We know that it’s not always easy to stick to eating healthy, every so often a craving will creep in and we have all fallen off the wagon at one time or another. So, to try and help you stay on track and really make a healthy lifestyle stick we’ve pulled together a few tricks:
1. Eat seasonal fruit and veggies.
Yes, we are lucky enough to live in a time where we can buy strawberries in the dead of winter but when produce is in season it always tastes better. We love summer berries, pineapples and pomegranates. In the winter beetroot, butternut squash and kale top our list. The endless benefits of eating seasonally probably speak for themselves as not only are the fruits and vegetables grown and harvested in their peak season; they are extremely nutrient dense and fresh. It also helps to vary your diet and gives you an excuse to explore new dishes.
2. Try something new!
We love throwing something different in our basket every time we go shopping. We’re always on the look out for a fruit or vegetable we’ve never tried before. Have you ever tried a mangosteen or kohlrabi?
3. Eat the rainbow.
Most people often find themselves reaching for the same banana or apple when they’re looking for a snack, try changing things up a little. A great idea is to create a colour chart and challenge yourself to eat a different colour every day.
Sunday – Green (maybe, a pear?)
Monday – Orange (shake things up with a tangerine)
Tuesday – Yellow (what about a mango?)
Wednesday – Purple (perhaps, a fig?)
You get the idea…
4. Listen to your body.
Just because your favourite influencer loves something doesn’t mean you have to like it too. If you can’t stomach cucumbers, don’t eat them. Maybe you’re not big on peppers…leave them out. Health trends come and go but if you want to stay on track you have to like what you’re eating! As long as you can say you tried it.
5. Make a healthy version of your favourite meal.
Are you a self proclaimed nugget friend? Are burgers your downfall? What about pasta?
We all have our weaknesses and just because you want to be healthier doesn’t mean you have to deprive yourself of the things you love…you just have to reframe them. Whether you’re winging it in the kitchen or following a recipe you’ve found online, you can always make a healthy version! (If you’re struggling, we’ve done a lot of the hard work for you)
6. Get everyone involved!
Now, we know no one likes to share food, especially their favourite healthy treats and expensive raw, fair trade, organic snacks, but trust us, it’s worth it in the end! Surrounding yourself with people who not only support your healthy eating, but take part in it with you makes staying healthy so much easier. So get your friends, your family, your colleagues, your dog and your neighbour on board and watch how much happier everyone is!
7. Be prepared.
Before you break into songs from The Lion King…we’re not talking about meal prep and stacking the fridge full of meals for the week. We’re thinking simpler. Make sure you stock your cupboard and fridge full of healthy ingredients and snacks – because if that’s what you’ve got in the house, that’s what you’ll eat – makes sense right? Fill up on fruit, vegetables, nuts and other whole food snacks so you won’t even have room for the not so healthy nibbles!
8. Remember: knowledge is power.
There’s nothing more motivating than spending an afternoon reading up on health and nutrition. It’s always easier to make healthy decisions when you understand what you’re making a choice between. Take the time to learn more about the impact food on your body and how you can make the most impact and you’ll find that sticking to a healthy way of life is not only easier but even more rewarding.
