We have teamed up to show you easy, healthy, nutritious meals using ingredients that will give you long term fat loss, and ensure good nutrition during and after your pregnancy. This will be sure to keep you and baby healthy throughout.

Michael Moore is a sensationally talented chef who exploded onto the London restaurant scene and ran his highly credited Michael Moore of Blandford Street Restaurant for ten years.

Amongst his many awards his restaurant was voted number three in the top ten best London restaurants by london-eating.co.uk.

Savoy trained and extensively traveled, globetrotting Michael describes his cuisine as ‘modern global’ incorporating influences from culinary experiences acquired in Canada, the Far East, Europe and the Caribbean. “My food is an amalgamation of the experiences and tastes I have acquired from my work abroad.”

This charismatic and amusing personality uses a combination of such wide-ranging ingredients and national tastes that make his dishes unique in character and flavor and sets him apart from his peers. Food writers and journalists from around the globe sing his praises.

Born in London’s East End, Michael is the second youngest of eight and an exotic mix with a Bajan mother and Brazilian father. His first big break in the kitchen was at the Savoy Hotel in London, under the watchful eye of Anton Edelmann. Following this, Michael took up his first position abroad, at the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten in Hamburg, Germany, before venturing into Switzerland and Canada. Michael came back to Britain, for the pre-opening of the Dorchester. After three years at the Dorchester, Michael became executive chef at the luxury Island Inn Hotel resort in St Michael, Barbados, before moving onto the exclusive Soneva Fushi resort in the Maldives, via Berlin`s Intercontinental Hotel.

He was lured away from the Far East to oversee the opening of the Circle Bar and Restaurant in London’s fashionable Docklands before taking residence as executive group chef for Simpsons of Cornhill, where he was in charge of 14 restaurants including 190 Queensgate in Knightsbridge.

In his precious spare time Michael is a fanatical Arsenal Football fan and he also likes to relax listening to Jazz music.

Michael has appeared on television many times including his UK TV debut live on Gloria Hunniford’s Open House on Channel 5, BBC Saturday Kitchen and as guest chef on BBC UK Food Great Food Live! Michael represented the UK at the fabulous Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in Florida and demonstrates around the world. Michael demonstrated at HRH The Prince of Wales’ Start UK Garden Party at Clarence House.

Caesareans

I saw this news story today saying Caesareans will be offered to women in fear of labour amid concerns some are so afraid they seek abortion.

I have mixed views on this…

I agree that women should have a Caesarean if they have medical issues or suffer complications. Giving birth naturally has to be one of the most amazing experiences you will ever have. Yes it is painful but our bodies are built to deal with it. We also have plenty of pain relief to help us. If we were not capable of dealing with natural birth our bodies would have been made differently to reproduce. More importantly, perhaps, women are becoming pregnant while overweight and this puts both mother and baby at far greater risk.

Slimming Clubs

I saw this article the other day comparing slimming clubs and GP programmes.

This is what I think…

NHS Clinicians are already over busy with sick patients to focus on and have little background in lifestyle and nutrition. This piece clearly shows that even slimming clubs are more successful than the NHS on weight reduction. I am very clear that slimming clubs are only a quick fix and have little sustainability in maintaining weight reduction and increased fitness.

Diet Pills

I saw this story promoting how a diet pill using two gut hormones could fool our brains into thinking we’re full to make you say no to junk food.

Here I go…

Never ever take diet pills, no matter what you are told they do, because they are all bad by being made to interfere with normal body function such as to suppress appetite, increase the metabolic rate or to prevent absorption. These are all abnormal for the body to be forced to do and should be discouraged. In fact most of these drugs except one have been withdrawn due to terrible side effects.

If you are not active and want to lose weight then walking is a great way to start a safe and effective exercise program. Keep a daily record of how long you walked for and try to extend it by 1 minute every time you walk until you are doing 30 to 45 minutes.

I am here if you want to keep me updated on how you are getting on for motivation.

I’m here to tell you how to be sensible and effective, I’ll show you how to plan your meals and show you how to feed your body the nutrients it needs in order to be healthy, to shed those unwanted pounds and to stay healthy before, during and after pregnancy Once you understand how it works you will be able to wear that bikini, the little black dress and get back to your pre pregnancy weight maintaining it all year round.

Please don’t get sucked in by the false promise of fast weight loss. Your body is very smart and you can’t outwit Mother Nature. Instead, work with her and she’ll show you the body you were born to have.

I am very excited to be telling you that I have recently collaborated with top chef Michael Moore to help you get started.

Michael is a sensationally talented chef who exploded onto the London restaurant scene and ran his highly credited Michael Moore of Blandford Street Restaurant for ten years. Amongst his many awards, his restaurant was voted number three in the top ten best London restaurants by london-eating.co.uk.

We have teamed up to show you easy healthy nutritious meals using ingredients that will give you long term fat loss, and ensure good nutrition during and after your pregnancy. This will be sure to keep you and baby healthy throughout.

Sign up today for your free healthy meal plans and keep your eyes out for more – coming soon!

We all eliminate water from our bodies in different ways via our urine, faeces, sweat and even the water vapour contained in our exhaled breath. Excluding fat, In fact, 60 to 70 percent of our body weight is water and our baby at birth has an even higher percentage.

When you are not pregnant I recommend that you consume around 2 litres of water a day, but during pregnancy you need to increase this to 2.5 litres. And when breastfeeding, you will need to increase the amount of water even more, as you will be losing more fluids; I recommend 3 litres a day.

Water and exercise:

While you are exercising it is very important to keep sipping water throughout your workout. We do not count the water we drink whilst exercising as part of our daily water intake because of the fluid loss through sweating. So whether you are drinking 2 or 2.5 litres a day please don’t include the extra amount you drink whilst exercising.

Benefits:

Water is essential for the growth and maintenance of our bodies, it is also an important and life-sustaining drink to humans and is essential to the survival of all organisms.

I consume around 3 litres per day without fail. I do not include the few cups of tea I have at breakfast time. I also recommend that you drink water from a glass bottle rather than from a plastic one.

Remember: Never allow yourself to become dehydrated!

Fitness is essential when planning a baby and beyond. It has a range of benefits – and not least is endurance. Endurance plays a big part when you are in labour and, as we never know how long it is going to be until it comes, I want to help you prepare for potentially one of hardest moments of your life.

I know how important endurance is from personal experience. I was in labour for nearly 19 hours! So how did I prepare for that? It’s actually easier than you might think: you walk. When I was pregnant I built up my endurance by walking for 20 to 30 minutes, 4 or 5 times a week. So I am sharing this insight with you to show you the benefits of walking while pregnant and beyond.

Walking is a great exercise for everyone. Brisk walking gives you a good lower body and cardio workout and is easy on the joints and muscles, plus it gives the heart and lungs a safe stimulus in order to maintain good cardio functionality. If you were not active before getting pregnant, walking is a great way to start any exercise programme. I recommend starting with 10 minutes and then building it up weekly until you can do 30 to 45 minutes walking.

It’s also a simple (and free!) way to getting back into shape after having your baby. You can walk your baby in the pram, getting you both out of the house for exercise and fresh air, as well as meeting other mums. Walking briskly will help prepare you for more vigorous exercise when you are ready to do so.

Start walking today and keep me updated on your progress!

I will start by telling you about my own experience. I breast fed my daughter Georgia for only 5 weeks. I simply could not do anymore: it was too painful and then my milk just stopped. I would have carried on for 3 to 6 months if it had been possible, but I couldn’t. I admit I felt upset but not worried about it because I knew that Georgia had taken in the goodness of Colostrum within a few days of breastfeeding. I can tell you that my 11 year old daughter suffers no allergies and is extremely healthy indeed.

I am not here to tell you what you should or should not do. I don’t believe in dictating to you. But I can tell you a few reasons why breastfeeding is good for you and your newborn baby. It’s about understanding your concerns but also wanting to explain why breastfeeding is best, if only for the time you can manage.

You hear lots of good things about breastfeeding and I am all for it. It’s only right that you know that it is not easy and can be extremely painful. But once you get past the first few days/week it is a piece of cake and very beneficial.

A little about colostrum

You may not realise this, but human breast milk is the healthiest form of milk for your baby. The early lactation milk contains colostrum, which carries your antibodies to your baby and can reduce the risk of many diseases in the body. It is very rich in proteins, vitamin A and sodium chloride; but contains lower amounts of carbohydrates, lipids and potassium than normal milk. Your newborn has a very small digestive system, and colostrum delivers its nutrients in a very concentrated low-volume form. It has a mild laxative effect, encouraging the passing of your baby’s first stool.

The most pertinent bioactive components in colostrum are growth factors and antimicrobial factors. The antibodies in colostrum provide passive immunity, while growth factors stimulate the development of the gut.

Why breast milk is best

Breast feeding promotes health, helps to prevent diseases and reduces the need for health care and nutrition costs. Breast milk has just the right amount of fat, sugar, water and protein that is needed for a baby’s growth and development. It also requires an average of 500 calories a day for a mother to generate it which can help you lose weight after giving birth. Though I don’t suggest you look at breastfeeding as a weight loss thing, but a welcome side effect on top of the benefits your baby will get by having your breast milk. The weight loss is a bonus.

The recommended duration to breastfeed is 6 months, but just do what you can. As I mentioned earlier, something is better than nothing.

Health benefits for your baby:

• Boosts the immune system
• Fewer infections like chest and ear
• Higher intelligence
• Less likelihood of obesity
• Reduced risk of diabetes
• Less likely to suffering eczema
• Less constipation

Health benefits to you:

• Weight loss
• Bonding
• Hormone release
• Saves money
• Less risk of breast cancer

Myths and facts about breastfeeding

I have listed a few myths and facts about breastfeeding that you may not have heard of before:

Myth 1: “It’s not that popular, only a few women do it in this country”
Fact: 78% of women in England attempt breastfeeding.

Myth 2: “Breastfeeding will make my breasts saggy”
Fact: Breastfeeding itself doesn’t cause your breasts to sag, but the aging process and weight change can all have an effect.

Myth 3: “Infant formula is basically the same as breast milk”
Fact: Infant formula isn’t the same as breast milk. It’s not a living product so it doesn’t have the antibodies, living cells, enzymes or hormones that protect your baby from infections and diseases later in life.

Myth 4: “People don’t like women breastfeeding in public”
Fact: Surveys show that the majority of people don’t mind women breastfeeding in public at all. The more it’s done, the more normal it will become.

Myth 5: “Breastfeeding is easy for some women, but some don’t produce enough milk”
Fact: Almost all women are physically able to breastfeed. But it’s a skill that every woman needs to learn and practice before it becomes easy. It happens more quickly for some women than others, but nearly all women can produce the amount of milk their baby needs.

Clinical reasons for not breastfeeding

Occasionally, there are clinical reasons for not breastfeeding. For example, in HIV or, in rare cases, if a mother is taking medication that may harm the baby. Under these circumstances, when there’s no alternative, bottle-feeding with infant formula is recommended. If you’re not sure whether you should breastfeed your baby, speak to your midwife or health visitor for information and support.

Remember your breast milk may be compromised by things like smoking, alcohol, caffeinated drinks and drugs.

Remember, do what you can. I would love to know how you all get on!

• During pregnancy gums may feel sore and be more susceptible to swelling and bleeding. This is due to changes in hormones during the pregnancy. These changes hinder the body’s normal response to the bacteria and cause gum infections. Pregnancy gingivitis is caused by the hormonal changes that increase the blood flow to the gum tissue and cause your gums to be more sensitive, irritable and swollen.
• This makes it easier for plaque to build up on your teeth and makes you more susceptible to gingivitis. The degree of pregnancy gingivitis often increases during the second trimester. Research has also shown that severe pregnancy gum disease can contribute to an increased risk of complications.
• Occasionally a small nodule can develop on the gum that bleeds easily known as either a pyogenic granuloma or pregnancy epulis / tumour which is benign but unpleasant. It is a red or purple bump swelling usually on the gum margin. They are usually only a few millimetres in diameter. They appear most commonly during the second trimester but usually go away after the baby is born.

Good dental care tips during pregnancy

• Brush your teeth thoroughly at least twice a day and floss at least once a day. Your brush should be soft and so should your brushing and flossing technique. Overexuberant brushing can further irritate gums— as can floss.
• Have at least one oral check-up with your dentist during pregnancy.
• Avoid sweets if possible. Keep in mind that dried fruit also acts like sugar as well as being sticky—ideal food after indulgence would be a piece of cheese!
• Good Diet. Make sure you have your normal calcium and Vitamin C in your daily diet to keep your teeth, gums and your bones strong. If you cannot brush after meals try sugar free chewing gum, a handful of nuts (unless you’re allergic) or a piece of cheese. They have some antibacterial properties.
• Brush your tongue as well as your teeth to minimize the amount of bacteria in your mouth.
• You can use a daily warm salt-water mouth rinse if you have sore gums and /or a mouthwash as recommended by your dentist.
• If you’re suffering from morning sickness try to brush or at least rinse following such an episode. It will help with the bad taste and remove bacteria and acids from your mouth.

Your gums usually return to normal following the birth of your baby. The bleeding and sensitivity should reduce. If swelling and irritation increases during your pregnancy, you should consult your dentist.

The good news is that with good oral hygiene and routine professional cleanings, there should be nothing for you to worry about.

You can visit Simon’s website at: www.simonlangforddentist.com

I have written this article to give you some knowledge and understanding on what to do if you get diagnosed with PGP. I also want to keep you positive about it and show you if you work to my guidelines you will be able to manage it. PGP can begin as early as the first trimester of pregnancy. The main symptom is usually pain or discomfort in the pelvic region which could have been caused by:

• Pelvic joints moving unevenly.
• A change in the activity of the muscles in the pelvis, hip, abdomen, back and pelvic floor.
• A history of pelvic trauma.
• The position of the baby altering the loading stresses on the pelvic ligaments and joints.
• Previous lower back pain.
• Previous pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy.
• Hypermobility, genetical ability to stretch joints beyond normal range.

Symptoms you may experience:

• Swelling and/or inflammation over joint.
• Difficulty lifting leg.
• Pain pulling legs apart.
• Unable to transfer weight through pelvis and legs.
• Pain in hips and/or restriction of hip movement.
• Transferred nerve pain down leg.
• Can be associated with bladder and/or bowel dysfunction.
• Struggle to sit or stand.
• Pain may also radiate down the inner thighs.
• You may waddle or shuffle.

My guidelines to help you:

• Brace the pelvic floor muscles before performing any activity which might cause pain
• Rest the pelvis
• Avoid lifting and carrying.
• Avoid stepping over things.
• Avoid straddle movements especially when weight bearing.
• Bend the knees and keep the legs ‘glued together’ when turning in bed and getting in and out of bed.
• Place a pillow between the legs when in bed or resting.
• Avoid twisting movements of the body.
• Try not to attempt to pull yourself up from lying on your back.
• Keep knees together when rolling over in bed.
• When getting into a car: Sit down first and then swing legs keeping them together.
• Avoid sofas and chairs that are too low or too soft.
• Try to reduce the stress on the joint.
• Avoid any movement with your knees apart.
• Take smaller steps when walking.
• Avoid stairs if possible.
• Avoid twisting, bending or squatting.
• Avoid strenuous exercise
• Avoid prolonged standing
• Avoid stretching

If you suffer with any of the symptoms listed then please go to your GP and follow my guidelines.