Latest news with #mealPrep
Telegraph
an hour ago
- Health
- Telegraph
Rainbow rice bowl
This is a very substantial dish, packed with a host of health-boosting ingredients. It's also super-adaptable, so feel free to add or swap in some of the optional additions listed below to adapt it to your tastes and add some variety to your weekly lunches. Fiber: 12g Protein: 14g Plant points: 10.25 Overview Prep time 15 mins Cook time 15 mins Serves 2 Ingredients 100g (1⁄2 cup/3 1⁄2oz) long-grain brown rice 1 large carrot, peeled and julienned or grated 2 medium cooked vac-packed beetroots (beets), sliced 1⁄3 cucumber, sliced into half moons 1 avocado, peeled, de-stoned, and sliced 8 radishes, sliced 4 tbsp kimchi or sauerkraut 3 tsp toasted white or black sesame seeds 2 spring onions (scallions), finely sliced For the dressing Juice of 1 lime 1 tsp brown sugar or maple syrup 2 tbsp tamari or soy sauce 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 4 tsp sesame oil Optional additions Wilted baby spinach (or frozen and defrosted spinach) Sliced red (bell) pepper Shredded red cabbage Roasted tofu cubes Spicy mayonnaise (combine the aquafaba mayo on page 207 with some lime juice and your favourite hot sauce) Boiled eggs Grilled chicken Tuna
CNN
25-05-2025
- Health
- CNN
I've tried dozens of detox diets. This is the only one I actually enjoyed
Over the years, I've tried many different detoxes and diets with the goal of losing weight fast. Spoiler alert: None of them worked. Most detoxes I've tried — and I've tried a lot — usually focus on cutting out major food groups and starving the body of important nutrients. So, when I was asked to review Splendid Spoon's Five-Day Detox, which claims 'you'll never want it to end,' to say I was skeptical is an understatement. As I read more about the program, I was intrigued. Splendid Spoon markets itself as an eating regimen designed to reduce inflammation, reinforce healthy eating habits and help support your gut microbiome. It features six 'meal moments' every day, which starts with a warm breakfast, ends with a superfood shot, and has four meals in between. These can range from a hearty soup, a smoothie or a dish like coconut curry rice and veggie ragout. A detox that doesn't thrive on deprivation? Where do I sign up? Splendid Spoon The Splendid 5-Day Detox Splendid Spoon's Five-Day Detox was surprisingly flavorful and filling. With six "meal moments" per day, which includes everything from overnight oats, to soup, rice bowls, smoothies and wellness shots, I never felt like I was depriving myself, and the macros in every meal were clearly laid out on the information card. I especially loved how convenient it was to grab a meal or snack on the go. What's more, we secured an exclusive discount for CNN readers: It's 20% off now through May 30. Splendid Spoon's detox is based around the concept of intermittent fasting, which is an eating plan that consists of periods of eating and periods of fasting throughout the day (including the time you're asleep), usually in a 16:8 ratio of fasting to eating. This is what Splendid Spoon recommends during the five days, meaning you will be eating or drinking something every one to two hours in your eating window, but you can adjust to your needs and schedule (I fasted for 14 hours and ate for 10, so I was eating from 8am-6pm and fasting from 6pm until the next morning). All the meals arrive frozen and clearly marked for the duration of the five days. Just pop the next day's meals and smoothies into the fridge at least 24 hours in advance to thaw, then when you are ready to eat them, reheat them in the microwave or oven. A day on this detox could see you having overnight oats for breakfast, a midmorning smoothie, a hearty soup for lunch, then a rice or lentil dish for dinner followed by another smoothie as 'dessert.' Then your last sip of the day is a wellness shot. After that, your fasting hours begin, so it's imperative you plan your day around the eating plan. As with any detox or drastic change to your diet, you should consult a doctor before doing this, especially if you've never tried intermittent fasting before. 'Intermittent fasting isn't for everyone,' said registered dietitian nutritionist Frances Largeman-Roth. 'It's not necessarily a safe way to lose weight, though it is effective for many people. It's not appropriate if you have a serious medical condition that requires medication, and it's obviously not a good choice if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.' As someone who has done intermittent fasting many times over the years, I already knew what to expect and what I was getting myself into. Over the years, I've learned how important it is to plan your 'eating windows' in advance and drink lots of water throughout the program. I started my five-day detox on a Friday and finished on Tuesday so it was easy to fit around my weekend schedule. This was especially helpful at the start of the detox, when I found myself feeling tired and going to the bathroom a lot. Since the main ingredient of most meals is water and each day you are eating at least 40 grams of fiber, you will have to go more often than usual. Price and convenience Though the Splendid Spoon Five-Day Detox is not cheap at $314 when not on sale, when you break that down, it comes out to $10 to $11 per meal moment. Considering a salad costs almost $20 in New York these days, the cost was a no-brainer for me. Not to mention, the time I saved by not having to shop for groceries, prep the food and cook it. I appreciated having tasty and healthy foods to grab or heat on the go, never worrying that I was making unhealthy choices by mindless snacking or missing out on key nutrients. Tasty and satisfying meals I was truly impressed by the variety of food and how delicious most of it was. The meals were very flavorful and filling, and I didn't feel deprived over the course of the five days. I rarely felt hungry on this detox, compared to others I've done in the past. Was I hungry in the mornings after fasting? Sure, but I'm always hungry in the mornings (there's a reason why breakfast is my favorite meal of the day). But eating a small meal or drinking a smoothie every two hours during your eating window really satiates your hunger — some days I didn't even eat all the meals. The first day or two I felt a little more tired than usual, probably due to cutting down sugar and caffeine since I admittedly consume too much of both in my regular diet. But this signaled to me that the detox was doing its job, and the symptoms were very manageable. By Day Three, the tiredness had subsided, and I felt really light and energetic. I even found that my sugar and caffeine cravings had dissipated slightly. By the time Day Five came around, I felt truly great — and not hungry or deprived or ready to eat everything in sight, as I have with previous detoxes. In fact, true to Splendid Spoon's claims, I wasn't ready for this to end and actually continued for a sixth day (I had some meals leftover from previous days when I felt full and didn't need all six meal moments). Transparent nutritional information Since all the macronutrients for each day are clearly noted in an included menu card that you can stick to your fridge, you know exactly how much protein, fat, sugar and fiber you are consuming during the program. I've been fooled in the past by meal delivery services that market themselves as healthy, but a deeper dive into ingredients and other stats reveals otherwise. The Splendid Spoon program, however, is plant-based, gluten-free and dairy-free, yet somehow managed to be delicious. I never even knew such a thing existed. End results Although I did lose a few pounds after the five days, what I noticed most was the change in my mood, energy and sugar cravings. My face looked less bloated and, my skin looked brighter. In fact, a stranger on the subway told me I had amazing skin, which has never happened to me before. As previously stated, the meals are mainly delicious, but I was definitely craving something crunchy and with a little more substance by the end of the program. There are only so many soups and smoothies you can drink without getting bored. That being said, as far as detoxes go, this was definitely one of the more pleasurable ones I've tried. Dare I say, I actually enjoyed it? Would I do this detox again? Absolutely yes, and there aren't many detoxes I can say that about. This is an easy and healthy way to reset your body after overindulging or if you're getting ready for an important event and want to prep. But the price and convenience was the biggest draw for me. In fact, I've already recommended it to a few friends, and now, you. The following FAQs have been answered by registered dietician nutritionists Keri Gans and Frances Largeman-Roth, along with information found on Splendid Spoon's website. What should you know before buying the Splendid Spoon Five-Day Detox? What should you know before buying the Splendid Spoon Five-Day Detox? As with any detox or drastic change in diet, you should always consult a doctor beforehand in case there are any health implications. You should also check Splendid Spoon's ingredient list to ensure there are no allergy concerns. It's also important to remember that 'your body detoxes itself daily through the liver, kidneys, lungs and skin; therefore no special diet [is] needed,' Gans said. 'Most detox plans are overly restrictive, lack scientific support and don't offer lasting benefits.' So, when talking to your doctor, make sure to take all the facts into consideration and go into it with accurate expectations. How many days is it safe to detox? How many days is it safe to detox? According to Largeman-Roth, it depends. 'Most detoxes are simply extremely low-calorie eating plans that promise better skin, better energy or tummy flattening. They don't teach you how to make healthy eating choices that are sustainable,' she said. 'You might definitely experience weight loss on a detox plan because it will likely only provide 800 to 1,200 calories per day. Unfortunately, once you go off the detox, the weight you've lost is likely to be regained quickly. A better idea? Eating balanced meals that provide you with enough energy and have a mix of protein, carbs and healthy fats.' (Calories on Splendid Spoon's Five-Day Detox average 1,500 per day.) Gans agrees that detoxes can have negative impacts on overall health. 'In the short term, detoxes can lead to fatigue, headaches and dehydration, especially when they involve extreme calorie restriction,' she said. 'Over the long term, they may cause nutrient deficiencies, digestive issues and contribute to an unhealthy relationship with food.' How long should you wait between meals while on the Splendid Spoon Five-Day Detox? How long should you wait between meals while on the Splendid Spoon Five-Day Detox? You are expected to eat the meals within your eating window. Splendid Spoon's guidance is that you fast for 16 hours and eat for eight hours, so with six meal moments per day, this means you will eat or sip something every one to two hours between meals. How many meals are included in the Splendid Spoon Five-Day Detox? How many meals are included in the Splendid Spoon Five-Day Detox? Over the five-day duration of the detox, there are six meal moments per day, which include smoothies and wellness shots. There are 25 whole food meals, including breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus two daily smoothies, and five superfood shots (one per day). How are the meals for the Splendid Spoon Five-Day Detox delivered? How are the meals for the Splendid Spoon Five-Day Detox delivered? The meals arrive frozen and ready-made, delivered with dry ice to keep everything cool in transit. According to the website, 'Smoothies and shots should stay in your refrigerator and be shaken vigorously before enjoying. Oats, soups and dishes are best stored in your freezer, or in your fridge for one to two days prior to consumption. All meals are ready in five minutes or less.' For this article, we consulted the following experts to gain their professional insights. Keri Gans, registered dietician nutritionist and certified yoga teacher with more than 20 years of experience, author of 'The Small Change Diet,' and host of the podcast 'The Keri Report' Frances Largeman-Roth, registered dietician nutritionist, wellness expert and New York Times bestselling author of 'The Carb Lovers Diet' CNN Underscored editors thoroughly test many of the products we cover and provide full transparency about how we test them. We have a skilled team of writers and editors who have many years of testing experience and ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when it relevant to make certain we are testing each product accurately and speaking to the pros and cons of each item. For this article, managing editor Rachel Quigley went hands-on with the Splendid Spoon's Five-Day Detox to see if it's worth the price, in addition to consulting nutrition experts.
The Sun
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Four savvy tips to get on top of weekly admin and planning to save cash
A SUNDAY reset – where you get on top of your weekly admin and planning – is a great way to prepare for the Monday-to-Friday grind. Not only will it save you time in the working week, it should also save you money. Here's some tips . . . PREP MEALS: This is a cornerstone of the Sunday reset. By batch-cooking dishes, you can avoid last-minute take-aways or pricey ready meals. Your batch-cook menu might include Bolognese sauce, a chicken or veggie curry or chilli, and a sausage casserole. All of them can be cooked in advance, divided into portions and kept in the fridge or freezer for an easy mid-week meal. ZAP ADMIN: Now is the time to tackle your overflowing inbox and towering pile of papers. Go through your paperwork and bills and dedicate an hour or two to sorting-out-your-life admin. If you've got a friend's birthday looming, choose a present now, instead of making a more expensive panic buy. Still got an hour to spare? Delete emails you don't need, and unsubscribe from mailing lists. Then do a thorough blitz of recent photos on your phone, only keeping the ones you really want. MAKE A BUDGET: Review what you spent over the last seven days, so you can see where you could have saved. Once that's done, you can create a budget for the week ahead. Track subscriptions and cancel any you don't use, then work out how to budget for big costs over the longer term. CREATE A CALENDAR: Look at what's coming up in the weeks ahead and add to your diary or calendar. Hidden button to get designer dupes at a massive discount Note the dates of upcoming bills and write down important deadlines or appointments. Schedule tasks such as fine payments, or return dates, to avoid late fees. All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability. 7 Deal of the day FOR fancy floors, Dunelm's Hani floral wool rug (160 x 230cm) is down from £249 to £174.30. Cheap treat 7 COMPLETE your look with Tula black-and-gold earrings from Oliver Bonas, down from £19.50 to £5. Top swap 7 GET that happy feeling with Magnum Euphoria pink lemonade sticks, £4.25 at Sainsbury's for three, or cool off with Gianni's Luxury Pink Lemonade Chocsticks, from Aldi, £2.49. Shop & save SURF Magnifi-Scent Wash sunshine blossom laundry detergent is half price with a Tesco Clubcard, down from £6.50 to £3.25.= PLAY NOW TO WIN £200 7 JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle. Every month we're giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers - whether you're saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered. Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket.
CNET
15-05-2025
- Health
- CNET
That Leftover Rice Could Be Dangerous. Here's How
Meal prepping is a great way to save time and ensure you have dinner during the week so that you aren't spending time in the kitchen after a long day at work. However, not all foods are made for reheating. While staples like chicken and vegetables are easy to reheat, rice can be dangerous. If you've ever wondered whether it's safe to eat leftover rice, there are some things to be aware of before popping it in the microwave. There's a small but very real chance that eating leftover rice or pasta could give you food poisoning. The effects are sometimes referred to as "fried rice syndrome," since fried rice is typically made with leftover rice. Not only can old rice make your stomach miserable, you might even end up in the emergency room. Reddit users have reported some harrowing experiences with "fried rice syndrome," so you'll definitely want to avoid this form of food poisoning. Here's why you may want to avoid preparing a large serving of rice for the week ahead, and how you can properly store and prepare rice to prevent possible food poisoning. For more health tips, check out 12 probiotic foods that will make your stomach happy and learn why the "rizempic" trend could be dangerous. Why does leftover rice have a risk of food poisoning? All varieties of uncooked rice can contain spores of Bacillus cereus, a bacterium that can cause gastrointestinal illness like vomiting or diarrhea. The spores are heat-resistant and don't die when cooked. As the rice cools and enters the food danger zone of between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, the bacteria begins to quickly reproduce. There are about 63,400 cases of food poisoning from Bacillus cereus every year in the US, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The big risk for food poisoning arises when rice is sitting out for more than an hour -- that's when the spores of bacteria can multiply greatly. The bacteria isn't a problem if you eat the rice right away. Illness is much more common from eating rice that has sat out at room temperature for a few hours, gets refrigerated and is then eaten a few days later. If your rice sits out for two hours at room temperature or one hour at 90 degrees Fahrenheit, it should be thrown away, according to Food Network. What's the best way to store rice to avoid food poisoning? To prevent food poisoning, you should put your leftover rice in the refrigerator soon after you're done cooking it -- the UK's National Health Service recommends storing it "ideally within one hour" -- and limit the amount of time your leftover rice is in the refrigerator. However, you want to be careful to not put a hot container of food in the refrigerator, because that can increase the temperature of other foods and possibly lead to bacterial growth there as well. Food Network recommends portioning the large batch of rice into smaller containers and cooling the rice to room temperature (around 70 degrees). The NHS recommends keeping your rice in the fridge for no more than one day until reheating, while the US Department of Agriculture's FoodKeeper app says you can store cooked rice for four to six days. Food Network says you can continue reheating the rice throughout the three to four days that it has been stored, while the NHS recommends not reheating more than once. What is the safest way to reheat leftover rice? If you are planning on reheating your rice, ensure that the rice comes out of the microwave or off the stove top steaming hot with an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. And the next time you're craving rice, limit the amount you make to what you and your dinner companions plan on eating that day. This also helps to prevent food waste, alongside the benefits of avoiding food poisoning.
