We regularly publish some great healthy living tips, new recipes and other Prune tidbits on our blog
R443 Crispy Dumpling with Prune Dip
Posted Fri, Sep 22, 23 by Sunsweet
- Clean the leek, cut in half lengthwise, wash and cut into fine rings. Clean and wash the pak choi and cut into fine strips. Clean, peel and grate the carrots. Peel the ginger and garlic, chop very finely. Clean 1 chilli pepper, cut in half. Wash the chilli pepper and chop finely. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a pan. Sauté leek and carrots for 2-3 minutes. Add the remaining prepared ingredients and continue frying for 2-3 minutes. Add 3 tablespoons of soya sauce and mix well, remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Coarsely dice prunes. Finely purée with 5 tablespoons of soya sauce and sriracha. If the sauce is too thick, stir in some water.
- Fill a large deep dish plate with water. Dip 1 sheet of rice paper into it for a few seconds until it becomes pliable, carefully place rice paper on another plate. Place about 1 heaping tablespoon of the vegetable mixture on the bottom centre of the rice paper. Fold rice paper over the filling from below, fold in the sides and roll up. Turn the rice paper roll in sesame seeds. Continue like this until the rice paper and filling are used up.
- Heat 4 tablespoons of oil in a pan. Fry the dumplings until golden brown and crispy. Clean 2 chilli peppers, cut them into rings and wash them so that the seeds are removed. Clean and wash the spring onion and cut into fine rings. Garnish dumplings with basil, spring onions and chilli rings. Serve with plum sauce.
R444 Pastrami Cones with Prunes
Posted Fri, Sep 22, 23 by Sunsweet
- Clean and wash the pointed cabbage and cut it into fine rings. Peel and finely dice the onion. Mix both, season with 1 teaspoon salt and a little sugar, knead everything well with your hands. Turn tortilla wraps into cones, pin with wooden skewers. Heat 4 tablespoons of oil in portions in a pan, add 2 cones to the pan one after the other and fry over medium heat, turning until golden brown. Remove from the oven and place on paper towels to ab-sorb the oil.
- Mix mayonnaise with chilli sauce. Cut the pastrami into strips. Mix the prunes and 2 tablespoons of oil into the pointed cabbage, season to taste again. Fill the cones with pointed cabbage and pastrami, spread chilli sauce on top and serve immediately.
R445 Prune Yoghurt Parfait
Posted Fri, Sep 22, 23 by Sunsweet
- For the sauce, wash the cherries, cut them in half and remove the pits. Coarsely dice the halves. Caramelise the sugar in a saucepan until golden brown. Add the cherries and simmer, covered, over medium heat for about 5 minutes until the fruits are soft. Remove from heat, pour into a tall mixing bowl and purée finely. Let cool. Cut 100 g of prunes into small cubes.
- For the parfait mixture, mix condensed milk and yoghurt. Whip the cream until stiff and fold in with the diced prunes. Line a loaf pan (30 cm long) with cling film. Pour some yoghurt cream into the tin and spread. Put some sauce and meringue on top. Put cream on top again and spread. Continue with the sauce, meringue and cream until the cream is used up, finishing with cream. Freeze overnight. Chill the remaining prune sauce.
- Dip the tin into hot water and turn it out onto a plate, remove the film. Spread the rest of the sauce on the parfait and decorate with meringue and 50 g prunes. Serve immediately.
R446 Mushroom Shawarma with Prunes
Posted Fri, Sep 22, 23 by Sunsweet
- Clean oyster mushrooms. Mix the yeast flakes, paprika powder, garlic powder, gyro spice, starch and 1 teaspoon salt. Mix with 3 tablespoons of oil until smooth. Add marinade to the mushrooms, mix everything well and set aside.
- For the flatbread mix flour, baking powder and 1 teaspoon of salt. Add yoghurt, 80 ml of oil and oat milk. Knead everything into a smooth dough. If it is too sticky, add a little more flour. Cover and set aside.
- Wash and clean the lettuce and cut into fine strips. Wash and clean the tomatoes and chop them into small cubes. Peel the onions and slice into fine rings. Wash the parsley, shake dry and chop the leaves. Mix tomatoes, onions and parsley, season with salt and pepper.
R447 Ramen Burger with Prune Mayonnaise
Posted Fri, Sep 22, 23 by Sunsweet
- Boil the noodles according to the instructions on the package. Drain, rinse with cold water and strain well. Beat 1 egg, add to the noodles, mix well and season with salt and pepper.
- Finely chop 50 g of prunes. Knead the ground beef with prunes, 1 egg, soya sauce, ½ teaspoon salt and pepper well. Form 6 patties (approx. 8 cm) and refrigerate. Finely purée 100 g prunes with mayonnaise and tomato paste. Season with salt and paprika. Cut the avocado in half, remove the pit, remove the flesh from the peel and cut into slices. Drizzle with lime juice. Cut the tomatoes into thin slices. Wash the spinach, strain well.
- Brush 4 dessert rings (approx. 8 cm) with oil on the inside. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large, non-stick pan. Place dessert rings in the pan. Add a little noodle mixture and fry over medium heat for about 2 minutes. Remove the rings, flip the patties and fry for another 2 minutes. Work in another 2 tablespoons of oil and the rest of the noodle mixture in the same way.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in the pan. Fry patties for 3-4 minutes on each side. Place 1 noodle bun on each of six plates, top with spinach. Spread prune mayonnaise on top. Top with tomatoes, patties, avocado and approx. 50 g of prunes. Place a second noodle bun on top to cover.
R448 Rainbow Rice Bowl with Prunes
Posted Fri, Sep 22, 23 by Sunsweet
- Add peanut butter, soya sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar and sesame oil to a tall mixing cup. Peel the garlic and ginger, chop finely, add to cup with 100 ml of warm water. Purée everything finely. If the sauce is still too thick, mix in a little more water. Season with sriracha and possibly salt.
- Cut the chicken into pieces. Clean and wash the peppers and cut them into large pieces. Distribute chicken and peppers in a baking dish. Season with salt and pepper. Add 2 tablespoons of sauce and mix well. In pre-heated oven (top/bottom heat: 200°C / convection: 180°C) bake approx. 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook the rice in boiling salted water according to the instructions on the package. Wash cucumber, peel carrots. Create wide lengthwise strips using a vegetable peeler. Mix both and season with salt. Clean and wash the spring onions and cut them into fine rings. Cut chilli peppers into fine rings and wash them so that the seeds are removed. Drain the rice and strain it.
- Distribute rice into 4 bowls. Spread the oven chicken mix, cucumber mix, gravy and prunes on top. Sprinkle with chilli peppers and spring onions and serve immediately.
R449 Sticky Tofu with Prunes
Posted Fri, Sep 22, 23 by Sunsweet
- Place the tofu between paper towels and weigh it down for about 15 minutes. Mix 2 teaspoons of cornstarch with 125 ml of water. Peel and finely chop the garlic. Peel the ginger and grate finely. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a pan, sauté garlic, ginger and ½ teaspoon chilli flakes. Add tomato paste, maple syrup, 1 tablespoon soya sauce and lime juice. Pour in the mixed starch and bring everything to boil while stirring. Simmer for 1 minute and remove from heat.
- Cook the rice in boiling salted water according to the instructions on the package, cut the tofu into cubes, place in a bowl. Add 5 tablespoons of starch, 2 tablespoons of soya sauce and 1 tablespoon of oil and mix well. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in another pan, fry the tofu until golden brown. Add the sauce and mix well. Mix in prunes.
- Clean and wash the spring onions and cut them into rings. Drain the rice, strain and divide into 4 bowls. Put the tofu on top, sprinkle with spring onions, sesame seeds and ½ tea-spoon chilli flakes. Decorate with lime wedges.
Raspberry Prune Frozen Yoghurt, a super-healthy alternative to ice-cream!
Posted Fri, Jun 11, 21 by Sunsweet
We all crave a sweet treat, at times. And yet opting for refined sugar and fat-laden versions can leave us feeling sluggish and guilty. So say “hello” to our Raspberry Prune Frozen Yoghurt. It’s a super-healthy alternative to ice-cream. And with just three ingredients – raspberries, yogurt and prunes – this delicious treat couldn’t be more simple to make.
Ingredients
200 g natural yoghurt, mild (3.5 % fat)
100-125 g Sunsweet prunes
250 g frozen raspberries, unthawed
If desired:
4 waffles
Instructions
- First put yoghurt and then prunes and raspberries into the beaker of a smoothie mixer. First mix at slow speed, then finely mix at medium speed, repeatedly pushing the raspberries downwards with the pestle. If the ice cream is not firm enough, divide the mass into portions in dessert glasses and leave to refreeze for 30 to 60 minutes in the freezer. Otherwise, immediately divide the mass into portions in dessert glasses or if desired divide into portions in ice cream waffles.
Vegan variant: soya yoghurt can be used instead of yoghurt.
Tip: a powerful smoothie mixer makes the ice cream particularly creamy. A hand-held blender is only suitable to a certain extent. If there is only a hand-held blender available, first thaw raspberries, then finely mix all ingredients together. Freeze the mass in an ice cream maker (in accordance with operating instructions) or let it freeze in the freezer. For freezing, divide the mass into portions in 4 silicone muffin moulds and place in the freezer for 1-3 hours (do not let the mass get too hard). Before serving, remove pieces of ice cream from the moulds and put them on a plate.
Other recipes you might be interested in...
Rediscovering the joys of festive entertaining
Posted Fri, Jun 11, 21 by Sunsweet
Why not see if you can make this Christmas the one where you actually get to enjoy your festive entertaining with family and friends? We’ll let you into a little secret... With a trick or two up your sleeve – and just a little help from Sunsweet - it might just be possible!
Christmas. A time of wall-to-wall joy and gratitude and good will to all men. Hmmm. According to stats reported in Psychology Today, a sense of dread and even depression can be more prevalent during the festive season. The reasons behind seasonal doom and gloom can be myriad. Things like Seasonal Affective Disorder. Feeling under pressure – from an emotional point of view – to have everything just-so. Financial strain. The prospect of yet another commercially-focused Christmas that’s going to leave us feeling like we have lost sight of its true meaning…
If you’re feeling really down, it’s certainly worth chatting things over with a health-care professional. But if yours is more a case of seasonal overwhelm, then read on. The stresses and strains of the season – especially when it comes to entertaining - can be alleviated by having a trick or two up your sleeve and with just a little forward planning. It is the season to be jolly, after all!
Expect the unexpected
Make friends with advance preparation over the Christmas period. Rustle up soups and stews in large batches, ahead of time, but then freeze them as individual portions. Then, if you have unexpected lunch or supper guests, you can simply defrost as many portions as you need. You’ll have a hot meal ready in super-quick time and with precisely zero fuss. Leaving you free to enjoy the company of your impromptu guests. Because life’s too short to spend it hidden away in the kitchen when there’s fun to be had!
Store-cupboard super-stars
A well-stocked fridge and a carefully-planned store-cupboard can also be useful allies in the battle against seasonal stress. Most of us usually have plenty of staple ingredients like bacon, cheese, dried fruit and nuts in the house. In little more than the time it takes to warm through some mulled wine, bacon - of any sort - and a packet of prunes can be transformed into Devils on Horseback. And if you have even less time – or you’re short of space in the oven - how about this no-cook variation? Slice prunes lengthwise and fill them with soft cheese – a combination of goats’ cheese and gorgonzola works really well - and add a walnut. Wrap the stuffed prunes with prosciutto, secure them with a cocktail stick, pile onto a pretty serving dish and enjoy!
Be inspired!
Whether it’s a fun family get together or something more formal, our “Let’s Party!” guide is super-inspiring. From indulgent baked cheeses to crisp, fresh salads. From flavourful savoury tarts to scrumptious chocolate mousses. Our ideas are both deceptively simple and downright delicious. A winning combination when it comes to festive entertaining! Lots of the recipes can be prepped beforehand and many of them can be eaten with the fingers – cutting down on the dreaded washing-up!
What better way to spend a wintry evening than by gathering your friends and family around your fireside and serving them a festive feast? Follow our tips and maybe – just maybe – you’ll get to enjoy the party, too!
Please Note: Prunes are good for digestion and help keep you regular, when 100g are eaten as part of a varied and balanced diet and an active lifestyle. Always consult a GP if you have any health concerns.
Refresh and Rejuvenate Your Travel Days
Posted Fri, Jun 11, 21 by Sunsweet
Is travelling a digestion nightmare? You’re not alone. Dehydration, changes in diet, uncomfortable postures and lack of movement have been known to upset bodily functions often resulting in a sluggish digestion. Lack of fibre has also been proven to be a significant cause. And just when your system gets back in gear, it’s time to take off again. So how do you beat the travel blues and stay healthy even while you’re on the go and away from home?
Making healthy choices wherever possible (and walking about every couple of hours) can ease some of the imbalance, discomfort and anxiety. Sunsweet ® Prunes are a great solution. Prunes are proven to promote healthy digestion and the best part is, you can take the prunes with you wherever you go! Drinking naturally sweetened Sunsweet® Prune Juice is another easy healthy choice and it quenches your thirst and tastes great.
Whether you are suffering from a sensitive digestive system or blessed with a very strong one, disruptive sleep patterns, changing time zones, unhealthy food or new foods, dehydration, and the stress associated with travelling can take its toll on you. Frequent travellers often find it hard to get their health on track. Take a look at our travel tips below to help maintain your good health and reduce digestion problems.
Simple Health Tips for People on the Go
- Take healthy on-the-go snacks whenever you leave home. prunes are easy to carry along.
- Try to get the right amount of fluids; fruit and vegetable juices quench your thirst and contribute to good nutrition.
- In a restaurant, ask the waiter questions about the menu to help you make healthy food choices.
- For a long stay, find a local store to stock-up on some favourite healthy foods.
- When travelling to a non-English speaking country, find a translation of your food preferences and intolerances, or search the Internet for this type of information prior to your departure.
- Keep exercise in your day even if your routine changes.
- Pack exercise bands or empty water bottles in your suitcase. You can fill the bottles with water when you reach your destination and use them for strength training exercises in your hotel room.
- If possible, choose a hotel that caters to your wellness regimen. Today, many hotels have gyms, saunas and/or pools.
- Download an exercise app onto your phone and do a quick workout in your hotel room.
- Give yourself a chance to relax and digest your food before you exercise.
- Reduce stress and digestive problems with lifestyle and stress management strategies. Remember it's not stress itself that causes health issues, but how you handle it. Find ways to unwind that work for you!
A sluggish digestion can become a regular issue forcing you to keep away from many foods you enjoy as well as causing discomfort and anxiety on a daily basis. Sunsweet® Prunes and Prune Juice are a delicious and effective way to combat your travel woes.
Should I be concerned about the sugar in prune juice?
Posted Tue, Apr 27, 21 by Sunsweet
Simple steps to boost your bone health
Posted Thu, Oct 01, 20 by Sunsweet
October 20th is World Osteoporosis Day. Incredibly, some one in three women and one in five men will be affected by the disease during their lifetimes. Osteoporosis has a weakening effect on the bones and it can lead to painful fractures and even to severe disability. Organised by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), World Osteoporosis Day launches a rolling, year-long programme of activity to raise awareness of the condition and effect positive change for sufferers.
Maintaining strong and healthy bones, throughout your lifetime, is an excellent foundation for enjoying an active lifestyle well into old age. And simple steps like combining a good diet with weight-bearing exercise can help to boost bone health – whatever your age – and reduce the likelihood of developing osteoporosis in later life.
According to the IOF, micronutrients are substances - with ongoing research into their benefits – that can be important in maintaining bone health. The IOF actually recommend snacking on prunes because they are high in micronutrients, Vitamin K. And, on our website, we have recipes for some truly scrumptious prune-related treats. By tucking into delicious goodies like Prune Cookies, Creamy Vanilla Prune Popsicles and Prune Parfait, you'll be doing your tummy and your tastebuds a favour, as well as your bones!
Steps can be taken to prevent osteoporosis and the IOF, on the World Osteoporosis Day website, offer the following top tips for building strong bones:
- Regular exercise
- Bone healthy nutrients
- Avoid negative lifestyle habits
- Identify your risk factors
- Take osteoporosis medicine if prescribed
On the Sunsweet website – where you'll find the recipes for those super-tempting treats that we mentioned earlier - we have a section dedicated entirely to prunes and bone health. There really is a wealth of information including hints and tips for boosting bone strength and some important pointers from the IOF. Did you know, for example, that a 10% increase in peak bone mineral density - an indicator of strength - could delay the development of osteoporosis by up to 13 years?
From the Prunes and Bone Health section of our website, you can download informative and yet simple-to-read whitepapers on the following topics:
And, on the 8th October, we are delighted to be featuring an exclusive blog about the topic – appropriately entitled “Love Your Bones!”. The blog is certain to be an informative and enjoyable read so do make sure that you check it out.
PS: Don't forget to grab a few extra packs of those delicious Sunsweet prunes on your next shop, too!
Simply-prepared, hearty and healthy – stews are the stars of autumn!
Posted Fri, Jun 11, 21 by Sunsweet
Hearty stews are one of the highlights of autumn and our tasty Beef Stew with Prunes offers a fruity twist on the more classic stew flavours. Warming, nutritious and downright delicious, our hearty stew is sure to be a hit with the whole family. Why not make a double batch and freeze in single-serve portions?
Ingredients
2 tbs ground nut oil
600g boneless beef, cut into large chunks, ask your butcher to prepare
2 medium onions, peeled and roughly chopped
2 medium carrots, peeled, trimmed and diced
600 ml beef stock
400g tin of chopped tomatoes
2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
12 ready-to-eat Prunes, halved
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325f / 170c / gas 3
- Place a large, oven-proof, casserole pot over a medium heat, add the oil, and when hot quickly sear all the beef pieces, stirring and turning to brown each side. When browned, remove the beef from the pan with a slotted spoon and keep to one side.
- Add the onion and carrots to the pan, add a splash of the stock then cover and leave to sautee in the stock over the medium heat – about 5-7 minutes (check every few minutes to ensure they are not burning and stir as necessary). Turn the heat to high, then add the tomatoes, stirring well, then leave to simmer for a minute.
- Next add half the parsley and the rest of the stock, give it a stir, and add the beef back. Bring to the boil, then cover and pop into the hot oven. After 45 minutes, add the prunes, then return to the oven for another 45 minutes.
- Sprinkle with the remainder of the fresh parsley, and serve. This dish can really work with a crunchy green salad. The salad does not need a dressing as the juice from the stew is so filled with flavour.
Other recipes you might be interested in...
Spicy Hot Apple Cider with Prune Juice
Posted Fri, Nov 06, 20 by Sunsweet
There are few aromas more festive than that of mulled wine. But what about a glass of Christmas cheer without the alcohol? Our alcohol-free Spicy Hot Apple Cider with Prune Juice is a lovely alternative that the whole family will love. It makes a nice change from hot chocolate, too!
Ingredients
2 cups (480ml) Sunsweet® Prune Juice
2 cups (480ml) apple juice
2 cinnamon sticks
12 whole cloves
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine prune juice, apple juice, cinnamon sticks and cloves; bring to the boil.
- Reduce heat; simmer for 15 minutes.
- Remove and discard cinnamon and cloves.
Other recipes you might be interested in...
Spicy Squash Soup with Chorizo
Posted Fri, Jun 11, 21 by Sunsweet
The very best soups fill the house with tempting aromas as they cook: our Spicy Squash Soup with Chorizo is no exception! Ginger, rosemary and smoked paprika combine to tempt the taste-buds. With squash, chorizo and scrummy Sunsweet prunes, this is a hearty and flavourful recipe just perfect for still-chilly February.
Ingredients
600 g butternut squash
30 g ginger root 2 onions
3 tbsp. oil
2 tbsp. smoked paprika powder
300 ml white wine
400 ml chicken stock
4 chorizo sausages (Spanish paprika sausage)
200 g Sunsweet prunes
30 g pumpkin seeds
2 sprigs of rosemary
3 tbsp. sour cream
Salt, pepper
Instructions
- Peel squash and ginger and dice finely. Dice the onions into large pieces. Heat oil in a pot, add squash, onions, paprika powder and ginger and sauté for 5 minutes. Deglaze with white wine and stock and boil at a medium heat for 15 minutes. Cut chorizo sausage into slices. Cut prunes into large pieces. Toast pumpkin seeds in a dry pan.
- Grind squash in a blender. Season with salt and pepper to taste, add prunes and keep hot. Fry chorizo slices in a dry pan for 5 minutes on each side at a medium heat. Chop rosemary and sprinkle onto the sausage.
- Pour soup into a bowl. Serve with sausage, sour cream and pumpkin seeds.
Tip: Optionally sprinkle some of the chorizo oil from the pan onto the soup.
Other recipes you might be interested in...
Spring into a Healthier Lifestyle
Posted Fri, Jun 11, 21 by Sunsweet
Spring has well and truly sprung and the Easter holidays are very nearly upon us. This is a time of year when many of us - over the long, bank-holiday weekends - can take a well-earned break and enjoy the (hopefully!) improved weather. There really is no better season than the spring for laying new foundations for a healthier lifestyle for the months to come.
Outdoor Fun
The onset of brighter and warmer and longer days makes the great outdoors feel even more appealing than ever. Having the support of your friends and family is a very strong motivator for getting – and staying – active. But, let’s face it, getting active with a gaggle of buddies is just more fun! Exercise really doesn’t feel like exercise when it involves gathering together a fun-loving group – the more the merrier - and larking about outside. All you need to do is tailor your activities to suit the age and agility of your group and get stuck in. From horse-riding to hide and seek. From golf to geocaching. From tree-climbing to tennis. From surfing to sand-castle building. The only real rules? Have lots and lots of fun!
Our top three tips for alfresco exercise:
- Ring the Changes:
Get together with your getting-active group – ahead of time - to brainstorm ideas for activities, to keep things fresh and fun.
- Get Scheduling:
Synchronise calendars, set a date and a time and stick to it – no matter what the weather. A few spots of rain should definitely not stop play!
- Fuel the Fun:
There’s nothing like exercising out-of-doors to work up an appetite! Why not check out our recipes pages for a whole host of yummy and portable, prune-related ideas?
Rainy Day Activities
And if the weather lets you down? Buzz on over to our Easter section where you’ll find a trio of Easter-themed projects to choose from. Kids of all ages will just love our colourful craft activities. There are printable templates and easy-to-follow instructions to create Baby Chick Easter Decorations, Bunny Rabbit Pen and Pencil Holders and Bunny Boxes. And if you find yourself with some spare time over the bank-holiday weekend? You could always rustle up a batch of sweeties – check out our recipe pages for inspiration – and present them, as gifts, in one of our Bunny Boxes.
Step into Spring! And be inspired by our article to breathe new life into that fitness regime.
Posted Wed, Apr 08, 15 by Sunsweet
According to a recent YouGov study, our resolutions are usually focused on exercise, weight and health. Other health related issues, like giving up smoking and cutting back on alcohol consumption, are the next most popular resolutions. And resolutions of a more altruistic nature - spending more time with the family, undertaking charity work – are a little further down the list. All good stuff. But how do you keep yourself motivated and ensure that you meet your very worthwhile goals?
1) Be clear, be realistic and be good to yourself
It’s important to be really clear about what you want to achieve. “Getting Healthy”, for example, is probably too vague to be meaningful. Think about what “healthy” actually means to you; is it about fitness, weight, energy, mood… Once you've decided on a long-term goal - a vision - it’s useful to set yourself a series of smaller milestones, too. These need to be actionable and achievable. And – when you've ticked them off – their accomplishment is a fabulous excuse for a mini celebration, along the way! If you haven’t exercised for years, for example, simply being active every day - for 30 days – is far more realistic than signing yourself up for a half-marathon. Check out this TED talk, for inspiration:
2) Get support
When our resolve is flagging or when we face unforeseen hurdles in the meeting of our goals, it can be helpful to have somebody on our side, cheering us on from the side-lines. Identify other people who can help you to keep on track. This could be a supportive friend, an online group or even something like The Sunsweet 14-Day Challenge.
3) Use your technology
Don’t forget that technology can be an ally, too. You could create a simple spread sheet that helps you to keep track of your training progress, for example. You could create some homemade posters – with inspirational quotations and images - that you can distribute throughout your home and office, to help to keep you motivated. And whether your New Year’s resolution is to have a change of career (Jobcentreplus), to stop smoking (Cessation Nation) or to put an end to aimless net surfing (Self Control), as the saying goes, there’s an app for that!
4) Boost your energy
New regimes can be tiring, both emotionally and physically. Prunes are a source of vitamin B6, which can help you to feel less tired. And vitamin B6 – along with copper and manganese, of which prunes are also a source – supports the normal release of energy from foods. So grab yourself a handful of prunes. A sweet and tasty way to top up those energy levels!
Suffering from ‘tummy trouble’ and a sluggish digestion? Prunes can help!
Posted Fri, Jun 11, 21 by Sunsweet
For whatever the reason, when the digestive system gets out of whack the entire body can start to feel its effects. Lethargy. Bloating. Sluggishness. And even some pretty acute pain. There's good news, though. A sluggish digestion doesn't have to be endured, as just 'one of those things'. There are lots of tips for you to try, here. And the even better news? They're easy!
The discomfort and inconvenience of suffering from digestive problems, especially when you have previously been able to take a healthy digestive system for granted, can be tough to handle. There are lots of different factors that can affect digestion; from experiencing busy and stressful periods in your life, to hormonal changes triggered by pregnancy, to the natural and inevitable physical changes that go hand in hand with the aging process. Whatever the reason, if the digestive system has become chronically sluggish the entire body can wind up feeling below par, as a result.
The aging process
Digestion problems can crop up at any life stage and at any age. But according to the online medical resource, WebMD almost 40% of older adults have at least one digestive issue annually. Constipation is one of the more commonly-cited digestive complaints and with sufferers experiencing symptoms like the ones listed below, it really is no joke:
- Reduced frequency of bowel movements
- Sensations of sluggishness and bloatedness
- Painful bowel movements
- Increased risk of developing piles
Common conditions
Constipation can be caused by a whole host of factors including age-related changes in the digestive system, medication and the effects of undertaking reduced levels of physical activity and not drinking adequate fluids or eating enough fibre.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease – a condition that can be responsible for causing unpleasant and even painful symptoms like heartburn - is pretty common, too. The condition can be exacerbated by eating rich foods, by eating late at night and by generally eating too much because being overweight can be a trigger for the onset of the condition's symptoms.
As you age, it's important to schedule regular health checks with your doctor to discuss any symptoms that might worry you. And, of course, any sudden changes in your body should always be thoroughly investigated by your GP. As with many issues, though, preventing digestive problems – before they become chronic - is far preferable to having to treat those issues medically.
Now for the good news!
And there's some good news. Because simple and common-sense steps like maintaining a healthy weight by eating well – choosing a diet with plenty of fibre and fluids, for example - and exercising regularly are excellent starting points. Having a good understanding of the digestive basics – like opting for gut-friendly foods - can go a long way towards nipping potential problems in the bud, too. Here are our top 3 digestion-boosting tips for you to try. And they really couldn't be more simple. You can check out a more comprehensive list of easy, digestion-boosting tips, here. And there's even a whistle-stop tour of the digestive system, too!
- Mindfulness at mealtimes: sit up at the table, switch off your phone and savour your food.
- Drink plenty: water, herbal tea and fruit juices are all good choices. Avoid ice-cold drinks at mealtimes, though, they can make digestion sluggish.
- Snack on prunes: they're sweet, super-tasty and a source of fibre and sorbitol.
Here's to maintaining good digestive health, whatever your age!
Please Note: Prunes are good for digestion and help keep you regular, when 100g are eaten as part of a varied and balanced diet and an active lifestyle. Always consult a GP if you have any health concerns.
Summertime and the living is easy
Posted Fri, Jun 11, 21 by Sunsweet
Summer weekends are a brilliant opportunity for catching up and chilling out. There’s one very simple trick that you can have up your sleeve, to ensure that you have as much fun during your get-togethers as your guests: advance planning!

Keep your menu simple
A showstopper dish – like a marinated whole chicken or a side of salmon with a herby crust - can be put in the oven and left to its own devices. And then around an hour before your meat or fish is ready, pop some baby new potatoes into the oven, too. Keep the potatoes whole and unpeeled and toss them in oil, herbs - rosemary works well – and a little sea-salt. Simple and delicious.
Enlist help
Guests often ask if they can bring something to gatherings so don’t be too shy to answer, “yes, please!”. Give each guest a theme, for a salad, and leave them to it. A green salad, maybe, or something tomato-based or involving mixed beans. You could even ask them to bring a fruit salad, for pudding. And – if they’re stuck - you can always signpost them to our recipe pages, for inspiration!
Keep everyone moving
A great way to break the ice at summer events – especially when there are little people involved – is to ask each family to share their favourite outdoor game idea. Tag. Hide and Seek. Pretty much anything involving bubbles or balloons. The fun factor will be boosted instantly. You’ll all work up an appetite for that yummy, healthy meal. And the kids will have bonded well enough to continue the fun, after the food, while the adults enjoy a well-deserved rest.
When it comes to summer celebrations, prunes are something of an unsung hero. And yet they can add a fruity scrumptiousness to a range of dishes and drinks. For sweet and savoury nibbles, think prunes baked with chorizo or – even simpler – flavoured mixed nuts (most supermarkets stock an interesting selection) combined with chopped prunes. As part of a fruity marinade or BBQ sauce, prunes add a rich flavour that complements a range of meat and fish and livens up grilled veggie kebabs. Prunes make a zingy addition to salads – both savoury and sweet. The fruit is the perfect partner for choc-themed puds – prune brownies, anyone? And prune juice makes a fabulously flavourful base for a range of drinks from smoothies to mocktails, from fruity cocktails that are strictly for the grown-ups to refreshing frozen treats that the whole family will love.
Our recipe pages are full of ideas for you to follow or be inspired by. And our comprehensive guide to entertaining is packed full of tips to help your summer celebrations sparkle!
Please Note: Prunes are good for digestion and help keep you regular, when 100g are eaten as part of a varied and balanced diet and an active lifestyle. Always consult a GP if you have any health concerns.
Summery Roll
Posted Fri, Jun 11, 21 by Sunsweet
Kiss goodbye to the boring ham sandwich and packet of crisps combo. Elevate your packed lunches and picnics to a whole new level of healthiness and flavour with our Summery Rolls. At less than 100 calories per serving, our Summery Rolls make a light and super tasty appetiser, too.
Ingredients
60 g glass noodles (Asian supermarket)
1 ripe mango
2 carrots
150 g California prunes
1-2 bunches of Thai basil
1 bunch of mint
1 small romaine lettuce heart
12 round rice paper sheets (approx. ø 20 cm)
4 tbsp. lime juice
Salt & pepper
2 chillies, finely chopped
Instructions
- Soak glass noodles according to package directions. Peel, core, and slice mango. Peel carrots and cut into slivers. Cut prunes in halves. Remove basil and mint leaves from stems. Wash lettuce and divide into large pieces.
- Soak rice paper sheets one by one for about 2 minutes in cold water and place on a kitchen towel, drain slightly. Drain the glass noodles and season with lime juice, salt, and chilli. Arrange 2 basil leaves and 3 mint leaves with some salad in the centre of each rice sheet. Place glass noodles, mango, carrots, and prunes on top. Fold sides a bit over filling, and then roll up.
Tip: serve with a dip of red and green chilli slices, chopped prunes, soy sauce, and sesame oil.