Diet and nutrition

Diet and nutrition

What our health experts eat for breakfast - and why

With breakfast being a meal that has come under some scrutiny or been made unnecessarily confusing over recent years, we wanted to share what our health experts eat to set them up for the day ahead, to show just how diverse a breakfast can be.

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Berry and walnut crumble

Crumbles can be a delicious way to use some of the seasonal fruit that the autumn brings.

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Apple and nut squares

These no bake bars are so easy to make and offer a fantastic snack option if you’re looking for something a little sweeter.

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Apple and plum chutney

This delicious chutney recipe is a great way to use up those apples from the tree in the garden during the autumn months.

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Cheese and spinach stuffed portobello mushrooms

A delicious vegetarian appetiser.

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Pear and goats cheese crostini

Crostini can make for a great appetiser or lunch meal – it's simply an Italian dish consisting of toasted bread and toppings!

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Festive oat cookies

These cookies are packed full of festive flavours, so why not bake some as a gift for your friends/ family…or just keep them for yourself!

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Wholegrain cranberry and orange muffins

These muffins offer a twist on a tasty classic snack, bursting with flavour and packed full of fibre.

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Bacon wrapped turkey breasts with cranberry glaze

A whole turkey might not be on the menu this year, but you can have all the great taste in smaller portions regardless of how many you are cooking for!

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Bubble and squeak

What to do with those left-over vegetables… we’ve got just the idea.

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Tofu and spinach cannelloni

A flavoursome, impressive vegan twist on an Italian classic

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Vegan lentil lasagne

A delicious, vegan alternative to the classic lasagne.

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Roasted garlic and pumpkin hummus

Making hummus has never been easier with this healthy snack.

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Chickpea and roasted vegetable stew

A simple, hearty vegetarian meal that makes for a perfect winter warmer. Make use of any leftover vegetables to pack this recipe with a healthy kick.

Diet and nutrition

How to cater for vegans at Christmas

Georgina Camfield, associate nutritionist at AXA Health, offers delicious vegan alternatives to festive favourites for everyone at the table to enjoy.

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Pumpkin quinoa salad

Here’s another way to turn those pumpkins into a tasty meal!

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Squash and coconut curry

This healthy high fibre and low salt vegetarian dish is easily prepared and quick to cook. It only needs five ingredients for this recipe, but you can always add in more of your favourite vegetables.

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Caribbean jerk jackfruit salad

Mix up your meals with exciting vegetarian options, such as this easy jackfruit salad.

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Bite sized vegan sausage rolls

A picnic favourite with a vegan twist!

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Paprika halloumi skewers

Fire up the BBQ, we’ve got some tasty paprika and halloumi skewers on their way and they won’t stay on there long once you’ve had a taste!

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Pulled pork burger

BBQ or no BBQ, this recipe is a must have this summer for meat fans. It’s packed full of flavour and won’t disappoint!

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Veggie hotpot

This veggie hotpot is packed with goodness and vegetables - perfect for the autumnal months.

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Three ways with leftover turkey

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Teriyaki beef stew

The winter months are the perfect time of year to bring out the slow cooker and what better way than with this juicy beef stew.

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Balsamic beetroot and goats cheese soup

A light winter warmer that’s sure to get your taste buds tingling.

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White chocolate, raspberry and pistachio mousse

Raspberries, pistachios and white chocolate all come together to make this delicious dessert.

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Chicken, leek and sweet potato filo pie

A delicious flaky pie that’s an easy crowd pleaser and uses some of the finest February vegetables.

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Butternut squash and bacon risotto

February is the perfect time for making the most of the last of the hearty vegetables such as butternut squash before spring arrives.

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Pear and pecan salad

A perfect combination of flavours and textures makes this salad enjoyable at any time of the year.

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Herby leg of lamb

A delicious centre piece alongside an abundance of vegetables or even to accompany a salad, this tantalising roast leg of lamb won’t disappoint!

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Goat’s cheese, pea and bean frittata

This is a low-calorie dish of just over 300 calories per serving. It is high in protein and low in salt with less than 1g per serving.

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Creamy pasta with asparagus and peas

This quick vegetarian dish is packed with vegetables to help deliver those important nutrients we need for good health. This meal offers two of our five a day but could easily be three or four if you wanted to add more of your favourite veggies.

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Butter bean and chorizo stew

This hearty stew is one to feed the family with just four ingredients. It also provides us with a big helping of fibre and protein to ensure we stay full.

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Peri-peri chicken pittas

Using only four ingredients this fast and easy dish is great for lunch or dinner. It also has the bonus of being low in saturated fat whilst being packed with protein, leaving us full.

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Tuna steak tabbouleh salad

Enjoy our take on a traditional Middle Eastern salad dish.

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Low fat chicken caesar salad

Sometimes a nutritious salad can be trumped by the thick, creamy dressing it comes smothered in. That’s not the case when it comes to our lighter version of this classic salad dish!

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Rosemary and sea salt focaccia

A delightful tear and share dish that’s a ‘must try’ this picnic season!

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Avocado potato salad

A twist on a classic picnic dish – bring in the avocados!

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Grilled garlic and chilli buttered corn on the cob

No BBQ is complete without a side serving of chargrilled corn on the cob. Try our take with its own homemade garlic and chilli butter.

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Vegetarian taco salad

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Vegan nut roast

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Cottage pie with fiery parsnip mash

Parsnips are at the heart of the winter crop, but have you ever thought of using them on top of a classic cottage pie?

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Open baked vegetable tart

Try this delicious golden puff pastry tart as a vegetarian main that looks like a work of art!

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Zingy chicken with bulgur wheat

Step into spring with this fresh, zingy dish.

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Zesty hot cross buns

Enjoy a traditional spring favourite and make your own hot cross buns. By baking them yourself you get to enjoy them fresh, whilst reducing additives and experimenting with your own flavours!

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Spring vegetable and macadamia farfalle

Utilise the finest seasonal vegetables with this pasta dish. Perfect as a main course or as a smaller portion to accompany a salad.

Diet and nutrition

Eggs three ways

How do you like your eggs in the morning? Breakfast, lunch or simply as a snack, there are many different, and easy, ways you can enjoys eggs.

Recipe

Spicy pumpkin soup with tortilla chips

The warm notes from the cumin, coriander and chilli enhance the flavour of pumpkin to create this hearty spiced soup, perfect for the autumnal months.

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Energy bites

Whether it’s to fuel us for exercise or get us to the end of the working day, sometimes we can all do with a little pick me up of energy. Look no further than these energy bites, a sweet treat that’s so simple to make and packed full of goodness – healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring!

Recipe

Aubergine beefburgers

While the BBQ season is still here, lets make the most of it with some tasty homemade burgers that will go down a treat. Rather than serve your burger in a bun, why not sandwich it between some char-grilled aubergine slices as a healthy and super tasty alternative!

Recipe

Sweet potato three ways

Sweet potato can be a fantastic alternative on our plates to its potato counterparts when looking to control calorie consumption or boost our vegetable intake. But what ways can we enjoy it when we are short for time or want to try something new?

Recipe

Caribbean pork tenderloin

This recipe is packed full of flavour – sweetness from the pineapple and a kick of heat from the chilli makes it a taste sensation.

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Poached eggs and beetroot on sourdough

This recipe isn’t just great for breakfast, it can be enjoyed at lunch or as an evening meal too.

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Banana and raspberry pancakes

Pancakes for breakfast anyone? Kick start your day with this fun pancake recipe that is sure to prepare you for whatever the day has in store.

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Veggie chilli

Nutritional proteins are a vital part of tissue repair within the body, there are plenty of plant-based foods that are packed with protein as well as other essential nutrients.

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Chickpea & Roasted Vegetable Stew

A simple, hearty vegetarian meal that makes for a perfect winter warmer. Make use of any leftover vegetables to pack this recipe with a healthy kick.

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Oats three ways

Whether you like yours hot, cold or on the go, there are many ways that you can enjoy oats for breakfast.

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Gingerbread Energy Balls

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Slow cooked chicken fajitas

A slow cooker version on the Mexican classic.

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Smoked salmon and broad bean salad

This delicious salad offers a healthy lunch when you are on the go or can even double up as a great light evening meal. With little prep and cooking time required, remember that not all tasty, healthy food requires long shifts in the kitchen!

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Carrot cake porridge

A low calorie, simple recipe that uses some of the best spring/summer seasonal produce.

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Strawberry frozen yoghurt

A healthier alternative to a favourite summer treat of ice cream, this quick and easy frozen yoghurt recipe will satisfy the sweet tooth and leave you feeling guilt free! Sounds too good to be true doesn’t it?

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Grilled halloumi and watermelon skewers

These simple meat free skewers are a must have on BBQ’s this summer!

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Thai red curry

If you want to curb your calorie intake, revitalise your diet and save yourself some cash at the same time, cutting down on your favourite takeaways can be a big step in the right direction.

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Strawberry, avocado and pine nut salad

A refreshing summer salad packed full of creamy avocado, sweet strawberries, crunchy pine nuts and a tart balsamic vinaigrette.

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Asparagus frittata

A low calorie, simple recipe that uses some of the best spring/summer seasonal produce.

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Banana ice cream

This recipe really is bananas. Using only four ingredients, this ice cream offers a fresh twist on a classic favourite that is lower in fat and artificial sugar.

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Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

These are packed with flavour and are easy to make - just let the oven do all the hard work for you!

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Roasted cauliflower cheese

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Green Bean Salad with Cranberries

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Glazed ham three ways

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Coronation turkey

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Bubble & squeak cakes

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Alternative fruity mince pie fillings and filo pastry

Diet and nutrition

How to take better care of your health and wellbeing

Vitamins are a way of supplementing your diet, which people only tend to consider as health or age-related issues emerge.

Wellbeing

Food to fuel your feelgood

Can the food you eat really improve your mood? Yes, according to Raj Kundhi, Registered Associate Nutritionist (ANutr), here at AXA Health.

Diet and nutrition

Sugar-free diet foods

Sugar – it’s sweet, delicious and, when consumed as part of a balanced diet, is definitely not anything to feel guilty about having

Diet and nutrition

Diet: keeping things interesting

Healthy eating doesn’t have to mean taking the enjoyment out of food. It’s possible to have fun and make delicious meals using healthy ingredients with a few little tricks and hacks along the way. Ceitanna Cooper, Registered Associate Nutritionist at AXA Health shares her top 6 tips for keeping your diet interesting.

Diet and nutrition

Energy boosting foods

AXA Health physiologist and Registered Associate Nutritionist, Georgina Camfield, shares her nutrition tips to help increase your daily energy levels.

Diet and nutrition

Making tasty and delicious salads

Salads may conjure up an image of limp leaves and tasteless tomatoes...