Eating a healthy, balanced diet is an important part of maintaining good health and can help you feel your best. This means eating a wide variety of foods in the right proportions, and consuming the right amount of food and drink to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.
Did you know that at just 2% dehydration you lose 20% of your mental focus?!
Here's some top tips to help you maintain a healthy diet:
eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day
base meals on higher fibre, starchy foods like potatoes, bread, rice or pasta
have some dairy or dairy alternatives (such as soya drinks)
eat beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other protein with each meal
choose unsaturated oils and spreads, and eat them in small amounts
drink plenty of fluids (at least 6 to 8 glasses a day)
Eating seasonally is also great for your wellbeing, offering a range of benefits from an increased nutrient intake, saving money whilst purchasing foods whilst they are plentiful and reducing your carbon footprint too. Here's what's in season:
To find out more visit: What's In Season When? (lovebritishfood.co.uk)
Tips for staying hydrated
Staying hydrated can have all kinds of benefits. It can reduce hunger and improve focus!
Drink a glass of water first thing in the morning! Drink a glass of water as soon as you wake up in the mornings. Or take a drink while you are brewing that morning coffee or tea.
Carry a water bottle with you. You are more likely to drink water if it is with you. It is also cheaper to fill up your water bottle throughout the day than buying bottles of water.
Flavour your water! Adding a few lemon slices, strawberries, or cucumbers to your water can add a whole new taste. Try adding frozen blueberries as ice cubes.
Take water breaks! Take a few sips of water between work tasks, or go for a walk to the water fountain for a mental break throughout the day.
Eat your water! Staying hydrated is not all about beverages, your body is able to absorb water from the foods that we eat. Foods that have a high water percentage include cantaloupe, strawberries, spinach, watermelon, peaches, bell peppers, and cucumbers.
There is an app for that! In the world of smart phones, there are apps for just about everything. Find an app that works for you, and track your water intake. Trackers also keep you accountable.
Sip before snack! Before you raid the fridge, try taking a sip instead. Sometimes our bodies feel hungry, but we are actually dehydrated.
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