Don’t let heat rash spoil your (responsible) sun holiday this year!

Prickly heat, heat rash or 'sweat rash' as it might be known - those itchy, sore little red spots that start to appear on wrists and the folds of forearms and creep up on you is a an allergic reaction to heat or sun exposure.

The 'prickles' are due to raised levels of histamine in the skin.

Natural antihistamine supplements include:

• Quercetin
• nettle leaf
• vitamin C
• flavonoid type antioxidants such as grape seed extract

Taken daily before and during your holiday may reduce the reaction.

• Swap to a natural sun screen as they allow your skin to breathe as the organic ingredients work with your skin, rather than stifling it. Here are a few examples

Discover how to maintain your Stellar Health when travelling especially if you have food intolerances here>>

 

Don't let tummy troubles and sunburn get in the way of your fun this summer. Here are a few summer essentials I always have in my beach bag.

• I pack a natural, mineral based sunscreen instead of the typical synthetic sun factor. You still get the same UVA and UVB protection but without the parabens and other chemical ingredients. Try Green People or Neal’s Yard available in factors 15-25.

A question I get asked a lot recently is: how can you stay healthy while you travel especially if you have food intolerances?

There is really nothing worse than being hungry and tired and not being able to find anything suitable to eat. The answer to this question of staying healthy while you’re travelling is to be super organised. I have a number of essentials that I take absolutely everywhere with me to stay energised and happy!

Before I go:
Make trail mix – I combine my favourite nuts, seeds, sultanas, goji berries, coconut flakes or cacao nibs and dried cranberries together and then take it with me in little sealable bags. I also leave some in my car. Happy snacking!

Homemade energy balls are also wonderful, but if I don’t have time to make my own I love Bounce Balls (healthfood stores) and they travel really well. Protein rich snacks such as these are the best for sustained energy levels and avoiding cravings.

The next thing I always take with me on holiday is a couple of packets of healthy, ‘free from’ bread so that I can buy some avocados and enjoy mashed avocado or banana on toast when I arrive. Biona do a really good millet bread that comes sliced and travels really well as it is small and compact. You’ll get this in the ‘Free From’ aisle in the supermarket or healthfood store.

On the plane, train or automobile:
I make sure I drink plenty water throughout the day and avoid drinks which dehydrate such as coffee, tea and alcohol.

Don’t rely on the tiny cups of water you get inflight. It’s never enough. I buy bottled mineral water once I’m through security to take with me on the plane. One 750ml bottle for short haul flights and two 1 Litre bottles for long haul flights.

I always bring some snacks for the journey. Everyone loves a freebie but the complementary snacks available on board are never healthy: high salt and totally refined. Instead reach for really portable and handbag friendly Nakd bars (supermarkets), oatcakes or Trek bars (Boots). Again these are protein rich, wholefood snacks to keep my blood sugar levels and energy balanced.

When I arrive:
When I arrive at my destination I buy some nuts, bananas and a selection of seasonal fruit from a local market or supermarket, natural plain yoghurt and where possible oat flakes. This combo makes a quick and delicious breakfast muesli or mid afternoon snack.

If you are dairy intolerant skip the muesli and just have the nuts and fruit.

This is when avocados, bananas and the millet bread come in really handy!

I love knowing I have something tasty to eat back in the hotel or apartment if I can’t find anything that works for me while I’m out.

Avoid sunburn and tummy troubles this summer holiday with my summer essentials here>>