Food & Drink

FOODS AND BEVERAGES YOU DIDN'T KNOW MADE YOU LETHARGIC

New research by nutrition and lifestyle experts, yfood has revealed that 37% of the nation says that their energy levels are the lowest they have ever been. Here’s a list of the worst culprits for draining energy – give them a wide berth if you want to up your energy levels! White bread, pasta & rice

Processed grains contain fewer nutrients and may spike blood sugar levels, both of which can drain your energy levels. Replacing them with whole-grain alternatives can provide your body with more nutrients and prevent energy peaks and crashes.

Breakfast cereals, yoghurts & other foods with added sugars

Many breakfast cereals fail to deliver the expected energysustaining start to the day. Foods to avoid (as they contain high levels of added sugars) include flavoured yogurts, juices, muffins, granola bars and even some types of bread.

Coffee

Ingesting caffeine too late in the day can negatively affect the quality of your sleep which reduces your energy levels over time.

Fried & fast foods

Fried and fast foods can drain your energy. That’s because they are generally high in fat and low in fibre, two factors that can slow down your digestion.

Alcohol

Consuming high volumes of alcohol causes long-term disruptions to your sleeping pattern. Despite the short-term drowsiness, high alcohol consumption typically results in poorer quality of sleep, meaning you wake up the next morning feeling less rested.

BRUNCH CLUB: REVIEWING THE BOROUGH’S BRUNCH VENUES

In the first of a series of reviews, we adopt a new take on ‘Ladies What Lunch’ and head out for brunch to give you the head’s up on places to try. This month we checked out Eat Well in Beckenham High Street…

First Impressions: Easy to find next to Sainsbury's. The seating area looked clean and tidy and there was plenty of room. We were warmly greeted and seated immediately. On the menu: You'll find a variety of healthy options that are tailored to meet the needs of dietary restrictions (vegan, gluten free, etc). Ambience: The atmosphere was pleasant and the artwork on the walls was interesting. On arrival, it was pretty quiet but became noisier around lunchtime.

Food: The food was great, however the scrambled egg on the smashed avocado was more omelette-like.

Service: Great service and they were happy to leave us chatting after we ate - they didn't pressure us to leave. Services/facilities: Small restroom open to diners all on the same level (no stairs). Value for money: A little pricey but offers a wide variety of food and beverage options.

Did you know...

The world’s most expensive restaurant meal can be found at the Sublimotion at the Hard Rock Hotel in Ibiza and costs £1,746.77. The 20-course Mediterranean banquet features VR tech and immersive film projections, taking guests on a journey through different times, places, and stages of emotion over three hours.