Good Food
type: channel
link: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com
date: 2025-11-04T17:13:57.000Z
update period: hourly
update frequency: 1
update base: 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00
items: Your 6 must-know bone facts, and the action you need to take
items: Why stress makes you hungry
items: Are you TOFI? (That’s thin on the outside, fat on the inside)
items: Where can kids eat for free in summer 2024?
items: Is dairy bad for you?
items: Why am I bloated? Dietitians explain the reasons for your uncomfortable stomach
items: I'm a nutritionist – this is what I have for dinner when I'm too lazy to cook
items: Is hot water and lemon good for you? Six health myths busted
items: I'm a dermatologist – these are five things you should eat for your skin
items: Don’t throw it away! 6 nutritious treats from fruit and veg peel

Your 6 must-know bone facts, and the action you need to take
type: item
date: 2025-10-03T09:21:54.000Z
creator: Luisa Metcalfe
subject: Guide
subject: Health
subject: Health conditions
subject: How to
subject: goodhealth
description: If you want to keep your skeleton healthy, the best time to start work is now! Our experts explain what you need to do
encoded: Our experts: Sarah Leyland, Senior Clinical Advisor with the Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS) Dr Animesh Singh, consultant rheumatologist Jenna Hope, registered nutritionist How much thought do you give to your skeleton? For many of us, the first time we think about our bones is when we break one. Indeed, most of us dismiss bone diseases such as osteoporosis as something that only affects menopausal and older women. However it affects many more of us than we think, with one in five men and half of women over 50 breaking a bone due to osteoporosis. Some people who take certain long-term medicines as a vital part of managing other health conditions, are also at risk of weakened bones. It will probably be only if we experience repeated fractures that we realise that something is wrong - but by then action to help build up our bones is long overdue. What we need to know is that the work of strengthening our skeleton begins in childhood and continues throughout our lives. “People think that bones are dead, inert things. But they’re alive and living like any other organ,” says Sarah Leyland, Senior Clinical Advisor with the Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS). “The bones themselves are made up of an outer shell and inside there is a honeycomb mesh structure, which is like a scaffolding. Bone cells wear away and rebuild as part of the normal turnover of bone, but sometimes this gets out of balance - more bone is worn away than rebuilt. We talk about osteoporosis as bone ‘thinning’ but it can be useful to think of the holes in that honeycomb mesh as getting bigger – more porous and less dense.” Here’s our expert guide to adopting a bone-friendly lifestyle to keep breaks and fractures at bay at any age. 1. Childhood is crucial for your bones “Childhood and the teen years are very important both in terms of bone health and also developing the habits that you carry into adult life,” says London-based consultant rheumatologist Dr Animesh Singh. "Around 80 to 90 per cent of peak bo…

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Why stress makes you hungry
type: item
date: 2025-04-07T16:13:35.000Z
creator: Luisa Metcalfe
subject: Guide
subject: Health
subject: Wellness
subject: How to
subject: Chocolate
subject: Comfort eating
subject: goodhealth
subject: sugar craving
subject: sweet tooth
description: As a new study reveals that comfort eating when we’re anxious can make us crave sweet food, a nutritionist explains how to break the cycle and silence the food noise
encoded: We eat sugary foods to celebrate good times, for a quick boost of energy or simply for a treat. But there is a negative emotion that may be driving some of us to consume sugary foods – stress. Read more about stress, how it affects weight gain and tips for managing anxiety. Next read what is intuitive eating? High-sugar treats such as chocolate, biscuits and cakes provide a welcome distraction from our cares and worries. However, according to Australian scientists, eating high-calorie comfort food when you’re under duress could be creating changes in your brain that make you eat more – which means an even sweeter sweet tooth than before! One study found that mice, when stressed, didn’t feel full and continued to eat. “We showed that chronic stress, combined with a high-calorie diet, drives more food intake as well as a preference for sweet foods, thereby promoting weight gain” says Professor Herbert Herzog. This revealed that stress can override a natural brain response that diminishes the pleasure from eating, resulting in the brain being continuously rewarded the more and more we eat. So why is stress, sugar and comfort eating so intertwined? Nutritionist Jenna Hope explains all. Why do we crave sugar when we’re stressed? “When we eat high-fat and high-sugar foods, such as chocolate, it provides what’s known as a ‘hedonic’ effect,” she says. “This means that we feel good on these foods and rewarded by them, as a result while we’re eating these foods we’re not secreting as much of the stress hormone cortisol, so we feel calmer and the reward pathways in our brain are simulated making us feel good.” Why do we tend to overeat when we’re comfort eating? “When we’re stress-eating it’s harder to control the amount of food that we’re consuming. In a stressed state you’re likely to eat more and faster, and you’ll find yourself eating a biscuit, and then another one, and so on,” she explains. “The brain is saying ‘that feels good, I didn’t feel stressed while eating that’.…

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Are you TOFI? (That’s thin on the outside, fat on the inside)
type: item
date: 2024-12-02T09:58:47.000Z
creator: Luisa Metcalfe
subject: Health
subject: News & Trends
subject: Recipes
subject: abdominal fat
subject: belly fat
subject: goodhealth
subject: how to lose belly fat
subject: how to lose weight
subject: obesity
description: If you're not overweight, how can you tell if you have potentially harmful hidden fat inside or if you're 'skinny fat'? We’ve spoken to the experts to find out more about ‘visceral fat’
encoded: If you’re naturally slim you might think that’s a sign that you’re in good health, however, outward appearances can be deceiving. Someone who has a healthy BMI (between 18.5 and 24.9) but has an unhealthy diet, drinks to excess, smokes and has a sedentary lifestyle may have fat hidden inside their abdomen. In fact, they may be considered TOFI: thin on the outside, fat on the inside. And this hidden ‘visceral’ fat, which settles on the internal organs is linked with a range of health problems including diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. “The fat we carry around our waist is visceral,” says registered dietitian Alison Clark, who explains that when you develop a beer belly, that is also a sign of having visceral fat. Read on to find out if you have visceral fat – and what you can do about it. Read more about how to lose belly fat, why belly fat is so bad for you, the best exercises to burn fat and how to eat less sugar What is visceral fat? The weight that we accumulate under the skin on our arms, legs and bottom is called ‘subcutaneous fat’ and is “considered the more metabolically healthy type,” says immunologist Dr Jenna Macciochi in her book, Your Blueprint for Strong Immunity. Visceral fat is deposited around the internal organs and is often called abdominal fat. What is 'skinny fat'? You may have heard the term 'skinny fat' – this is essentially the same as being TOFI, when people with a normal BMI have higher than average levels of fat which are usually the hidden abdominal variety. What are the dangers of this “active” abdominal fat? Often called “active fat”, it's a risk factor for metabolic syndrome (the combination of diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity). “Visceral fat is metabolic, which means it produces chemicals and hormones that the body has to deal with, and is associated with hormone-driven cancers,” says Alison. Visceral fat makes it harder for the hormone insulin to work and causes insulin resistance, which can lead to prediab…

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Where can kids eat for free in summer 2024?
type: item
date: 2024-07-17T09:06:20.000Z
creator: Luisa Metcalfe
subject: Family
subject: Guide
subject: News & Trends
subject: Recipes
subject: How to
subject: budget family meals
subject: food costs
subject: going out for less
subject: kids eat for free
subject: kids eat free
subject: Kids eat free near me
subject: Low cost meals
subject: meal deals
description: Do you need help cutting costs during days out with the children during the holidays? We’ve found the restaurants, cafés and pubs around the country offering free or low-cost meals for your young ones
encoded: The summer holidays are here! While many families are looking forward to days out, trips to the seaside and local attractions, costs can quickly add up. With budgets tight this year, we’ve found the restaurants, cafés and pubs nationwide where parents, grandparents and carers can feed their young ones for free. Read on for our list of eateries offering to feed children for free this summer, as well as £1 deals. After, check out our summer activities for kids and fun foodie activities that won't break the bank, as well as our kids' activities hub page for plenty more ideas. We have helpful tips on keeping your kids active or keep a group entertained overnight with our top activities for kids’ sleepovers. And while we hope that summer will be an endless collection of sunny, beautiful days, we know to expect rain and be prepared for it: our best indoor activities for kids is a great guide for keeping kids occupied when they can’t enjoy the fresh air. Keep the little ones busy over the summer holidays break by joining you in the kitchen - see our school holiday recipes and kids' cooking recipes for plenty of fun foodie projects. Where to find kids-eat-for-free deals Where: Bill’s When: Weekdays, 22 July to 30 August Up to two children under 10 can eat for free from the kids’ menu all day if one adult orders any main dish during breakfast, lunch and dinner. Food for children includes buttermilk pancakes, mac & cheese & fish fingers & chips. This only covers food, not their drinks. Where: English Heritage sites When: Until 31 August Members visiting English Heritage’s most popular sites, including Stonehenge, Tintagel Castle and Dover Castle can feed youngsters for free when they spend £10 or more in the cafe. The offer, for kids under 18, includes up to two free children’s lunch boxes, which include a sandwich, snack, sweet treat, juice box and fruit. Read more on feeding your family on a budget, making the most of your meal deal, and the best foodie days out Where: Futu…

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Is dairy bad for you?
type: item
date: 2024-04-19T12:18:33.000Z
creator: Luisa Metcalfe
subject: Health
subject: Nutrition
subject: Dairy
subject: dairy allergies
subject: dairy foods
subject: dairy foods benefits
subject: goodhealth
subject: is dairy healthy?
description: Do you avoid dairy and worry that you may be missing out on important nutrients? Find out why it can be an important part of our diets
encoded: For years we’ve regarded full-fat milk, cheese and butter with suspicion, worried their saturated fat content would harm our health. But now, evidence is mounting that full-fat dairy might not be as unhealthy as we once thought. However, it’s not just the fat levels that persuade some people to avoid dairy, lactose intolerance, skin problems and the belief that drinking animals' milk is unnatural are all common reasons for avoiding it. Next, find out if you have a food intolerance, if soy milk is good for you and read up on food intolerance tests and whether they're worth it. What is dairy? This refers to all products made from milk including cheese and yogurt, these foods are useful sources of protein and nutrients like calcium. Can I be intolerant or allergic to dairy? Some people need to avoid dairy because they have a cow’s milk allergy or they are unable to fully digest the sugar found in animal milk, called lactose. An allergy to cow’s milk is one of the most common food allergies in childhood – it’s estimated to affect around seven per cent of babies under one year, although most children grow out of it. Lactose intolerance occurs because the digestive system lacks an enzyme called lactase that breaks down lactose. When lactose is incompletely digested unpleasant symptoms like diarrhoea, wind and bloating may be experienced. The degree of lactose intolerance does vary, which means some people are able to have small amounts of dairy without experiencing symptoms whilst others need to avoid it completely. A food intolerance is different to a food allergy, read more about this at NHS website Read more about dairy intolerance and allergy. Can dairy foods aggravate asthma? A commonly held belief is that cow’s milk products cause an increase in mucus production and issues with respiratory symptoms and asthma. However, there is currently no evidence to support this and studies do not support the elimination of dairy foods for this purpose. Can dairy foods trigger sk…

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Why am I bloated? Dietitians explain the reasons for your uncomfortable stomach
type: item
date: 2023-08-04T10:35:39.000Z
creator: Luisa Metcalfe
subject: Guide
subject: Health
subject: How to
subject: goodhealth
description: Do you regularly experience a swollen abdomen? We ask the experts what causes our waist size to go up and down (and how to prevent it)
encoded: It’s a common problem that can cause discomfort, pain and embarrassment. But while some people only experience bloating now and then, others are all too familiar with having to loosen their waistbands as their stomach starts to swell. According to the NHS, symptoms of bloating include your tummy feeling full or bigger than usual, having stomach pain or discomfort, rumbling or noises in your stomach and farting more than usual. So what causes it and what can you do about it? We asked two experts, Kirsten Jackson, a consultant gastroenterology dietitian aka the “IBS dietitian”, and Dr Linia Patel, a dietitian and performance nutritionist, to explain all. Do any particular foods cause bloating? Linia: Being a little bloated after a meal is normal. Some people experience more bloating after eating certain foods that contain higher amounts of non-digestible or poorly digestible compounds called FODMAPs. FODMAPs stands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols. The undigested fibre and sugars in FODMAP foods end up in your large intestine where bacteria ferment them, leading to increased gas. Conditions like IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) are particularly sensitive to vegetables including broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage or brussels sprouts; fruits such as apples, pears, peaches and prunes; legumes and pulses; sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners found in diet products; carbonated drinks and dairy products high in lactose, such as milk. Can alcohol cause bloating? Kirsten: Many alcoholic drinks, including cocktails, beer and some sugar-free mixers, contain high levels of FODMAPs which can result in bloating. Alcohol can also have an indirect impact on bloating by impacting sleep quality, and poor quality sleep worsens digestive symptoms. Linia: Excessive alcohol can cause damage to the protective mucus that lines the intestine, making your intestine “leakier” and promoting inflammation. T…

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I'm a nutritionist – this is what I have for dinner when I'm too lazy to cook
type: item
date: 2023-08-02T14:39:15.000Z
creator: Luisa Metcalfe
subject: Health
subject: News & Trends
subject: Recipes
subject: best easy healthy dinners
subject: goodhealth
subject: lazy girl dinners
subject: no cook dinners
subject: Quick and easy
subject: Quick and healthy
subject: Quick meals
description: Food experts share their go-to meals for those times when you want a nourishing evening meal… fast!
encoded: It’s officially the summer of the “lazy girl dinner” – so called because of the current TikTok craze for hastily assembling supper after a long day at work, or simply when energy levels are low. There's been controversy around the phrase "girl dinner", as many believe the trend is encouraging people to choose tiny portions instead of full, nutritious meals, which may lead to disordered eating. With many examples of a so-called "girl dinner" being comprised of things like cheese and crackers, it's clear that not enough fruits, vegetables or protein are being consumed. There's also discussion around the use of the term "girl", and whether this implies that small, dainty meals are linked to the idea of being feminine. However, this new brand of instant dining (made famous on TikTok, where the hashtag #lazygirldinner has been viewed 82 million times) doesn't have to be unhealthy. You can create a satisfying plate of food that is both nourishing and tasty, while still being fast to prepare. So, if you’re in a beans-on-toast rut on busy days and would like some quick meal inspiration, we’re here to help. Nutritionists and dietitians share their favourite speedy dinners – and there’s not an instant noodle in sight. Plus, scroll down for 10 of our best no-cook recipes – perfect for the summer months and beyond. Healthy "lazy girl dinners" Sardines with vegetables, olive oil and Greek yogurt Expert: Kerry Torrens, registered nutritionist One of my store cupboard essentials is a can of sardines – not only are they packed with "good-for-you" omega-3 fats and vitamin D but they’re super convenient and cheap too. They are also the hero ingredient for my favourite speedy supper - just add a fridge raid for onions, peppers, courgette, tomatoes or whatever else you have in your veg drawer, drizzle with oil from the can, and cover and blitz for two minutes on high in the microwave or until the veg are soft. I serve topped with a dollop of creamy Greek yogurt. This speedy supper is l…

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Is hot water and lemon good for you? Six health myths busted
type: item
date: 2023-07-28T12:31:06.000Z
creator: Luisa Metcalfe
subject: Health
subject: News & Trends
subject: Cranberry juice
subject: goodhealth
subject: healthy myths
subject: how to cure a hangover
subject: how to sleep better
subject: lemon in water
subject: natural sugars
subject: when to brush teeth
description: We ask the experts which of our common health habits are really helping us, and which ones might be doing us more harm than good…
encoded: Whether it’s a result of urban myth or popular wellness trends, many of us are guilty of picking up health habits that aren’t as beneficial as they first appear. After all, who doesn’t love a shortcut, whether that’s a tot of whisky before bed or a glass of supermarket juice to ‘cure’ a urinary tract infection? Dig a little deeper, however, and it’s clear that our home cures aren’t actually as effective as we first thought. From the best time to brush your teeth to how to really treat a hangover, we lay the biggest misconceptions to rest – and reveal what to do instead. 1 MYTH: It’s better to start the day with hot water and lemon than with tea This so-called healthy drink, loved by the wellness set, could be doing more harm than good. “Lemon is particularly acidic, and if you drink lemon and water for many years it can wear the enamel down,” says London dentist Vikas Prinja.“This can expose the dentine underneath, giving teeth a yellowish appearance. In comparison, sugar-free tea may stain your teeth, but it can be removed – it doesn’t cause structural damage.” And as for claims that it can help the body detox? “The kidneys and liver play an important role in removing waste products from the body and consuming lemon water is not going to ‘detox’ the body,” says registered nutritionist Jenna Hope. “However, lemon water can be a great caffeine-free way to rehydrate in the morning.” Dr Prinja advises: “Just drink it all in one go or use a straw to reduce your teeth’s exposure to the acid in the lemon.” Find out more in our article: Is it healthy to detox? 2 MYTH: Natural sugars such as agave syrup are healthier than table sugar Many of us have swapped to trendy natural sweeteners such as agave and maple syrup and coconut sugar in a bid to improve our diets but are those 'healthy' alternatives actually better for us? “Table sugar is sucrose – it’s made up of two sugars bound together: glucose and fructose – and so are natural alternatives. They’re biochemically the sam…

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I'm a dermatologist – these are five things you should eat for your skin
type: item
date: 2023-07-18T09:21:21.000Z
creator: Luisa Metcalfe
subject: Health
subject: News & Trends
subject: Recipes
subject: eat for good skin
subject: food and acne
subject: goodhealth
subject: how to eat for good skin
subject: protect skin
description: NHS consultant and nutritionist Dr Thivi Maruthappu explains how what you eat can effect your complexion
encoded: There is never a truer phrase for your skin than, “you are what you eat”. According to Dr Thivi Maruthappu, a consultant dermatologist, nutritionist and the author of SkinFood: Your 4-Step Solution to Healthy, Happy Skin, a nutrient-rich Mediterranean-style plan can improve acne, eczema and reduce the signs of ageing. The even better news? “Changing your diet for the better will also improve your cardiovascular health and reduce your risk of stroke or cancers,” she says. “I use the acronym ‘GLOW’: “G is for green (all fruit and vegetables, the more colourful the better); L is lean protein such as salmon and chickpeas); O is for oils - healthy fats from sources including nuts, seeds and avocado oil). “And W stands for wholegrains. They’re not just fibre-rich, they feed your gut microbiome, which is very important for skin health.” Other important habits include wearing a high-factor sunscreen all year round as “sunlight is the major cause of skin ageing”, reducing stress and staying active. Here, Dr Thivi reveals her five top tips for improving your skin today (and investing in it for the future). 1. Eat fermented food to boost your gut microbiome “Many common skin conditions such as eczema and rosacea have been linked to imbalances in the gut,” she says. “Healthy skin ageing may also be linked to the gut microbiome.” To promote the growth of “good” bacteria she recommends adding probiotic foods such as kefir, kimchi, live yogurt and sauerkraut into your daily diet. Learn more in our article Gut health: what does it really mean? 2. Reduce “sugar sag” by saying no to sweet treats Sugar is also a significant culprit in accelerating skin ageing. “It forms molecules called “advanced glycation end products” (AGEs) in the dermis,” Dr Thivi explains. “Collagen in our skin is meant to be springy and bouncy but when sugar molecules attach themselves to the collagen fibres, they become stiff and it causes ‘sugar sag’.” She advises following NHS guidance to eat no more than 30g…

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Don’t throw it away! 6 nutritious treats from fruit and veg peel
type: item
date: 2023-07-12T14:09:45.000Z
creator: Luisa Metcalfe
subject: Health
subject: News & Trends
subject: Chocolate and coffee
subject: food waste
subject: goodhealth
subject: homemade pickles
subject: Salad
subject: vegetable scraps
description: How to turn food waste including peelings, stalks and leaves into healthy meals such as pickled watermelon rind and cauliflower leaf salad
encoded: Custom dictates that we peel carrots, potatoes and even apples, throwing their peels away, while onion skins and coffee grounds are also added to our food waste bins. In fact, 9.5 million tonnes of food is wasted in the UK every year with 70 per cent of that arising from household food waste, according to food waste charity WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Plan). But it seems that we’re throwing away some of the most nourishing parts of our produce. A 2022 Indian study found that waste from fruit and vegetables, including peels and seeds, have high amounts of phytochemicals, dietary fibre, polyphenols and "bioactive compounds". Here, registered nutritionist Jenna Hope shares her tips for turning your food waste into delicious, healthy additions to your diet. 1. Make quick watermelon rind pickles Watermelon is the summer’s most moreish fruit but there’s more to it than the pink flesh. The rind is edible, with a mild but slightly tangy flavour that is also a good source of fibre. “To pickle the rinds, add salt, vinegar and sugar and leave in a jar until they soften,” Jenna says. “Alternatively, add the rinds to a juicer for an extra hit of nutrients.” 2. Boil vegetable scraps for a flavour-filled stock Carrot peelings, onion and garlic skins, spring onion tops and celery leaves can all be added to boiling water to make a delicious, nutritious stock packed with fibre and beneficial plant compounds. “Rather than throwing them away, add them to a pan of water with some bay leaves, garlic cloves, fresh herbs (if you have them), salt and pepper,” says Jenna. “Bring to the boil and leave to simmer over a low heat for a few hours. You can then use this in your soups, stews and curries to provide some extra flavour and nutrients.” 3. Brew pineapple peel tea Once you’ve sliced off the rough, textured skin of a pineapple you’re left with a pile of roughage filled with the enzyme bromelain, which aids digestion and has anti-inflammatory properties. “Add the peel to hot water wit…

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