…food for health
‘When it comes to your diet, variety is truly the spice of life. It’s important to get the right balance. You must eat enough fibre in the form of fruit and vegetables, which also give you a natural form of starch and carbohydrate,’ says Dr Hilary. ‘Watch your protein intake to ensure it is sufficient for growth and for repair of body tissues. ‘You do need a small amount of fat but no more than 30% of your calorie intake should be from fat and no more than 30% of that should be from saturated fats, which come from full fat dairy products and fattier cuts of red meat for example.’

…alcohol
‘Most people like a drink. It’s relaxing and makes them more sociable, but there are upper limits for good reasons. These are 21-28 units for men per week and 14-21 units for women. But what’s a unit? ‘A unit is half a pint of beer, a small glass of wine or a pub measure of spirits,’ says Dr Hilary. ‘If we drink more than this, it can have a negative effect on our health. Excess alcohol consumption causes liver damage and affects other organs such as the brain, heart, gullet and digestive system. On top of this it can lead to accidents, relationship problems and trouble with the police. Think about how much you drink. Keep a tally this week and try being dry for a month and see how much energy you have and how healthy you feel.’

…stress
‘This can mean different things to different people. Too little stress means we are underused and restless and as we become more challenged by life’s workload, we generally feel more alert, more motivated and more stimulated. At our peak, we are working most effectively. Beyond that, too much work can make us feel tired, lacking in concentration and can lead to us functioning less effectively. ‘Stress has far reaching health implications affecting our voice, breathing, digestion, skin and heart,’ says Dr Hilary. ‘Keeping stress in balance is very important.’

You know you need to cut the stress in your life when…

• Your partner’s breathing starts to get on your nerves.
• Being cut up on the motorway prompts a 20- minute rant (to yourself).
• You were dangerously close to telling your mum to **** off but you managed to constrain yourself.
• The thought of arranging a luxury spa break with your best friend makes you feel tense.
• You’ve been banned from the local supermarket because of the many issues you’ve raised with innocent staff (in a very loud voice).

Pictures: shutterstock