If you're trying to have a baby, or thinking about starting a family in a few years, you may want to start taking notes.
According to new research, your man should be chowing down on nuts (sorry boys) as they increase his sperm count.
Researchers took 119 healthy males between the age of 18 and 35 and gave one group a portion of nuts whilst the other continued to eat as normal.
They found a 16 percent increase in sperm count from those who had the nuts.
Their sperm vitality also rose by 4 percent, sperm motility by 6 percent and sperm morphology by 1 percent.
The study was run in the Human Nutrition Unit of the Rovira i Virgili University in Spain, by lead author Dr Albert Salas-Huetos.
Dr Albert says they embarked on the study in response to "pollution, smoking, and trends toward a western-style diet," which is impacting the quality and quantity of human sperm.
The results also concluded that those who ate nuts had a “significant” fall in sperm DNA fragmentation, which is crucial for successful fertilisation and normal embryo development.
Before you run out and stock up on the nuts and force-feed them to your partner, the author said more investigations need to take place before they can solidly conclude the benefits of the nuts when baby-making.
“We can't yet say that based solely on the results of this study,” says Salas-Huetos.
During the 14-week study the men ate 60 grams of mixed almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts.
Dr Albert did say that if you want to try for a baby, evidence points to a healthy diet aiding your chances of conception.
“But evidence is accumulating in the literature that healthy lifestyle changes such as following a healthy dietary pattern might help conception – and of course, nuts are a key component of a Mediterranean healthy diet," he said.
It's never too early to get his swimmers fighting fit!
If you're hoping to be a little healthier than usual then you just need to try this delicious cheesecake. It is the perfect summer treat, especially when it is strawberry season!
Serves
12
Preparation Time
15 minutes
Cooking Time
40 minutes
Ingredients
450g light soft cheese
350g quark
3 eggs
25g sweetener
3 tsp vanilla extract
12 Aldi Harvest Morn Benefit 70 Cal Cereal Bars (or any equivalent of Slimming World approved cereal bars)
Strawberries, to decorate
Method
1. Break up the cereal bars and place in a microwave proof bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds until soft. Transfer into a lined round 15 to 20cm spring form cake tin and press down to create an even surface. Refrigerate.
2. Heat the oven to 180°C.
3. Place the light soft cheese, quark, sweetener, eggs and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl and whisk until smooth.
4. Pour the cheesecake mixture onto the base and bake for 35 to 40 minutes (if browning on the edges too soon, cover the top with some tinfoil until the time is up).
5. Remove from the oven, let cool then remove from the tin and place in the fridge until completely cold.
6. Decorate with strawberries and serve immediately.
We’re all wining and dining at home for a bit longer, but that doesn’t mean we have to compromise on the best quality food – and with the sunny weather, Aldi has a whole range of BBQ favourites and recipes that the whole family can get involved in! Stock up now in time for the next few weekends of sunshine.
Why not try these delicious chicken fillets with Italien sauce for dinner this evening?
Serves: 4 people
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
1 pack Chicken Mini Fillets
500g Passata
3 cloves Garlic
20g fresh Basil
3 tbsp Olive Oil
2 Courgettes – €0.49 per 500g at Aldi from May 28 – June 3
Salt
Pepper
Method:
1. Place the passata into a medium saucepan.
2. Crush 2 of the garlic cloves and add to the pan.
3. Bring to the boil, then simmer gently for 15 minutes, stirring regularly.
4. Finely chop 10g of the basil.
5. Remove the sauce from the heat.
6. Stir in 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the chopped basil.
7. Add salt and pepper to taste.
8. Thinly slice the courgettes lengthways.
9. Season with salt and pepper, drizzle over 1 tablespoon of oil and add a crushed garlic clove.
10. Season the chicken fillets with salt and pepper.
11. Drizzle over 1 tablespoon of oil.
12. Barbecue or grill the chicken and courgettes, turning halfway through, until cooked.
13. Place the sauce into a serving bowl and put the chicken and courgette on top.
SuperValu have everything you need this festive season to host the perfect party with their range of tasty Signature Tastes bites and nibbles. You’ll be sure to wow the crowd with minimum time in the kitchen! So whether it’s Christmas Eve drinks or a New Year’s Eve party, you’ll be covered for all celebrations.
Pick up any two of the SuperValu Signature Tastes party food range, for just for just €7, along with some bubbles to add some sparkle to your evening. SuperValu’s Grand Troya Cava Brut is just €12.00, down from €26.
Of course, no Irish Christmas is complete without the famous Superquinn Sausages. Developed with a unique recipe over 25 years ago and one of Ireland’s favourite products, Superquinn Sausages 492g are just €4 – a guaranteed crowd pleaser.
SuperValu Signature Tastes Mini Roasted Red Pepper Vols Au Vent 144g €5
A crispy puff pastry case glazed with free range egg and filled with a creamy roasted red pepper and Irish cream cheese filling.
SuperValu Signature Tastes Mini Pizza Selection 350g €5
4 x Italian buffalo, mozzarella and regato cheese, 2 x Irish chicken and Italian basil pesto and 2 x Italian spicy Piccante salami
SuperValu Signature Tastes Mini Irish Ham & Cheese Quiches 204g €5
With Irish ham, Irish free-range eggs, mature Irish cheddar, Emmental and Italian style hard cheese.
SuperValu Signature Tastes Mini Three Cheese & Chive Quiches 204g €5
With Irish free range eggs, mature white Irish cheddar, red Irish cheddar & Italian style hard cheese.
SuperValu Signature Tastes Pigs in Blankets 300g €5
Irish pork cocktail sausages filled with caramelised red onion marmalade and wrapped in dry cured bacon
SuperValu’s Christmas range will satisfy all the family over the holiday season, from festive fry-ups, to New Year’s Ever parties and everything in between. To see the full range of products in SuperValu this Christmas go in-store or online at www.supervalu.ie.
Starting with the obvious, Bunsen is seriously one of the most delicious burgers I have had touch my lips. Its toasted, Brioche bun and well-done patty is simply perfect. This is a great place if you are one of those people who can never decide what to order. Their minimalist menu cuts your choices down to two options: with or without cheese.
This place has the biggest burgers you have ever seen, and you will want every last bite. Quality, sirloin beef sandwiched between a generous amount of towering toppings. If you fill up quickly, I recommend ordering your patty in a wrap so that you can savour each morsel of quality beef. Make sure to try out their crispy sweet potato fries. They also have delicious veggie burgers as well.
Perfect for picky eaters or those with unique tastes, The Counter lets you build your own burgers. Choose your patty size, cheese type, sauce (they have over 20 kinds), and tasty toppings. I personally prefer adding a sunny-side up egg, crispy onion, bacon, and avocado on mine. They have amazing chicken wings as well. This restaurant provides the ultimate burger experience, letting you participate in creating a scrumptious burger tailored to your own taste.
It’s all in the name with these fast-food styled burgers. One bite alone will have you saying ‘WOW’. As a former Californian resident, I can say that this is the closest thing I have ever found to In-n-out. With just the perfect amount of cheese smothered grease, this grub is the perfect combination of top-quality food for a low-cost price. Plus, you can find most locations inside a pub, making it the perfect drunken munchie for those late-night cravings.
Best chicken burger I have ever had. Don’t let the name fool you, this is not a brunch place. The hipster eatery deals out fried chicken burgers that are finger-lickin’ good. They have a range of different sauces from buffalo to ranch dressing that soak into the crispy chicken creating a perfectly balanced texture. Their bacon mac n’ cheese and build-your-own cheesecake are must-eats as well. Keep in mind there is usually a longer wait, so make sure to put your name in before heading across the road to The Bleeding Horse for a pint.
If you’re a vegan, you know how hard it is to find a decent burger in the city that doesn't taste like straight-up cardboard. This place has the best animal-free patties in Dublin. It's top-notch vegan and vegetarian burgers are served with vegan mayo and vegan cheese on a soft, wholesome brown bun. The menu also has delectable bites for carnies as well, including buffalo chicken wings and gorgeous beef burgers. The homemade rustic wedges are favoured among all types of eaters. Oh, and did I mention they are vegan?
Yes, you read that right. Although it’s known primarily for its pizza, this underrated grubhub has fantastic burgers. These mouthwatering delights hit the spot after a long day of trying to eat healthy. Plus, all of their fries are made to order. And while their pizza is subpar in my opinion, they have the best cheeseburger combo in the city. You will not regret choosing Ray’s for your cheat meal.
Vintage arcade games, a variety of beers, scrumptious food – this is the ideal scene for you and your friends. Token’s burgers are made of tasty, grass-fed beef and are also available vegan-style. The vegan chick burger rivals that of On the Pig's Back. Also, their Out-n-In burger will change your life with its mouth-watering bacon jam spread. Check out their cheapskate deal that includes a main, side, drink, and ten tokens for games. There is also an entire floor of pinball machines, so what’s not to like at this hipster hangout?
This Sandymount burger joint seems causal from the outside, but its food is five-star rated. One bite will confirm that all ingredients are from local farms, making this unique restaurant completely sustainable. So, not only is your burger fresh and delicious, but it also supports small, struggling Irish farms. Make sure to try their limited-edition Au Poivre burger with peppered brie, portobello mushrooms, and dijon dressing. It pairs perfectly with their caramelised Guinness milkshake.
10. Borza’s Takeaway
Photo Credit: Google Reviews/Martha Solis
Looking for a late-night, greasy fix? Borza’s has bomb bites that will hit the spot. Their Italian pork sausage burger is a favourite for locals with its original, spicy flavours, allowing for the perfect amount of crunch with each savoury mouthful. This family-owned chipper goes the extra mile by making their own vinegar and freshly cut chips, which have become all the rage in Sandymount.
So, next time you have a hankering for a delish burger, try out one of these Dublin favourites.
From one foodie to another, these burgers are worth every penny.
I was lucky enough to visit The Hibernian Hotel in Mallow, Co.Cork over the weekend and I’m already itching to go back.
The warm and welcoming hotel, located in the heart of Mallow, has just launched their new Gastro menu and it is to die for.
I honestly haven’t been able to squeeze into my jeans since sampling the delicious new menu during my stay. I ate like a queen and I only wish I could go back for breakfast, lunch and dinner every single day.
I struggled to pick a main course because there are just so many options on the new menu. I eventually settled for the chicken supreme and for desert I chose the raspberry and dark chocolate brownie.
And I have to say I would happily eat it as my last meal.
One of the best things about the new Gastro menu is the fact that all the dishes are made from fresh, quality local ingredients.
The hotel is already renowned as one of the areas best eateries, this new menu elevates customer favourites and introduces a host of new must-try dishes.
Start your evening of dining with the divine Caprese Salad made with beef tomatoes dressed in basil and artisan olive oil and paired with Macroom Buffalo Mozzarella.
Other tasty options include Nachos with prime Irish beef, Sizzling Prawns and Soup du Jour, all of which use local ingredients where possible.
The sandwich options are sure to please all palates with pulled Ham Hock and Cheddar in a gourmet toastie, Pastrami with Swiss Cheese on freshly baked ciabatta and a Vegan Wrap bursting with a rainbow of vibrant flavours.
As well as the tasty chicken supreme, the Hibernian offers a variety of main courses that are prepared with the same love of a home cooked meal.
These dishes include Pan Fried Seabass, Beer Battered Haddock, Seafood Pie and Prime Irish fillet steak.
Indulgent, delicious and even some semi guilt-free desserts are sure to satisfy the craving for an after dinner treat. All made by French Pastry Chef, Carine Hamon, the desserts are renowned in Mallow and further afield.
Hibernian’s infamous Bread and Butter Pudding is another delectable dessert that marries Bramley Apples with cinnamon and custard. My dessert of choice is by far one of the nicest dishes- the sharp berries create a stark contrast to the rich dark chocolate used in the Brownie which is aptly paired with vanilla ice cream.
Flavour pairings of mint and chocolate are combined harmoniously in the Cheesecake while a Selection of Ice-Cream from Eldorado based in Clonakilty, Co. Cork will be the perfect finish to your meal.
January has been officially taken over by the vegans.
If you haven't heard of Veganuary yet – it's when people sign-up to take part in going vegan for the month of January.
Veganism is, of course, more than just a diet but the food is a massive part of the lifestyle.
That's why Dublin will host the Vegan Foodie Festival from January 24 to 27.
In its second year, the festival aims to show how easy and accessible it is to be vegan around the capital – and all at a special discount for participates.
SHEmazingspoke to the organiser, Katy Morgan who explained that 22 vegan restaurants will be taking part this year.
"We have 22 vegan or vegan-friendly restaurants on board, one beauty salon and two vegan bakeries," she said.
Although the festival is currently Dublin-based, Katy hopes to expand and bring it to other cities in Ireland this year.
If you've taken part in the popular foodie event last year, make a note that for 2019 you will need a ticket.
The tickets are €2.50 each and Katy advises to hold onto the one you buy for the entire festival.
Katy explained: "Tickets avail of all the special offers. All you need to do is to get a ticket and visit as many participating places with one ticket."
"Show it before making an order and inform them that you are here to celebrate Vegan Foodie Festival," she added.
We know Ireland has an obsession with burritos, but this is still a major deal given our population.
Boojum has some of the world's most loyal customers as their burrito came in at an impressive fourth place in this year’s overall top ten dishes on Deliveroo around the world.
Flex those burrito muscles, as the dish bet off the likes of Bubble Tea from Hong Kong and a Poke Bowl from Amsterdam.
Clearly the lovely people of Ireland have ignored any advice of avoiding avocado in order to afford a house, as the food platform has seen a massive demand for the tasty fruit and of course, the food God that is hummus.
But for next year, it looks like we will be tucking into savoury and healthy ice creams, but it'll be vegan and veggie variations that we will be obsessing over.
The sense of urgency to reduce our food waste is a prominent problem on our minds this year and the conscious eco-effort is being brought into the new year.
Root to Tip Cooking, involving the use of the full vegetable is a method of days gone by but will return and bring cooking back to basics.
Deliveroo predicts that restaurant partners on the platform will introduce innovative ways to reduce daily waste, by using the likes of root vegetable leaves to make tasty and flavoursome pestos to accompany dishes – big high five for this one.
The vegans are coming and nothing is stopping their rise. Vegan-friendly options have exploded on Deliveroo, increasing by 100 percent.
73 percent more vegan orders were placed on the platform in 2018.
And it looks like it isn't slowing down any time soon, as Deliveroo predicts an increase in Flexitarianism, where customers will dip in and out of meat dishes in favour of #MeatlessMonday and #GreenSunday.
Cereal is one of our ultimate meals and there's so much choice to be had.
To be honest, we are lazy AF, so pouring a bowl of cereal is perfectly acceptable as dinner.
But could our addiction to cereal be more about the sugar content, rather than the convenience?
An experiment conducted by Behind the Label revealed that we aren't actually pouring ourselves the 30g serving of cereal like we are suppose to.
In fact, we are doubling or tripling our portion sizes without even realising. – So put down the cereal box and take note.
The study asked participants to pour their regular breakfast bowl of cereal into either a small (standard soup) sized bowl or a larger dinner bowl.
And the results are pretty shocking.
The average portion of sweetened diet cereal was three times (93g) the recommended portion size, which meant bowl came in at 351 calories and a staggering 14g of sugar.
To put that into human terms, that's more sugar than a glazed doughnut, which contains 12.6g of the sweet stuff.
The standard Crunchy Cornflakes poured was double the guided portion size (78g), but the kicker came with the sugar content.
Hold onto your spoons as it came in at 27.46g of sugar, which adds up to two and half glazed doughnuts worth of sugar.
Granola isn't weighing up so fabulously either, participants helped themselves to portions almost double to what we are suppose to be having, which means they wolfed down 389 calories and 21.84g of sugar.
And finally, a Muesil brand was the best of a bad bunch with people having a double helping which equates to four grams of the white stuff and 308 calories.
The eye-opening results shows that we are overindulging in cereals and the labels aren't much to go by.
As we tuck into a bowl, we think we are being good and keeping it within a certain amount of calories, when we are actually blowing our wonderful intentions out of the water.
So put down the spoon, put the away the milk and go buy a weighing scales, if you really want accuracy.
Or alternatively, just be mindful that you're consuming more than you think and adjust accordingly.
Even though the results are shocking, our love of cereal wil be a hard one to break up with.
Our love/hate relationship with the first meal of the day is all too real.
However, this latest study has shown that chowing down in the morning before hitting a workout can "'prime" the body to burn carbs.
The findings also suggest that fuelling your workouts will allow the body to digest your post-workout meal much more efficiently.
The research was conducted by scientists from at Department for Health, in collaboration with experts from the universities of Birmingham, Newcastle and Stirling.
As many fitness junkies will know, fasting is becoming a hot trend amongst the Insta-fit population.
The scientists have taken note.
The researchers tested the blood glucose levels and muscle glycogen levels of the 12 healthy male volunteers who took part.
Participates were split into two groups, those who ate breakfast and those who were fasting overnight.
The scientists studied the volunteers before and after an hour’s cycle.
Those who ate brekkie were treated to porridge made with milk two hours before exercise.
The results were in and it's time to kick fasting to the curb.
Their evidence shows eating breakfast increases the rate at which the body burnt carbohydrates during exercise.
Furthermore, it boosts the rate at which the body digests and metabolises food eaten after exercise too.
Dr Javier Gonzalez, senior lecturer in the Department of Health who co-led the study, said:
“This is the first study to examine the ways in which breakfast before exercise influences our responses to meals after exercise.
"We found that, compared to skipping breakfast, eating breakfast before exercise increases the speed at which we digest, absorb and metabolise carbohydrate that we may eat after exercise.”
Rob Edinburgh, PhD student also in the Department who co-led the study, said:
“We also found that breakfast before exercise increases carbohydrate burning during exercise, and that this carbohydrate wasn't just coming from the breakfast that was just eaten, but also from carbohydrate stored in our muscles as glycogen.
"This increase in the use of muscle glycogen may explain why there was more rapid clearance of blood sugar after ‘lunch’ when breakfast had been consumed before exercise."
If this study is anything to go by, it's time to become well acquainted with breakfast again.
Nevertheless, my fellow fitness fans will know we are constantly bombarded with conflicting evidence.
This study shows that fasting before exercising can lead to burning extra fat during a session.
If you're undecided, it's best to speak to your doctor before embarking on a new diet or exercise plan.
