Whether you have booked a week away in the sun, or are holidaying at home, make sure to keep up with your healthy eating habits this summer.
We all know that we should maintain our healthy eating habits even though we are tempted with juicy burgers, beers and sweet treats. How can we keep up our good eating habits this summer?
First a note on the power of eating well: As if we needed more proof, another large study has just proven that eating well has significant benefits for your body and soul. The Planetary Health Study is trying to come up with a way of eating that’s good both for our body, and for the planet. This significant study has shown that eating moderate amounts of dairy and meat is good for you and for the environment. By sticking to a sensible diet, you can lower your risk of premature death by 30% while making sure that your diet has a substantially lower environmental impact than most other diets.
Eat well this summer
Eat large amounts of plant-based foods, and moderate amounts of dairy and meat. This ensures that you get all the nutrients such as essential vitamins and minerals from your diet, which will keep you in a state of good overall health for longer.
Eat your Greens
Choose a side salad with every dinner this summer. This is so easily done. Simply buy a packet of mixed green leaves, a punnet of tomatoes, some good quality Balsamic vinegar and olive oil, and you’re away with it. If you are already a converted salad fan, try something new by adding vegetables you don’t normally eat, such as freshly chopped fennel, steamed asparagus or grated carrots. Use your imagination!
Limit your Carbs
Don’t pile on the carbs. Stick to a cupped handful of complex carbs with your main meal. To make up the remainder of your meal, choose colourful vegetables, beans and pules, or meat and fish.
Get creative with your BBQ
We all love a sizzled burger fresh from the grill. This summer, challenge yourself to come up with some nice new vegetable based ideas for your bbq. I can think of a few, such as grilled vegetable skewers or the chicken-based Hawaiian chicken skewers where you can replace chicken with firm tofu or a medley of peppers/onions/courgettes. Vegetables are just as easily grilled as meat. Try: grilled mushrooms, aubergine, asparagus and sugar snap peas.
Snack on Fruit
Just take a look at your local green grocer’s or supermarket fresh food isle, buy three different types of fruit you don’t normally eat, and enjoy them throughout the week. Keep fruit handy in the car, choose to buy a punnet of fresh fruit when out and about as a snack, and encourage those living in your house with you to snack on fruit. You will feel so much lighter and happier, while improving your nutrition and hydration significantly. Good seasonal fruit to try include: melons of all kinds, berries, nectarines, peaches and apricots. Enjoy!
