Are the foods you think are healthy really doing the job?

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It seems that every week the experts are telling us what to eat and drink to ensure we are in good health and living our best lives. The problem is, we can get information overload which means we don’t know what to do for the best, and often end up simply eating whatever we fancy.

We’ve had a look at some of the myths out there and hope it will help you work out what is good for you and what isn’t quite up there in the healthy stakes.

Granola makes a nutritious breakfast
Many of us think that granola and cereal bars are a healthy breakfast choice but this isn’t always the case. Yes, you can add granola to fruit and yoghurt, but these cereals often have extra added sugars, so it’s a good idea to check the label before you buy a new box. Grabbing a cereal bar on the go is easy, but do you really know what you are eating and how good for you it really is? One of the best things you can have for breakfast are eggs – be that boiled, poached or scrambled and having rye toast and avocado, will make things even better.

To juice or not to juice?
Fruit juice is considered to be a healthy way to increase your vitamin levels and clock up that all important five a day quota the world over. The reality is that the antioxidant, fibre, mineral and vitamin content of whole fruits are drastically cut when they are juiced. It’s so much better for you to eat fruits rather than to drink them, instead hydrate with water and have juice and smoothies now and again as a treat.

What’s the deal with honey?
Honey might be natural but sugar is sugar and nutrition-wise, agave, honey and maple syrup are no better than the bog-standard white stuff. You can eat it and enjoy it, but don’t over do it because your teeth and waistline won’t thank you.

Is coconut oil a healthy fat?
Unless you have been hibernating, you will probably be aware that coconut oil has been hailed as a ‘healthy choice’ in the kitchen. Yes, it has good points, but coconut oil is still high in saturated fat and it’s the unsaturated varieties that will do more for you in terms of health. Olive, rapeseed and sunflower oils all help to support heart health and they provide us with energy, while strengthening our immune systems too.

Red wine boosts health
Many of us do think that red wine is good for us because of the antioxidants that help fight disease. Yes, there is an element of truth here, but it still contains sugar and can make you feel lethargic and hungover, so don’t knock it back to excess because that will undo any good you have done!

Dark chocolate vs milk chocolate
How many times have you read that eating dark chocolate is good for you??? Well, it might help lower blood pressure but it won’t help with any weight loss as it is still pretty calorific. A little bit of what you fancy is true, but munching a family bar thinking your heart will benefit, might not be quite right so stick to a couple of squares.

Only fresh foods are good for you
We aren’t sure where this comes from, but you can eat frozen and tinned fruit and vegetables and still get the same nutritious benefits you will find in the fresh alternatives, sometimes even more. This is the case because the process of canning and freezing preserves most nutrients and antioxidants, so when you eat them they are still packed with essential vitamins and minerals. One thing to watch out for is tinned fruit that comes in sugary syrup, go for natural juice every time and if you rinse before you eat, even better.

Team Pure Beauty

Sun Protection Isn’t Just For Summer

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acne, antioxidants, broad spectrum, burning, colour, Decleor Anti-Pollution Hydrating Fluid SPF30, Decleor Daily Defence Fluid Shield SPF30, Dermalogica Matte Moisturiser SPF15, Dermalogica Sheer Tint SPF20 Medium, Elemis Liquid Layer SPF30, free radicals, luminosity, matte, microproteins, mineral, moisture, moisturising, natural, oil free, plymeris spheres, protection, rich, sheer, snow, sun, sunscreen, teen, tint, titanium dioxide, UVA, UVB, wash, winter

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It may seem like a really odd time of year to be telling you about sun protection, but it’s actually important to protect your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays all year round. It’s also possible to get sunburn in the snow, as the powerful reflections can intensify the sun’s effects and leave you looking like a lobster! Here are five of the best “all year” sunscreens that you should be adding to your daily routine.

Decleor Anti-Pollution Hydrating Fluid SPF30

This hydrating fluid from Decleor is a really good all-round, every day moisturiser and it performs a whole bunch of skin-saving tasks. As well as protecting from UVA and UVB rays, it also protects from daily pollution and free radicals which speed up the ageing process. It also adds a wash of moisture to your skin, keeping it healthy and hydrated all day long.

Dermalogica Sheer Tint SPF20 Medium

If you like a wash of colour on your face rather than a full face of make-up, then this tint could be ideal for you. It gives your skin a sheer layer of colour, helping to even the skin tone and contains hyularonic acid and walnut seed oil which moisturise your skin deeply. It’s suitable for all skin types and contains a broad spectrum sun screen which will protect against UVA and UVB rays.

Elemis Liquid Layer SPF30

This sunscreen from Elemis contains naturally occurring Titanium Dioxide which is a physical UV barrier, as well as polymeric spheres to reflect and refract UVA and UVB light. The formula is rich in anti-oxidants to defend against free-radical damage and is an invisible layer which won’t interfere with your regular moisturiser or make-up.

Dermalogica Matte Moisturiser SPF15

Teens with oily skin may find it particularly difficult to use regular sunscreen, which is why Dermalogica created this oil-free, matte moisturiser which contains UVA and UVB protection. It actively absorbs oil and reduced shine and can even be used on acne-prone skin, without causing more spots.

Decleor Daily Defence Fluid Shield SPF30

This sun protection from Decleor is a truly multifunctional product which contains moringa oleifera microproteins to fight pollutants and free radicals, as well as mineral pigments to enhance skin’s natural luminosity. It’s a 100% mineral shield which helps to protect against the sun’s harmful rays and can be used on top of any make up throughout the day, if you need a top up.