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The clocks went forward on Saturday night which means millions of us have had a vague feeling of jet lag since yesterday.

However, for many women in Ireland, that feeling is all too familiar, and not given the attention it deserves.

Existing on six hours sleep, putting in long days at the office and attempting to maintain a social life takes its toll on our bodies, and we just need to accept exhaustion as a side effect, right?

Wrong.

All too often, women ignore symptoms of iron deficiency because they assume feeling tired and run-down is part and parcel of today’s hectic lifestyle.

Iron is vital when it comes to maintaining energy levels and boosting the immune system, so when you’re lacking in it, you automatically begin feeling tired and lethargic.

So, why don’t more women address the issue head-on?

Well, many of us fall into the trap of assuming that we’re on top form because we eat well, work-out regularly and get enough sleep, but it’s important to remember that various elements can have an impact on our iron stores.

“There are many life stages for women where iron levels become a watchpoint, such as at puberty, hormonal changes and during menstruation.  Even fitness regimes and changing your diet can impact iron stores,” explains Dr Eva Orsmond.

And that’s where Blueiron comes in.

A cult product in its native Finland, Blueiron, made with fresh mineral water and rich in immune-boosting vitamin C, is a liquid iron supplement which increases a person’s iron levels.

Unlike many traditional iron supplements, Blueiron is gentle on the digestive system resulting in fewer of the side effects most commonly associated with iron supplements, such as constipation or abdominal pain.

So, if you spent much of your day feeling like you're treading through treacle, it might be time for a burst of blueberries…

Oh, and while we have you; don't forget to have your say in the inaugural SHEmazing Awards this May! It's time to vote, and you can do it right here! 

 

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The 5:2; Dukan; Atkins, and juice-detoxes – there always seems to be a diet craze of sorts on offer.

But it can be hard to keep track of what foods we actually need in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Most of us are seriously lacking in the likes of fibre and potassium – things that are vital for our health. In fact, the Irish Nutrition And Dietetic Institute tells us that women need at least 24g of fibre every day, while the recommended amount of potassium is 4.7g.

Here, we detail five key nutrients that we all need in our diets – as well as some tasty foods where we can find them:

1. Fibre is an absolute necessity in our diet. It is essential for aiding digestion and keeping everything moving.

Where to get it? Some great sources of fibre are black beans (why not try making homemade burritos?), pears, raspberries and sweet potatoes.

2. Potassium is usually ignored when people are thinking about what they need in their diet, but it is actually the nutrient that keeps our hearts beating… who knew!

Where to get it? Bananas are loaded with potassium so grabbing one on your way to work in the mornings will get your day off to a good start. Baked potatoes with the skin, beetroot, and spinach are also great sources of potassium.

3. Vitamin D is best gotten from sunlight but thanks to our ever-frustrating Irish weather it’s very unlikely that many of us are producing the necessary amount.

Where to get it? Fish such as smoked salmon and tuna are a great source of vitamin D. Or, a very easy way to get your recommended daily allowance is by drinking fortified milk and fortified orange juice, or eating fortified cereal.

4. Iron is extremely important in the diet. A lot of women who suffer with general fatigue are not getting enough and because of our periods we need more iron in our diets than men. Vegetarian and vegan diets are especially difficult to maintain a sufficient intake of iron.

Where to get it? Great vegetable sources of iron are broccoli, edamame, lentils, spinach and cashews. But a beef steak is still the best way of boosting your iron intake as the type of iron in red meats is more easily absorbed by the body.

5. Calcium is crucial in maintaining healthy bones and preventing blood clots.

Where to get it? Kale, cabbage and broccoli are some of the best sources of calcium, as are low fat cheese, milk and yoghurt.

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