proper meal'.

"A lot of the best recipes Brits have are likely to have been handed down to them from their mums and Mother's Day is the perfect time for people to put those cooking tips to good use and surprise their mum with a home-cooked meal.

"Saying that, it's gracious to appreciate any food - regardless of who has cooked it for you."

Do you think that your fella prefers his mum's cooking? Let us know below...

Click on the image below for some healthy lunch ideas...

Five healthy lunch ideas

Tomato soup
 Store-bought soups are often packed with hidden salt, so buy your own fresh veggies and make a tasty tomato soup (an especially welcome treat in the cold winter months). Top it off with some yoghurt for added flavour.
Couscous salad
 Trying to be healthy by eating spinach leaves every day is pretty uninspiring, so skip the leafy salad one day and try a couscous and Mediterranean vegetable version instead. It only takes five minutes to cook, and you can keep it exciting by swapping the veg for beans and nuts to amp up the protein.
Falafel and pitta sandwich
 If you're craving the taste of something fried, a baked falafel and hummous sandwich is a high-protein option that's veggie-friendly, tastes delicious and has more nutritional value than any fried fast food alternative. Add some tomatoes and lettuce to garnish and finish off with a low-fat Greek yoghurt.
Bean salad
 For a low-cal, high-protein lunch with lots of flavour, try a bean salad. You can toss a few different bean varieties together (like cannellini, garbanzo and kidney, for example), mix tuna and white beans for a winning combo or team beans with brown rice and goat or feta cheese.
Chicken mango wrap
 There's a misconception that healthier options aren't as flavoursome as their highly caloric counterparts. This chicken and mango wrap packs a lot of flavour into an easy meal - just add some peppers and avocado to tantalise your tastebuds. Or try another protein/veg combo wrap with pesto or salsa instead of your usual mayo-filled sandwich.

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Filed under: Food

One-Pot Winter Warmers: Gambas Pil Pil Helen Graves

This week's recipe is a classic Spanish tapas dish called gambas pil pil; prawns cooked simply in olive oil with lots of chilli and garlic.

This is one of my favourite tapa; the key to its success is in using a few simple ingredients but using them very generously indeed. Make sure to use the loveliest fresh prawns you can find - raw is best. They're to be sizzled in a heady mixture of sliced garlic, plenty of dried chilli and the best extra virgin olive oil you can lay your hands on.

This is one of those stellar little dishes that is just simplicity itself to put together, yet is smart enough to hold its own in pretty much any scenario. Serve it as is traditional, with informal drinks, as a light lunch on its own or as a starter at dinner. There is one time and one time only I wouldn't recommend gambas pil pil, and that is when you find yourself entertaining a date; there's a lot of garlic going in that dish and it's not optional.

Personally, I like this to be extra fiery. Do adjust the heat level to taste but remember, this is not meant to be a timid dish. It's packed with ballsy flavours and dramatic, sizzling style. Once the prawns are devoured it's on to that flavoured oil, so make sure to have plenty of fresh bread ready for dipping.

Gambas Pil Pil (serves 4)

I've given approximate quantities for this dish as really it depends on the size of the prawns and whether you want to serve this as a starter or a standalone dish. Don't fear though, it's not possible to go wrong.

About 8-10 raw prawns per person, depending on size

Hot paprika

4 cloves garlic, sliced thinly

4 dried red chillies

Extra virgin olive oil

Parsley, finely chopped

Lemon wedges and bread, to serve

Preheat the oven to 220C

You will need 4 little oven-proof dishes. Traditionally, the Spanish would use those little terracotta-coloured tapas dishes but any small oven dish will do.

Peel and devein the prawns, leaving the tails for presentation if you like. Dust them lightly with paprika, then divide them evenly between the four dishes. Divide the garlic and chillies between the dishes also and cover each dish of prawns with three tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.

Cook the prawns for 6-8 minutes or until pink and sizzling. Garnish with parsley and a lemon wedge and serve in the dish with plenty of bread for dipping.

Filed under: In the news

Getty

If you thought that most women could be described as either apple-shaped or pear-shaped, think again.

The Sun reports that a survey for the Vitality Show, which takes part at London's Earl's Court this week, has found that women can also be shaped like a butternut squash, a head of broccoli, a carrot or an aubergine.

The butternut squash is the most common, with one in five women - including Kelly Brook and Mad Men star Christina Hendricks - having this body shape.

Butternut squashes have similar bust and hip measurements, but their waist is smaller by about 10 inches, creating the classic hourglass shape.

One in four British women are tall, slim carrot shapes, which means that their bust and hips are wider than their waists, but only by around six-to-eight inches.

Almost a quarter (23 per cent) are pears, which means that they have a small bust and their waist is at least 10 inches smaller than their hips.

A further 18 per cent of women are apple shaped, which means that their waist measurement is almost the same, or larger than, their waist and hips. At most, there is usually only two-to-four inches difference between all three.

Fewer than six per cent of women are shaped like broccoli or aubergines.

Broccoli shapes are top heavy, with their bust measurement being the biggest and their waist and hips roughly the same size.

Aubergines are ladies like Adele and Claire Richards, whose hips are wider than their bust and their waist, which isn't strongly defined, falls somewhere between the two.

Are you a carrot, an aubergine or a pear? Let us know below...

Click on the image below to see which celebs don't dress their age...

Celebrities who don't dress their age

Katie Holmes: 33
 The young star - and Mrs. Tom Hanks - has a tendency of dressing frumpy for her age, on the red carpet and in real life.
Pamela Anderson: 44
 If you've made your name showing off your body in the buff, it must be hard to come to terms with the ageing process (and normal dressing). Pamela Anderson's penchant for showing too much skin (and this semi-sheer, flesh-hued dress) is definitely age-inappropriate.
Cher: 65
 At a certain point, you have to stop wearing fishnets every time you make a red carpet appearance. That point should probably come well before you hit 40, but Cher continues to show off her enviable figure in fishnets, platforms and sequinned micro skirts and dresses.
Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen: 25
 The Olsen twins have established themselves as style stars and budding designers to watch, but their brand of granny chic (covered from neck to ankle, wrapped in furs) is tough to pull off for most girls in their twenties.
Helen Mirren: 66
 Renowned for her style and fabulous-over-sixty dress sense, Mirren likes to flaunt her cleavage and wear trend-led outfits you might expect to find a younger star in, like this hot pink and red colour-blocked frock and cardigan with pink platforms.
Lindsay Lohan: 25
 The 25-year-old star has long been an icon in inappropriate dressing (have you seen what she's worn to court?) but lately, she's dressing older than ever. Is mother Dina her new style icon?
Demi Moore: 49
 With her micro dresses and pin-straight, mid-back length long hair, Demi looks like 23-year-old daughter Rumer's older sister, not mother.
Sharon Stone: 53
 When Sharon isn't wearing head-to-toe leather, she opts for a fitted mini-dress, lacy tights, and patent stripper-style platforms. And this is what she wears out to lunch.
Taylor Momsen: 18
 Would you let your 18-year-old leave the house dressed like this?
Nancy Dell'Olio: 50
 We thought latex was reserved for Katy Perry and Halloween. It's definitely a questionable fabric for a  frock, especially one worn by a 50-year-old.
Taylor Swift: 22
 While we appreciate that Taylor isn't the type to show too much skin, the 22-year-old's style - high-necked, overly embellished frocks - veers too old (and princessy) for a modern-day pop star.
Madonna: 53
 She has the body of a twenty-something and refuses to stop wearing those skimpy leotards. But a basque, fishnets, and over-the-knee lace-up boots on a night out? It's too much, even for Queen Madge.
Carol Vorderman: 51
 The Loose Women presenter who's famed for her love of body-hugging frocks was told to <a href="http://lifestyle.aol.co.uk/2011/10/05/carol-vorderman-ordered-to-tone-down-her-sexy-pride-of-britain-o/" target="_blank">'tone down' the cleavage for 2011's Pride of Britain ceremony</a>. Now that's got to be a sign you're dressing too young for your age - and too hot for TV.
Miley Cyrus: 19
 There is a time and a place for showing cleavage (never this much, though) and it shouldn't be happening before your 20th (or 25th) birthday.
Kim Cattrall: 55
 Cattrall has definitely taken some style tips from sexy alter-ego Samantha Jones, and likes to flaunt her figure on the red carpet. She looks fantastic in this plunge-neck jumpsuit, but is the  combination of cleavage and a skin-tight outfit too much?
Elle MacPherson: 47
 The Body likes to show off her body in skintight leather trousers and dresses and tiny hotpants. We can't blame her, but we do wonder if turning 50 will make the supermodel tone down her wild dressing style.
Ivana Trump: 63
 The famous divorcee shows no signs of changing her glitzy fashion sense anytime soon and loves to wear ultra-bright revealing dresses that would be better suited to a thirty-something.
Dolly Parton: 66
 She famously modelled her looks after the town tramp, and Dolly sees no reason to tone down the glitz in her sixties.

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Filed under: Health & wellbeing

Tips and tricks for quitting smoking PA

Whether you're looking to get fitter, save some money and time or just want to get a hot date (singletons say smoking is the biggest turnoff), quitting smoking is a life-changing decision with numerous benefits, especially for your health.

It isn't easy and it isn't fun, but once you're motivated to stop smoking, the positives outweigh the negatives - check out the gallery below for top tips on how to quit smoking cigarettes. Good luck!

Tips for stopping smoking

Get motivated
 Need some facts to help you stub out for good? Your blood pressure, pulse and body temperature return to normal within 20 minutes of your last cigarette, and eight hours after your last smoke, carbon monoxide levels and oxygen levels in the blood stream normalise. After two days, you'll be able to smell and taste better and within three months, your circulation will improve and lung function will be up by 30 per cent.
Prepare yourself for withdrawal symptoms
 It takes three to four days for nicotine to leave your system, and the withdrawal process isn't pleasant (although a tobacco craving will only last up to five minutes). You may experience a variety of side effects from coughs to headaches, as well as anxiety, exhaustion, depression, weight gain, irritability and nausea.
Avoid temptation
 If you love a cigarette with your evening drink or only tend to smoke when out with friends, think about a change of scene when quitting. Alcohol is considered a common smoking trigger, so you may want to reduce your trips to the pub for the next few months.
Get a support network
 Trying to quit smoking on your own is a tough challenge so you'll need a strong support network of friends, family and co-workers to keep you on the right track (and not offer you any cigarettes or temptation along the way). It may be easier to make the lifestyle change if you can get a friend or partner to quit at the same time.
Get help
 Different techniques work for different people, but there's no reason to quit cold turkey. From sprays to patches to gum, there are plenty of options that can help increase your chances of effectively quitting. Hypnotherapy has also been a useful tool for many former smokers and the NHS offers free help to smokers looking to quit.
Relax in other ways
 If smoking helps keep you calm, find other outlets for your stress, like yoga, meditation and exercise. Exercising will help ease your nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms, and working out can also help combat the weight gain that some smokers experience when they decide to quit.
Cut down on caffeine
 Whether coffee is a smoking trigger for you or not, cutting down on nicotine will make caffeine's effects on your system more pronounced. But don't try to completely quit drinking coffee at the same time - it will make stubbing out even harder.
Bin it
 When you make the commitment to quit, throw away all smoking paraphernalia like lighters and ashtrays as well as cigarettes, give your place a good clean and wash the smoky stench from your clothes. Not having reminders of your smoking days will help you start afresh.
Try, then try again
 It often takes more than one shot to quit smoking successfully - it is an addiction, after all. A 2011 study from Lancaster University revealed that on average it takes five years and seven attempts to give up smoking for good, so don't let it get you down if you didn't manage to quit on your first try. Just think about the reasons it didn't work out and commit to success the next time.
Make a list of reasons to quit
 Whether you're looking to get healthy or save a bit of cash, it's useful to write down a list of reasons why you want to stub out. Whenever you're feeling the temptation of lighting up again, just cast a quick glance over this list to stay motivated.

Filed under: In the news

Expert calls for pre-watershed ban on junk food ads Getty

Scotland's public health minister Michael Matheson has called for a pre-watershed ban on television adverts for foods that are high in fat, sugar and salt.

The BBC reports that Mr Matheson has written to UK Health Secretary Andrew Lansley asking him to support a UK-wide ban.

Although broadcasting regulator Ofcom have already introduced a ban on advertising unhealthy foods on children's television, research suggests that further action is needed as children don't just watch children's programmes.

Mr Matheson said: "According to the UN and Ofcom studies, the restrictions brought in by Ofcom have been adhered to by children's channels and broadcasters showing programmes specifically aimed at children.

"However, a loophole exists that allows HFSS (high in fat, sugar and salt) food adverts to features during programmes with a high child audience such as soaps and talent shows.

"That's why we want to introduce a pre-watershed ban and are looking to the UK government to support such a move which would carry the additional benefit of encouraging our partners in the food industry to reformulate their produce to lower salt, fat and sugar content."

He added: "Broadcast advertising influences the choices made by children and can shape their attitudes to food as they grow into adulthood.

"Tackling obesity and encouraging people to make healthier life choices is one of the most important things we can do to improve the health of our nation."

Jane Landon, deputy chief executive of the National Heart Forum, told the BBC that she welcomed the call for a ban.

She said: "The existing rules have delivered protections in principle but not in practice."

The Express reports that the adverts which would be banned include those for McDonalds, Cadbury's chocolate, Domino's pizza and Walker's crisps.

Ian Barber from the Advertising Association told The Express: "I can see why the Scottish Government support this.

"It makes good headlines and looks like you're doing something but there are better ways to tackle child obesity."

Do you think there should be a pre-watershed ban on junk food ads? Let us know below...

Click on the image below to find out how to cut back on sugar...

Tips for cutting back on sugar

Cut out white bread
 Delicious, abundant and essentially a slow-burning, high-carb version of sugar, white bread isn't doing your health or your waistline any favours. Try swapping for a whole wheat version or start cutting it out of your meals entirely - from sandwiches to pizza, it may be sneaking into your diet all day long.
Stop drinking soda
 Sweetened drinks are dangerous since you're consuming lots of hidden sugar without even realising it, and drinking too much soda can lead to unwanted weight gain. Even sipping on diet soda can give you the urge for more sweet treats. Substitute with water, tea - or if you're desperate for that carbonated flavour - add a bit of fresh fruit juice to soda water.
Eat more fruit
 Fruit contains natural sugars, but it's also packed with fibre and vitamins, making it a healthier way to get your sugar fix. You can even swap in some pureed fruit while cooking to reduce the amount of unnecessary sugar in sauces and baking.
Opt for natural sweeteners
 Natural sweeteners like maple syrup and agave nectar are better sugar substitutes than white, refined sugar, and (when used in moderation) may make your healthy oatmeal or veggies taste even better.
Start reading the labels
 Sugar isn't always called sugar - it masquerades under terms like glucose, sucrose and high fructose corn syrup. If sugar's one of the top ingredients of your favourite sauce or cereal, give it a miss.

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Filed under: In the news

Expert says that homeopathy is 'dangerous' and should be banned Getty

Britain's leading expert in complementary medicine has said that homeopathy should not be available on the NHS because it doesn't work.

The Independent reports that Professor Edzard Ernst of Exeter University says that homeopathy can be dangerous when it is used in place of conventional medicine which is proven to be effective - and he even goes so far as to accuse practitioners of lying to their patients.

He writes in The Biologist: "Homeopathy could be (and often is) used as an alternative to effective interventions. For example, the advice from homeopaths not to immunise has become a major cause of low vaccination rates. Also, the strategy of using homeopathy as a benign placebo can only work if clinicians do not tell the truth to their patents."

Homeopathy is based on the principle that 'like cures like'. Patients are prescribed tinctures that are made up from substances that produce the symptoms that the patient is suffering from, and then repeatedly diluting them until no molecules of the original remain.

Professor Ernst says that this principle is unscientific as it makes no sense that a substance has a greater effect the more it is diluted.

He says: "It is in contrast with the laws of physics, chemistry and pharmacology. Homeopathy is thus biologically implausible."

The NHS spends an estimated £4million per year on providing homeopathic treatments. Two years ago an investigation by a Commons committee said that the funding should cease.

Dr Mark Downs, Chief Executie of the Society of Biology, said: "The UK spends literally billions of pounds every year ensuring that the new and existing conventional medicines we take are effective, safe and fit for purpose. It makes no sense to allow other treatments to be made available through public expenditure without application of the same rigorous standards. That is what is happening with homeopathic treatments. It needs to stop."

A Department of Health spokesperson told the Daily Mail: "We believe in patients being able to make informed choices about their treatment, and in a clinician being able to prescribe the treatment they feel most appropriate in particular circumstances, which may include complementary or alternative treatments such as homeopathy."

Do you think that homeopathy works? Let us know below...

Click on the image below to find out which foods can improve your skin...

Foods for better skin

Eggs
 At breakfast, lunch or dinner, integrate an egg into your meal. A rich source of vitamin A, eggs are one of the purest forms of protein. "Skin is made up of protein and amino acids, which are used to repair skin tissue," O'Byrne explains. "Eggs contain <a href="http://lifestyle.aol.co.uk/2011/12/20/mushroom-omelette-could-cut-your-risk-of-pancreatic-cancer/" target="_blank">selenium</a>, a great antioxidant which has been linked to a lowered incidence of skin cancer." Selenium also boosts the immune system, which improves the appearance of skin, leaving it looking healthy and radiant. There's more: eggs also contain copper, which aids skin tissue regeneration and boosts elastin, a compound that keeps your skin strong and firm.
Salmon
 "For glowing skin, aim to eat two to three servings of oily fish, including at least one serving of salmon, each week," O'Byrne recommends. Salmon is the king of all fatty fish, containing a high concentration of omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce inflammation and obtain moisture from within, warding off fine lines and wrinkles and decreasing the chance of getting blocked pores, which cause spots and blackheads.  <div> The reason salmon's so beneficial? "One omega-3 fat in particular, called EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid), has been shown to preserve collagen, so skin stays firmer and younger-looking," explains O'Byrne. Salmon also contains vitamin A, an antioxidant which may slow down the ageing process by helping with skin rejuvenation.</div> <div> </div>
Avocado
 "The top food for healthy skin is always the avocado," explains O'Byrne. "This fruit is packed with healthy fats and fibre and has a good dose of the potent anti-ageing vitamin E." Mixing avocado with certain veggies may increase their nutritional power as well. The carotenoid antioxidants lycopene and beta-carotene, which prevent premature ageing and are found in tomatoes, romaine, spinach and carrots, increase significantly when eaten with this super-food. Mix some avocados into your favourite salad or mash them up - they'll double as a great DIY moisturising face masque, advises O'Byrne.
Turkey
 Turkey isn't just for festive season. O'Byrne recommends swapping your chicken for turkey breast slices - they're a healthier (and lower-fat) addition to meals. "Turkey contains a high concentration of zinc, which maintains the collagen and elastin fibres that firm the skin and decreases the chances of developing fine lines," says O'Byrne. It also contains arginine, known to improve blood circulation which in turn increases the reproduction of cells and improves the appearance of skin.
Broccoli
 Broccoli is packed full of antioxidants, vitamin C and B complex, vitamin E, A and K - just to name a few! O'Byrne advises picking the darker florets, as they contain more potent vitamins and provide more power to fight off those crows’ feet. Broccoli also has cleansing properties and stimulates liver function, aiding the detoxification process in the body.
Spinach
 According to Atkins nutritionist <a href="http://www.atkins.com" target="_blank">Linda O'Byrne</a>, snacking like Popeye could be seriously beneficial for more than just our muscles. "Spinach is a nutritional powerhouse for skin as it contains lutein, a carotenoid that protects your skin from UV damage," O'Byrne explains. It also contains antioxidant vitamins C and E, and good levels of vitamin K, which promote skin elasticity and may help to protect against premature ageing and the development of wrinkles.

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Filed under: In the news

Women set to earn more than men within 25 years Getty

A new book claims that women will soon be earning more than men, no matter what field they work in.

American author and journalist Liza Mundy has written a new book called The Richer Sex. Time magazine reported that her research shows that single, childless women in their twenties are already earning more than men in US cities.

She believes this trend will continue and, over the next few years, professions like law and medicine will be predominantly run by women.

The Daily Mail reports that Ms Mundy has said that almost 40 per cent of working wives already out-earn their husbands.

She believes that these changes in employment and earnings will revolutionise the way we live, date, marry and raise children.

A recent US Government report found that although women have made huge strides in education and the work place, they are still making less money than men. It also found that women who prioritise their career are getting married later.

However, Ms Mundy's research found that marriage rates for women on high incomes were actually rising, compared to those with low earnings.

Do you earn more than your partner? Let us know below...

Click on the image below to find out how to get fit at your desk...

Get fit at your desk

Arm wrestle a colleague
 Challenge your co-workers to an arm wrestling contest to boost your arm strength. Do this three times a day and in a month's time you'll be giving Popeye a run for his money.
Weights
 Keep a pair of light weights in your desk drawer for some impromptu exercise. Try a few biceps curls while you're on the phone or strap on some ankle weights and do 10 squats when you're on your own.
Leave your desk
 Studies show that long periods of sitting down can increase the risk of serious diseases by 40%. Make sure you get up and do some exercises - situps, pressups or jumping jacks - to get your circulation moving again.
Stretch it out
 Using your computer can lead to RSI or back pain if you're not vigilant. Make sure you stretch out your hands and arms regularly. Ask if your office can host a weekly yoga class for a complete body stretch out.
Don't send emails all the time
 When you want to talk to someone in your office, consider if you could go and talk to them in person. This gets you out of your chair and is more friendly than sending an email. It's even more effective if they don't work on the same floor as you do and you have to take the stairs.
Take the stairs
 Avoid your office lift and take the stairs. If your meeting room or canteen is on the top floor, you'll tone your legs and burn calories running up and down the stairs instead of standing still in a cramped lift.
Get up
 Put something you regularly use - a mobile phone or stapler - a few feet from your desk, so you have to get up to use it. While you're standing, do a few lunges to strengthen your thighs and bum.
Have a desk disco
 Next time you feel you've been sitting still for too long, put on your headphones and move around to your favourite high energy song. Pump your arms, swing your head, jiggle about in your seat and loosen up - it all counts!
Move around
 Strap on a pedometer and set a target for the number of steps you need to take while in the office. Offer to make the coffee, organise the stationary cupboard and be the office busybody - it all helps keep you fitter than sitting like a stone at your desk.
Bike or walk to work
 The way you get to work can have a real impact on your general fitness levels. Try cycling rather than using your car or public transport, or get off the bus early and walk for 20 minutes before you get to your desk.

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