The slog of January is finally behind us, and I, for one, am more than ready for the weather to warm up a bit and for spring to start showing signs of life. To kick off the month, the latest issue of our digital Healthy Balance magazine is out now – and it's packed with practical February inspiration to help keep you motivated through the final stretch of winter.
We're also sharing the snacks our nutritionist Emma always keeps at home – simple, satisfying options that are perfect for curbing cravings, keeping your energy levels steady, and easy to grab when hunger strikes. Next, we’re turning our attention to five foods that can help keep your joints feeling stronger and more resilient. Joint health is an area that’s often overlooked in everyday nutrition, but these foods can play a key role in supporting mobility, comfort, and long-term wellbeing.
And because we all need a little extra get-up-and-go during these winter months, we're finishing off with energy-boosting breakfasts that are not only delicious but will kickstart your day in the most perfect way.
We’ve got a very foodie newsletter for you this week, packed with inspiration and ideas to make healthy eating feel simple, enjoyable, and delicious. We hope you like it!
Beth
Nutracheck Nutritionist
Discover the February issue of Healthy Balance!
In our main feature, nutritionist Emma explores why managing your weight can feel harder at this time of year, breaking down four common winter setbacks – from moving less without realising to changes in mood and appetite – and sharing simple, realistic ways to work around them.
On the fitness front, we’ve put a trending workout to the test by trying daily wall Pilates for a week. With no equipment and short home sessions, we explore whether this gentle-looking workout can really improve joint stiffness, posture, and core engagement.
February is also National Heart Month, which is a great time to take a closer look at what truly matters for heart health. Dr Campbell explains how weight, fitness and everyday habits all play a role, why even modest weight loss can make a difference, and which small changes – like eating more oily fish or cutting back on salt – have the biggest long-term impact.
If food labels leave you feeling confused, our nutritionists are on hand to help. We decode common claims such as ‘high protein’, ‘low fat’ and ‘reduced sugar’, explaining what’s worth paying attention to when tracking your food, and what’s mostly marketing noise.
In the kitchen, you'll find plenty of seasonal inspiration to keep your meals satisfying and balanced. There are lighter pancake recipes for Pancake Day, romantic under-600-calorie dinners for Valentine’s Day, high-protein winter meals to keep you fuller for longer, and a colourful three-day meal plan focused on hitting your five-a-day.
You can read the magazine in the app. Tap More in the bottom menu bar > Nutracheck Magazine.
A YouGov Food Study found that 70% of Brits snack at least twice a day – so it’s safe to say we’re a nation of snackers! While crisps, biscuits and chocolate might hit the spot in the moment, they’re not doing much for our health or waistlines.
But smart snacking? That’s a different story. The right snacks can help top up nutrients, keep energy levels steady, and stop you from getting too hungry in between meals.
Whether it's lifting weights, going for a walk or running after the kids – we rely on our joints to keep us moving and doing what we love. That’s why it's so important to look after them. Prevention really is better than cure!
In this blog, I've pulled together five everyday foods that are packed with nutrients to help support healthy, happy joints.
Need some inspiration for your morning meal? We've got you sorted with these quick, tasty, energy-packed breakfasts. Every recipe is calorie-counted and perfect for fuelling your day – without the faff.
They’ve all been handpicked by the experts at Good Food, so you know they’ll tick the boxes for taste and nutrition.
