When we are planning to exclude certain food groups for a long period of time, especially if these foods are nutrient dense, it is important to know if our body is thriving on the new diet or if certain nutrients are missing. In the case of vegan, and to some extent vegetarian diets, there are certain health checks and blood tests that we should do more frequently, just in case.

While weight gain during menopause is considered normal, what many women don’t know is that we begin to lose muscle in our 30s. While our weight might still be the same, we are replacing muscle with additional fat. This process accelerates as we reach our 50s.

Fonio Pilaf is a light summer dish with splendid flavors and plenty of taste even for the most hardcore spice-lovers.

Stuffed pork tenderloin, with cheese and thyme, wrapped in streaky bacon, is a meal that has a fantastic taste, is easy to make and it looks fantastic on the plate.

Crispy Roast Pork Belly is very easy to make, and yet very hard to say no to. Especially with home-made fennel coleslaw, with a touch of Dijon mustard.

A simple dish made with olive oil, Italian herbs and cheese. To make it more filling, you can add gnocchi, spaghetti or a stuffed baked potato.

This recipe is a delicacy, especially since many of us don’t often eat duck meat. With a bit of patience, a lot of love, and with the addition of Italian Parmesan, this meal will be enjoyed by all.

Fat loss requires more than just dieting or doing heavy cardio sessions. Ideally, we should increase our everyday movement, while keeping our cortisol levels low, and also do resistance training to increase lean muscle mass.

Power naps are frequently recommended as a way to improve cognition, focus and reduce tiredness. But what are the physiological effects on the body, and why can longer nap times leave us more groggy and tired than before?

The ketogenic diet (KD) is recognised for its potential to support fat loss, but its impact on physical performance, especially for athletes, remains contentious. While anecdotal evidence suggests performance benefits in some scenarios, scientific studies show mixed results. KDs may promote fat oxidation and weight loss but might not be ideal for enhancing muscle mass or performance in high-intensity activities.

The tropics with pineapple and coconut. While this is a gluten-free version, you can use the same recipe and go old-school with the regular flour.

As women get older and enter menopause, certain health factors and lifestyle can impact their weight and their ability to shed the extra kilograms. Since during menopause many metabolic factors are out of balance, sleep, activity, gastrointestinal health, metabolic syndrome and hormonal imbalance play a significant part in maintaining healthy weight levels.