The guilt. The judgment. The shame. Beneath the headlines about ultraprocessed foods, the information can feel personal. We should all be spending twice as long in the supermarket reading the food labels and cooking from scratch, right? But here’s the thing that’s really important to remember: the UPF debate isn’t about us as individuals. It’s about our food system.

You haven’t changed what you eat, you’re still active – yet somehow you're putting on weight. If that sounds familiar, you’re not imagining it. Midlife weight gain is incredibly common, and it’s rarely down to willpower. The truth is that your body is changing in ways that make holding onto weight easier, and losing it harder. Understanding why that happens takes the frustration out of it and helps you focus on what actually works.

Fresh herbs aren’t just for garnish, they’re little nutrient powerhouses that can enhance your meals and your health. Packed with antioxidants, vitamins and other plant compounds, herbs can support your metabolism, immune system and help to manage inflammation. The key is using them while they’re fresh, and knowing how to store or preserve them so you can enjoy them throughout the week. In this blog, I present 5 simple ways to supercharge your meals with herbs.