May Simpkin Nutrition

04/03/2026

02/03/2026

Porridge doesn’t need instructions on the back of a packet…use these easy ratios and you’ll make a perfect porridge bowl every time!

For 2 people

2 espresso size cups of oats
2 tablespoons chia seeds

Plus equal measures of milk for the oats…so
2 cups

and…

as chia seeds expand to up to 12 times their size, you’ll need an extra cup of milk for the chia seeds too.

When they swell in your stomach, they’ll also keep you full!

Buying oats is far cheaper than the refined instant version and when you see how easy it is to make, there’s no need to spend more than you need to for something that may well have additional ingredients (like sugar!) you don’t need!

Share this with someone who doesn’t know that making a porridge bowl is this easy!

01/03/2026

Confession: I don’t buy bananas!🍌

Not because they’re “bad.” Not because I’m anti-fruit. And definitely not because sugar is the enemy.

A typical banana is a high carbohydrate fruit, much of it as natural sugar. That makes it brilliant for quick energy, ideal post-workout or long walks.

But for an everyday snack? I personally prefer something that releases energy more slowly and keeps me fuller for longer.

I’m usually reaching for fruit paired with protein or fat (berries and yoghurt, apple and nuts) or fruit that’s a little lower on the sugar scale, like apples, berries and citrus fruits. Tropical fruits like mango and pineapple are also high in sugar.

It’s about blood sugar stability, sustained energy and fewer 4pm slumps!

And potassium? It’s not exclusive to bananas! Tomatoes, beans, yoghurt, leafy greens are all good sources.

What’s the one “healthy” food you choose not to buy and why?

27/02/2026

Those slightly soft mushrooms at the back of the fridge…don’t throw them away!

This is a fun way to use them up, easy mushroom & goat’s cheese tarts that feel far more “weekend lunch” than a standard sandwich.

Mushrooms are naturally rich in beta-glucans, compounds that support immune health. They’re rich in fibre and they’re also one of the few food sources of vitamin D.

When you cook them properly, their flavour intensifies beautifully. Add a little butter and olive oil for delicious flavours, a touch of mustard to lift everything and creamy goat’s cheese for protein and calcium and suddenly this becomes a properly balanced plate.

Served on a bed of lettuce for colour and fibre, it’s simple, satisfying and far more interesting than a sandwich!

Good food doesn’t need to be complicated.

Sometimes it just needs rescuing from the back of the fridge.

Save this for the weekend!

26/02/2026

Spot the difference 👀

One is butter.

The other is “spreadable” and only 50% of it is actually butter.

The rest? Water and added oils to keep it soft straight from the fridge.

Now, this isn’t about fear but it’s important to be aware.

When you choose real butter, you’re getting a simple ingredient: cream (and sometimes salt). That’s it. Naturally occurring fat-soluble vitamins like A and E.

The spreadable version isn’t “bad” but it is more processed. And if you’re reaching for butter, it’s worth asking… do you actually want butter, or something engineered to behave differently?

Sometimes you prefer convenience and that’s fine but also consider the price difference! You’re paying more per kilo for the spreadable version…because it’s been processed.

Just know what you’re buying!

👉 Next time you’re in the supermarket, turn the pack over and check the ingredients. Then tell me which one are you choosing?

26/02/2026

recently switched from semi-skimmed to whole milk and here’s why?

Milk contains fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E & K, which quite literally require fat for proper absorption. When you reduce the fat, you slightly alter that natural structure. Keeping the milk whole means those nutrients come packaged the way they were intended.

There’s also the satiety factor. Whole milk is creamier and more satisfying, so I tend to use less and feel more content.

My porridge keeps me going for longer, coffee feels balanced rather than thin and I’m less likely to go hunting for something sweet mid-morning.

And interestingly, it actually lasts longer in my fridge, simply because it’s richer, I don’t pour it as freely! A small amount goes further.

For years, lower-fat options were seen as the default “healthy” choice. But nutrition isn’t just about removing fat, it’s about how a food functions in the body and how it supports appetite, satisfaction and overall balance.

Sometimes the more natural version simply works better.

Which milk do you prefer?

23/02/2026

I nearly filmed a recipe instead of doing this workout!

But in a case of “mind over matter”….the workout won!

Here’s the truth, strength training isn’t necesarilly about aesthetics for me, it’s about building muscle so I can move well, stay capable, protect my joints, support my metabolism and keep doing the things I love for as long as possible.

Muscle is metabolic tissue. It supports balance and long-term independence. As we get older, it’s protective.

Your body needs consistent investment.

I’m happy the workout won and was secured for the day. 💪

In case you’re wondering, the filming happened too!!

22/02/2026

Instead of asking, “Is pizza healthy?”
Ask, “How close to nature is it?”

A base made from flour, yeast, water and salt.

Tomato sauce that’s actually tomatoes, garlic and olive oil.

Real mozzarella.

Vegetables you can recognise.

That’s food!

The closer your meal is to its original ingredients, the more fibre, micronutrients and natural structure it contains.

And that structure matters , it slows digestion, supports blood sugar balance and feeds your gut microbes.

Pizza isn’t the issue, highly processed versions are.

Upgrade the ingredients and add colour.

Pizza night doesn’t need guilt. It just needs better building blocks. 🍕

22/02/2026

Store Cupboard Tomato Soup ✨🍅

Proof that you don’t need a big shop to make something comforting and delicious. This homemade tomato soup is made entirely from ingredients I always have on hand…tinned tomatoes, onions, garlic, olive oil, smoked paprika and chilli flakes.

It’s simple, quick, affordable and full of flavour. Plus, it’s a great example of how layering basic ingredients properly builds depth

Save this RECIPE for your next “nothing in the fridge” day 🧡

Simple Store Cupboard Tomato Soup Recipe

Serves 2–3

🥄 Ingredients:
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp chilli flakes (adjust to taste)
• 2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes
• Salt & pepper to taste

👩‍🍳 Method:
1. Add the onion and garlic and olive oil and cook 10 mins over medium heat until soft and slightly golden.
2. Add the tinned tomatoes, smoked paprika and chilli flakes.
3. Simmer for 10 mins.
4. Blend until smooth
5. Taste and adjust seasoning.

Serve with crusty bread, a drizzle of olive oil, or a grilled cheese toastie on the side!

Simple ingredients that you are likely to already have in the cupboard. ❤️

21/02/2026

Your symptoms aren’t random, they’re signals that your body is giving to alert you of an imbalance.

Before reaching for another over-the-counter fix, ask:
👉 What is my body trying to tell me?

Most medications manage symptoms.

Functional medicine looks for the root cause. So start with:
🥗 Nutrition
😴 Sleep
🏃 Movement
🧠 Managing stress
🌿 Considerably your environment

Small lifestyle shifts can create big changes when they address the “why?”, not just the “what?”

If you’re ready to learn how to support your body instead of silencing it, follow along. I’ll show you how to start.

For the ultimate kick start, consider joining me on my next retreat. You’ll live that lifestyle in the beautiful rural Loire valley France but more importantly, you’ll know exactly what to do to keep up with a healthier way of eating and living when you come back. Full details in the link in my bio.