I am delighted to be joining Lauren and her team at Desert Health and also getting to know you, our wonderful readers!
While the UK is my primary home, my work has brought me to the desert for many years and I have fallen in love with its landscape and tranquillity. But it is you, the people, and the sense of community spirit and passion for health, I find so inspiring. I am looking forward to spending more time here on a regular basis.
So, a little bit about me. I am a qualified nutritional therapist, graduate of the University of Worcester in the UK, and have been practicing for over 25 years. I am also a television and radio presenter, and the go-to health and wellbeing expert for several national networks, including BBC, ITV, Sky News, GB News and Times Radio. I have my own television show, “The Monica Price Show,” featuring discussions with celebrity guests, influential business leaders and musical artists from around the world. I write regular nutrition and health articles for the Great British Life magazines in the UK and enjoy sharing my knowledge with a wide audience.
My passion is health. If I can change just one person’s life by helping them achieve their goals in nutrition and wellbeing, then I am happy. I have produced and presented many health shows showcasing numerous topics around the world including a documentary about autism which was nominated for a Royal Television Society Award in London.
And now I am here with you, which is very exciting!
In sharing my philosophy on health, I often say that you should consider your body a luxury car. In order to keep that car in top condition, it needs the right fuel and oil to maintain its performance, regular servicing to make sure it stays in excellent condition, and care and attention when things start to go wrong.
We often underestimate the power of our body and its ability to withstand illnesses and diseases, and the first line of defense is to live a healthy lifestyle and eat a healthy, balanced diet.
But what does that mean? A good place to start is to look at how much water you are drinking, especially in the desert. Do you start with coffee, but then forget to have any water throughout the day? This is one of the first things I ask clients as it tells me a lot about what could be happening to their bodies and the way they feel. Your body is made up of around 75% water so it’s really important to stay hydrated. Aim for 6 to 8 glasses a day and add fresh fruit if you really don’t like the taste. Any fluid counts but remember that caffeinated drinks can be dehydrating. Try adding fruits and vegetables with a high-water content such as melons or grapes.
In this column, I welcome your questions and encourage you to reach out. Here are a few I commonly receive:
I go to the gym regularly, but why am I not losing weight?
Exercise and nutrition go very much hand in hand. If you really want to lose weight then you not only need to exercise, but also review the foods that you are eating. Stick to lean proteins, plenty of vegetables and wholegrain foods. Avoid foods high in sugar, as they will give you an instant rush, but leave you feeling empty and hungry later.
Why do I feel tired all the time?
Make sure your daily intake of food and drink incorporates a nutrient-rich balance of fruits and vegetables, starchy carbohydrates, protein, milk products or dairy alternatives. The nutrients should also include smaller amounts of foods containing high levels of healthy fat, natural sugars and salt. This will ensure that your body is getting the right balance of vitamins and minerals it needs to stay healthy. Eat and drink regularly to keep yourself hydrated.
What kind of fat is the best to have?
The healthier source of fat is any monounsaturated fats. Good sources are olive oil, oily fish, almonds, pecans, hazelnuts, sesame and pumpkin seeds. Saturated fats are the fats found in butter, ghee, lard, dairy products, sausages, pies, biscuits, cakes and confectionary. These fats, as well as the trans fats found in processed and fried foods, are considered more harmful to your body, so try to limit these.
If you are really serious about wanting to become healthier, then I recommend keeping a food diary for a week. There are apps for that! This is an excellent tool for you to actually see what you are eating and drinking each day. Include everything: the glass of wine, the couple of biscuits you had with your coffee and the late-night supper. By including the weekend, you may perhaps see how your eating habits change. If you are at work, for example, you may not eat as much, but on weekends, you may have more food and drink. It’s all about the balance, and if you get that right, you are on the path to a healthier lifestyle.
Nutrition is a vast and ever-evolving topic, and there’s always more to explore. I look forward to delving into a wide array of topics and sharing my expertise with you. If you have any questions, thoughts or ideas you would like me to cover, please do get in touch as I would be thrilled to hear from you.
Remember your health is your wealth, so invest wisely.
Desert Health is delighted to welcome Monica Price as our latest columnist. She invites your questions and ideas and may be reached at monica@monica-price.co.uk monica-price.co.uk
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