Health - Nutrition

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#Health - Nutrition

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>Helena Ni Chonchuir, Slán go Feoil. Helena at An Capall Dubh. Daingean Uí Chúis. Ronin Films for RTÉ</p>

health and wellbeing

I gave up meat for a month — here's what I learned

With a farming background and married to a butcher, why did Helena Ní Chonchúir give up meat for a month for RTÉ programme Slán go Feoil? She talks to Caroline Hennessy about the experience.

<p>The committee recommended meals be prepared on site in schools from scratch, with children eating together in a communal setting.</p>

politics

Kitchens and scratch-made meals 'should be mandatory in all new schools'

<p> Eating more of some foods (and less of others) can lead to higher levels of happiness and optimism.</p>

health and wellbeing

From the humble morning cuppa to raw carrots, here are five simple foods proven to boost your mood

Healthy food for lower cholesterol and heart care shot on wooden table

health and wellbeing

Surprising foods to avoid in the battle against high cholesterol — and which ones to eat

I'm a doctor in my 30s with a healthy lifestyle — I was surprised I have high cholesterol

health and wellbeing

I'm a doctor in my 30s with a healthy lifestyle — I was surprised I have high cholesterol

Woman Mouth Biting Meat. Beautiful Female Mouth Eating Meat

health and wellbeing

Protein is the body's building block — but how high should our intake really be?

Seasonal recipes and stories from Scéal Bakery

Seasonal recipes and stories from Scéal Bakery

Local and seasonal are the ingredients for success in Scéal: Seasonal Recipes and Stories from a Modern Irish Bakery by Charlotte Leonard-Kane and Shane Palmer

Fri, 10 Oct, 2025

Orange jam in glass jar and fresh fruits on a black background.

Top 8: Which of these shop-bought marmalades has the juice?

Most people enjoy the extra texture (and a fractional amount of fibre) that shredded peel gives, along with depth of flavour, and a hint of bitterness that begs to be mollified by thick butter on hot toast.

Fri, 03 Oct, 2025

Avocados — not as green as they seem, plus the alternatives

Avocados — not as green as they seem, plus the alternatives

Brunchtime darling avocado toast is going through a rocky time due to the fruit's concerning environmental and social impact. We check out the alternatives

Fri, 26 Sep, 2025

spreading margarine butter onto bread

Top 8: Spread the word about these butter alternatives with many benefits

Spreadables are less wasteful than hunks of hard butter dragged across bread, often tearing the crumb in the process

Fri, 19 Sep, 2025

Ferment: How we can cultivate the revitalising power of microbes

Ferment: How we can cultivate the revitalising power of microbes

Gut health is now recognised as vital to our physical and mental health, and by harnessing the benefits of fermentation, Tim Spector encourages us to take control of it at home

Fri, 12 Sep, 2025

Hands holding a grate full of raw vegetables

What are UPFs and how to easily eat more unprocessed food — plus a triple-protein dahl recipe

In her new book, ‘The Unprocessed Plate’, nutritionist and podcast host Rhiannon Lambert shows us how to swap UPFs for healthier eating habits

Fri, 05 Sep, 2025

Homemade yogurt

Top 8 fat-free yogurts for a healthy snack option

Fat-free yogurt is delicious and far better than ultra-processed foods after school.

Fri, 05 Sep, 2025

Preparing ahead for back-to-school lunchbox snacks

Preparing ahead for back-to-school lunchbox snacks

Galway-based chef Lou Robbie shares her snack-making and freezing expertise in her new book ‘Make & Freeze’ to level up your lunchbox game

Fri, 15 Aug, 2025

Bratwurst or Hot Dogs on Grill with Flames

Top Eight: sizzling sausages — an extra link to our diet

Sausages are a highly-processed food. The preservatives mixed with the meat really cannot be avoided if we are to be sure the meat is safe to eat when kept on shelves or at home for a few days

Fri, 08 Aug, 2025

Working Life: My interest in gardening isn’t random... my great grandfather was head gardener at a stately home

Working Life: My interest in gardening isn’t random... my great grandfather was head gardener at a stately home

Covid prompted me to re-evaluate my life, when I found myself working a lot from home. I saw that I could be making better use of my time than spending hours commuting every day

Fri, 08 Aug, 2025

brittle damaged nails after using shellac or gel-lacquer

Natural Health: My nails keep breaking even though I have plenty of calcium in my diet

Marine collagen is the best choice for nail, hair, and skin health; whereas bovine collagen is typically recommended for joint, bone, and muscle repair.

Sun, 03 Aug, 2025

I'm a Cork beekeeper — here's how you can help native Irish honeybees

I'm a Cork beekeeper — here's how you can help native Irish honeybees

Important for biodiversity, ecosystems and pollinating crops, bees work hard at achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals so don't swat them even if they come buzzing into your house! Cork-based beekeeper Hanna Bäckmo talks about the importance of our native Irish honeybee and how we can help

Fri, 01 Aug, 2025

Paper cups with delicious ice cream and vanilla pods on wooden board, closeup

Top 8: Get the scoop on the best of shop-bought ice creams this summer

For this week’s Top 8 supermarket shopping expedition, I enlisted the help of the seven- and 12-year-olds to choose from the shelves. They and their three-year-old brother, along with an eight-year-old cousin, were happy to taste them all.

Fri, 25 Jul, 2025

Young caucasian woman holding glass of water with collagen

Can collagen supplements help to improve our skin and fight signs of ageing?

Influencers and celebrities rave about it, and scientists are positive, but there is still much to be learned

Fri, 18 Jul, 2025

Beer time! Cropped image of hands are clinking bottles with beer against summer sky background. Barbecue concept.

What are the hidden health risks of zero and low-alcohol drinks?

Often seen as the healthier option, low- and no-alcohol drinks are seeing growing sales in Ireland, but experts warn about their high calorie and sugar content

Fri, 18 Jul, 2025

This Cork food stall's Lebanese mezze boxes are great for a balanced lunch

This Cork food stall's Lebanese mezze boxes are great for a balanced lunch

Healthy and delicious, Lebanese mezze makes the ideal portable summertime lunch. Caroline Hennessy talks to Cork-based Rabih Farah about his Bia Beirut farmers' market stall.

Fri, 18 Jul, 2025

Group of female friends cheering with beer in amusement park

After a long drinking session? These supplements may help with headaches and nausea

Do new supplements help prevent the headaches and nausea that follow a long drinking session, or is there a more straightforward solution?

Fri, 11 Jul, 2025

Hummus in plate, bread pita - dip food

Top 8: These shop-bought hummus meals are a taste of the Middle East

"All our samples pair well with fish and are delicious served in pitta bread with shredded lettuce, and tomatoes."

Fri, 11 Jul, 2025

Young African American girl cooking a healthy meal with vegetables at home

Whisk up some fun with these online cooking classes for kids and teens

Sign up your teens and tweens this summer for an online cooking class where they’ll learn new skills, experiment with recipes and ingredients, explore better food choices, and even make you a rather lovely lunch

Fri, 04 Jul, 2025

ADELE MINER

I wore vitamin supplement patches to boost my energy levels — here's what happened

More studies are needed to prove their efficacy, but for people who find it hard to take pills, wellness patches might be the solution

Fri, 27 Jun, 2025

People clinking glasses with sparkling wine indoors , closeup

Sobering shift: Are Irish women changing their relationship to alcohol?

National Women's Health Survey: Despite what the marketing departments might tell us, alcohol isn’t a healthy way to unwind, and more women are realising they are better off without it

Fri, 27 Jun, 2025

Athletic woman eating a healthy bowl of muesli with fruit sitting on floor in the kitchen at home

How to find your biological age and the biohacking tips to lower it

Doctors share what you should be doing to reverse your biological age

Fri, 13 Jun, 2025

Everything you need to know about cholesterol and how to keep it under control

Everything you need to know about cholesterol and how to keep it under control

A high cholesterol level is dangerous, but with the right diet, an active lifestyle, and support from your doctor, you can get it under control

Fri, 06 Jun, 2025

Happily ever after with greener bites — staying sustainable on your big day doesn’t have to be difficult

Happily ever after with greener bites — staying sustainable on your big day doesn’t have to be difficult

Staying sustainable on your big day doesn’t have to be difficult. Caroline Hennessy talks to Michael O’Neill of Clonakilty’s Fernhill House Hotel & Gardens about reducing waste and using local produce

Fri, 06 Jun, 2025

eating apple

Eat your way to the best results — nutritious food to help exam students succeed

A leading dietitian gives some simple tips for success ahead of the Leaving and Junior Cert exams

Tue, 03 Jun, 2025

Irish rowing champion Aoife Willis: 'The possibility of being diabetic never came into my head'

Irish rowing champion Aoife Willis: 'The possibility of being diabetic never came into my head'

Up to 300,000 people are living with diabetes in Ireland. According to recent research, many believe there is stigma associated with their condition

Fri, 30 May, 2025

Top 8: Chutney and relish options for the perfect summer sandwich

Top 8: Chutney and relish options for the perfect summer sandwich

Give your summer sandwiches a lift with these fillings

Fri, 16 May, 2025

How to master a healthy and satisfying salad this summer

How to master a healthy and satisfying salad this summer

Theo Kirwan of Sprout & Co, who will appear at next weekend's Ballymaloe Festival of Food, talks about salads, social media, suppliers, and the challenges of farming

Fri, 09 May, 2025

Why you should always trust your gut when it comes to coeliac disease

Why you should always trust your gut when it comes to coeliac disease

This autoimmune condition is much more than just an upset tummy, and its wide range of symptoms affects the lives of almost 2% of the Irish population

Fri, 02 May, 2025

Ceramic cup with slight steam

Top 8: Low-caffeine hot drinks that taste good and may have health benefits

We have looked for drinks that taste good and may have health benefits

Fri, 02 May, 2025

Fecal transplant or fecal matter transplant (FMT). A laboratory tube with with fecal microbiota to cure persistent digestive dis

Modulating the gut microbiome could represent a new frontier for cancer medicine

Faecal transplants can boost the immune systems of patients with advanced cancer, improving their response to immunotherapy. Could this experimental treatment play a major role in the future?

Fri, 18 Apr, 2025

Traditional scones with fresh strawberries and jam isolated on white

Conscious of sugar consumption? Try full fruit flavours in the form of jam

Try a teaspoon or two of jam in hot or iced (even fizzy) water when you need a pick–me–up—it's better than consuming the chemicals found in many fizzy drinks

Fri, 18 Apr, 2025

Hooked on sustainable tinned fish: It’s top quality, it’s shelf stable and has minimal ingredients

Hooked on sustainable tinned fish: It’s top quality, it’s shelf stable and has minimal ingredients

Look no further than the canned food section in your supermarket for an eco-friendly and handy meal option. Ciara Shine from Shines Seafood in Donegal explains how tinned fish can be a versatile, delicious and nutritious option

Fri, 18 Apr, 2025

6 foods that are great for your heart health

These are the six best foods to eat for a healthy heart

Maintaining a healthy heart is essential for overall wellbeing, and one of the most effective ways to support cardiovascular health is through diet

Fri, 11 Apr, 2025

Discovering the benefits of the NiMe diet — the unprocessed foods that are good for the gut

Discovering the benefits of the NiMe diet — the unprocessed foods that are good for the gut

Research by Cork-based Dr Jens Walter on the traditional diet eaten in rural Papua New Guinea informs a free-to-download book on the steps we can all take to restore diversity in our gut microbiome, writes Caroline Hennessy.

Fri, 11 Apr, 2025

Does lion's mane live up to its viral reputation as a brain health superfood?

Does lion's mane live up to its viral reputation as a brain health superfood?

Used for centuries in Eastern medicine, the mushroom is now considered a “miracle” superfood in the West, especially for cognitive health. But does the research back it up?

Sat, 05 Apr, 2025

Top 8 hot cross buns to enjoy with a cup of creamy coffee on Easter Sunday

Top 8 hot cross buns to enjoy with a cup of creamy coffee on Easter Sunday

Warm them in the oven or air-fryer at 180C for three minutes

Fri, 04 Apr, 2025

Homemade oatzempic drink of oat milk and lime in a glass on the table

What is 'oatzempic' and can a DIY oat drink really rival Ozempic for weight loss?

A DIY drink blending oats, water, cinnamon, and lime juice has amassed a cult-like following on social media. But does it live up to its appetite-curbing reputation?

Fri, 04 Apr, 2025

Top 8: The best Easter eggs for 2025, including supermarket own-brands

Top 8: The best Easter eggs for 2025, including supermarket own-brands

It’s not surprising that all our Top 8 got high scores

Fri, 21 Mar, 2025

Hemp seeds have more protein per 100g than chicken —why aren't we eating more of it?

Hemp seeds have more protein per 100g than chicken —why aren't we eating more of it?

Don’t get hemp mixed up with cannabis. It’s from the same family, but this plant variety is being grown in Ireland for its edible and nutritious seeds

Fri, 14 Mar, 2025

Air Fryer Fish Fingers with Condiments and Lemon Garnished with Fresh Dill

Top 8: The top breaded foods like chicken drumsticks and potato croquettes on shop shelves

"What about the days we want the cooking done for us? With this in mind, we went shopping for crumbed foods that tasted good and didn’t have the worrying additives often found in processed foods."

Fri, 07 Mar, 2025

Two Cork women on a mission to start 'food revolution' encouraging healthy alternatives for kids

Two Cork women on a mission to start 'food revolution' encouraging healthy alternatives for kids

Clonakilty's Kids Food Revolution aims to end the practice of schools and sporting bodies giving sweets as rewards and instead offer healthier alternatives or non-food items to celebrate achievements

Fri, 28 Feb, 2025

Stack of chocolate cookies on yellow backgreound

Top 8: Breaktime bliss with these shop-bought biscuits

"It’s hard to beat a good chocolate biscuit to end a meal or as a dunker. Dip into hot tea or coffee for three seconds and lick half the chocolate off before biting into it. A blissful experience."

Fri, 21 Feb, 2025

This is delicious!

Taking the roughage road to health and vitality

Fibre, which supports a healthy gut microbiome, is the key to keeping us well

Fri, 21 Feb, 2025