Latest news with #GreenChef
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
I'm a nutritionist - here are three foods you need to eat to boost your sex drive
Many factors can affect sex drive, but what you eat can be more important than you think when it comes to getting steamy in the bedroom. Oysters, pumpkin seeds and chickpeas are the ultimate foods to boost your libido, a leading nutritionist has revealed. 'Sexual appetite is closely linked to overall health, and certain foods can help support normal hormone levels, blood flow, and energy—all key factors in maintaining a healthy sex drive,' says Lily Keeling, a nutritionist for healthy meal delivery firm Green Chef. So if your love life is feeling a little lacklustre, your diet could be to blame. Zinc-rich foods like oysters, pumpkin seeds, and chickpeas are especially important, as the nutrient is essential for testosterone production. And it's not just men that need to prevent their testosterone levels from getting low, the hormone is also key for women wanting to increase sexual desire. Zinc is also thought to increase dopamine levels, which can enhance feelings of pleasure. Oysters are famously an aphrodisiac and contain omega-3 fatty acids. This can improve blood flow to the sexual organs, which can help with issues like erectile dysfunction. Pumpkin seeds also contain the essential fat as well as magnesium which make for an added bonus for increasing your blood flow. They are packed with antioxidants like vitamin E which help protect sperm and the prostate from cell damage. Meanwhile, chickpeas can boost sex drive due to its B6 properties. The vitamin is known to regulate testosterone, but it also produces the 'feel-good' hormone dopamine which can increase desire and arousal. It also contains a plant-based chemical known as phytoestrogens, which is said to mimic the effects of estrogen. This can be especially helpful for menopausal women who experience low sex drive as a symptom of their declining estrogen levels.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
6 viral health trends that waste the most money
There isn't a day that goes by without a new viral health trend on social media, and a new survey shows how Brits are willing to spend hundreds a month to test them out. The survey, which involved more than 2,000 respondents, found that the average Briton now spends more than £2,000 per year on "miracle" wellness products they've seen online. According to the survey, carried out by Green Chef, the vast majority of respondents (93%) believe that social media has created the current global obsession with wellness, health and beauty products. Protein shakes were the most popular trend among respondents, followed by products that promise clear skin, and collagen supplements that claim to get rid of wrinkles and boost skin health. Other popular wellness products that people spend money on include vitamins that claim to boost immunity, anti-fatigue and anti-inflammatory "cures", and beauty treatments like under-eye patches that claim to reduce eye bags and wrinkles. Green Chef's survey also found that nearly half (48%) of respondents admitted to prioritising supplements over eating a healthy diet that is rich in vitamins, proteins and healthy fats. Only a third (33%) of those involved in the survey feel like they pay enough attention to what they eat. And despite 30% of people feeling let down by the pills and potions touted by influencers, many continue to pour time and money into them in an effort to look and feel better. But experts say some wellness trends are a drain on your finances and nothing more, offering little to no proven benefits for your body and overall health. Dr Claire Merrifield, GP and medical director at Selph, tells Yahoo UK: "I would urge people to remember that whilst some supplements do have positive health benefits, they will only work alongside a balanced, healthy diet and regular exercise. "A major concern amongst health professionals is that people are using these supplements instead of eating nutritious whole foods, fruits and vegetables, instead of exercising, instead of looking for ways to manage their stress and energy levels. "It's also worth noting that the magnitude of effects of most supplements, compared to sustained, difficult lifestyle changes, is really very small. It's the last 10%, not the first 90%." We find out which trends are the worst for both your health and bank account, and what you should be doing instead. Collagen-based products have boomed in recent years thanks to huge demand for them, after beauty and wellness influencers and celebrities touted their purported benefits in improving skin health and appearance. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body, and is produced by combining amino acids. It is important as it provides structure, strength and support throughout your body – including in the skin. However, collagen production declines as we age and existing collagen breaks down at a faster rate, which accounts for thinning skin and the formation of wrinkles as we grow older. This is why collagen supplements are often marketed as anti-ageing, as they claim to rejuvenate skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. But nurse practitioner and aesthetician Jen Vittanuova advises against buying collagen products that have no research to back up their effects – of which there are claimed to be many. "I see a lot of people trying remedies that don't have research behind them, and people are really susceptible to what they see on TikTok because they have amazing marketing tactics," she tells Yahoo UK. "I understand why people buy them, but there are so many products out there and very, very few of them really work. "My advice is to do your research, see if any accredited dermatologists, doctors or nurses out there are talking about the product you're thinking of buying, and if they are warning against it, don't buy it." Protein shakes are hugely popular, particularly among people who are trying to get fit and build muscle. So-called gymfluencers often film themselves drinking protein shakes before, during and after a workout, leading fans to believe they are essential for fitness. But Dr Merrifield warns: "Protein shakes will often contain a lot of additives such as sweeteners, thickening agents and E-numbers, making them ultra-processed foods (UPFs), which we know are harmful to your health and make you gain weight. "Although protein supplements can be important, it's far better to look for clean, unflavoured protein powders and add them to something like a smoothie mix, rather than buying pre-made drinks." Dr Merrifield warns people to stay away from most supplements that have the word "boost" in them, whether it's "boosting" energy, libido, immunity, or anything else, as they are a "big waste of money". "When people are looking for an 'immunity booster' they are usually feeling run down or under the weather or are suffering from frequent infections," she adds. "In general, a good diet and decent sleep are the most important things you can do to keep your immune system happy. "If you can't manage that then take high-dose vitamin C when you get a cold, and take a well-researched probiotic sold by a reputable company to reduce the number of infections you get. I wouldn't take any probiotic sold on social media, unless it was sold by a reputable company." The vitamins you should be taking to keep your immunity and overall health in check are, in reality, "quite boring" but beneficial, Dr Merrifield says. She says these are: vitamin D, Omega-3, creatine and high-quality protein powders. Growing interest in foods, drinks and medicines with "anti-inflammatory" effects has taken over social media, as people search for ways to feel better. Inflammation is the body's natural response to harmful and foreign stimuli, but it can cause harm if it takes place in healthy tissues or carries on for too long. Some people claim an anti-inflammatory diet can help alleviate pain and other symptoms of inflammation, while others tout pills or supplements do this. Dr Merrifield warns that these types of promotions "should be avoided like the plague" and that anyone selling "anti-inflammatory pills or supplements… do not understand the science and are therefore not qualified to create a supplement". "Just because something is easy and cheap to buy, and because it calls itself a supplement, doesn't mean it's safe," she adds. "It's possible to get really sick due to taking the wrong supplements and you can overdose on them. At best they are a waste of money and at worst they can actually harm your health. "If you're genuinely concerned that due to your diet you have a vitamin or mineral deficiency, it's a good idea to do a blood test to check how deficient you are as that can guide how much replacement you take." Beauty trends can often involve some bizarre practices, such as "slugging" and the "morning shed" which are recent trends with thousands of people taking part in TikTok videos. "Slugging" refers to the practice of applying a thick layer of an occlusive ointment, which is a type of skincare ingredient that creates a protective barrier on the skin's surface to prevent moisture loss. The trend saw people taking large amounts of product, such as Vaseline, and slathering it on their face, claiming that doing so prevents skin dehydration. However, Vittanuova warns that slugging can "trap bacteria in your skin and lead to breakouts". The rare times it can be effective is if you have very dry skin, she adds. The "morning shed" trend calls for a number of products and tools to be layered onto one's face before bedtime, something that can add up financially very quickly. Most routines involve layering on various sheet masks for skin hydration, pimple patches, mouth tape for sleeping, chin straps that allegedly reduce the appearance of a double chin and define the jawline, and heatless curlers to style hair while you sleep. But Vittanuova says: "Layering all of those things can disrupt the skin barrier. Also, imagine how hard it would be to sleep! A simple, consistent routine is best for your skin health long-term." Read more about health and wellness: The 5 easiest ways to reduce inflammation in your body, according to doctors (Women's Health, 6-min read) The health benefits of Tiktok's latest #silentwalking wellness trend (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read) Apple Cider Vinegar: how social media gave rise to fraudulent wellness influencers like Belle Gibson (The Conversation, 5-min read)
WIRED
10-05-2025
- Health
- WIRED
Green Chef Has the Tastiest Gluten-Free Recipes I've Made From a Meal Kit
Gluten-free cuisine has a deservedly bad reputation. This is not because wheat has a monopoly on good taste: Entire countries and cultures would disagree. Rather, it's that cooks far too often make things that desperately need gluten to be what they are: pancakes and waffles, say, or Southern fried chicken. Or, lord help us, pizza. And so every time I've tried out gluten-free plates among the many meal kits I've reviewed, it's been with a little bit of fear—lest I find myself endlessly chewing a tapioca pancake, or breaking my own heart over a tray of limp zoodles. Photograph: Matthew Korfhage Which is all a prelude to say: The gluten-free meals from HelloFresh's organic meal-kit brand Green Chef were a hell of a nice surprise. More than half of Green Chef's recipes are gluten-free, a quality that the brand attests with hearty, full-throated validation from the Seattle-based Gluten Intolerance Group, which offers certification for gluten-free ingredients and restaurants. More on that validation and what it means, in a bit. But first, I'll say that among a week's worth of gluten-free meals from Green Chef, I didn't miss the gluten. I didn't miss it, because aside from a swap of gluten-free amino sauce (here's one popular brand) in lieu of a little soy sauce, none of the meals would or should have had gluten in them anyway. Rather than make pale imitations of gluteny things, Green Chef's meals were dishes that never needed wheat in the first place. This might include a kale and quinoa grilled chicken bowl with North African spice, steaks in red pepper sauce with green peas and rice, or a rice bowl topped with cabbage and honey ginger shrimp. Each was a fully realized and appetizing meal, which took between a half hour and an hour for me to prepare after receiving a box of ingredients and recipe cards from Green Chef in the mail. None felt like an ingredient was missing. Here's how Green Chef works. Organic, Hearty, Quite Often Gluten-Free Photograph: Matthew Korfhage Founded in Boulder, Colorado, Green Chef was once a competitor to HelloFresh (7/10, WIRED Review), the German-founded meal-kit brand that has helped establish meal kits as a successful business model in dozens of countries. When HelloFresh snapped up Green Chef in 2018, the meal-kit titan positioned Green Chef as its organic alternative: Green Chef advertises that all of its produce and eggs are organic, unless specified otherwise. (The meat is currently the same meat, mostly, used by HelloFresh's other brands, mostly higher-end commodity cuts from legacy American purveyors and producers.)
The Independent
03-04-2025
- General
- The Independent
I tried Green Chef to see if the organic recipe box was as good as it sounds
Meal kit subscription boxes have become a staple for those looking to simplify dinnertime, offering preportioned ingredients and step-by-step recipes delivered right to your door. Among them, Green Chef bills itself as 'the number one meal kit for clean eating' with its emphasis on organic ingredients and various dietary preferences, including keto, vegetarian, and gluten-free. As someone who values high-quality produce and enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, I put Green Chef to the test. I received three meals as part of the service: oven-baked cheesy black beans and rice, beef tenderloin with porcini cream sauce, and garlic-thyme pork chops. Having tried various subscription boxes over the years, from HelloFresh to Blue Apron, I was curious to see how Green Chef measured up and if I could tell the difference between them and the latter's organic ingredients. Here's how it fared in my kitchen. How I tested To evaluate Green Chef, I focused on several key aspects: packaging, ingredient quality, recipe complexity, and overall taste. Over three days, I prepared the meals included in my delivery, which were selected by the company. Each recipe was followed precisely, using only the ingredients provided to ensure consistency with the intended experience. I paid close attention to how well the packaging preserved the freshness of the ingredients, the clarity of the instructions, and how the final dishes tasted compared to my usual home-cooked meals. I also compared Green Chef's offerings to similar meal box services in terms of difficulty, flavor profile, and value. Why you can trust IndyBest reviews Tom Murray is The Independent 's US lifestyle and culture editor based in New York. When it comes to cooking and food, Tom has high standards, opting for organic ingredients and recipes that are packed full of flavor. He prioritizes easy-to-follow recipes and affordability.
