07 Jan New Year, New Food
It’s the beginning of a new year and a new decade so a great time to try something new when it comes to food. We find that saying you will cut back on food to be healthier or to reach a weight goal is a negative way to start things off as you’re already considering what you’ll miss. Instead we are suggesting new food for a new year! Read our top three on the foods you can add to your new year’s diet and the changes you can make so you can think of it as something to enjoy as you discover the new additions to your plate!
More Veg
In one of our previous blogs, we discussed the benefits of meal planning and this is a great way to get your new year’s diet off to a start, first by making sure there is plenty of veg on your plate. Plan your meals so that all of them are made up of half veg. We recommend this half of veg should be non-starchy vegetables such as broccoli, tomato, cauliflower and mushrooms. Make sure you work veg into all your meals and this includes the most important meal of the day, breakfast.
Why is it important you include plenty of veg in your new year’s diet we here you asking. Vegetables are low in fat, they have nutrients and vitamins and fibre. Along with their other benefits, the fibre we get from eating vegetables is vital for a healthy lifestyle. Fibre helps lower blood cholesterol levels, helps bowel function and helps provide a feeling of fullness. It is great to get this ‘full up’ feeling from veg rather than other sources, not only because they are full of goodness but also because they are low in fat and calories.
Conscious Consumption
We have just gone through what is possible the most hectic time of the year, Christmas. Depending on your job there can be added pressures during the festive season and on top of that you have to make sure you have got presents and have everything in order if you’re hosting on Christmas Day! Food can often be the last priority on our minds in the run up to Christmas so we may be consuming more fast food as we have limited time and need to eat on the go but just because you finished the year like this, it doesn’t mean you need to start the New Year with the same habits.
A new year is a time for a fresh start and to adopt new practices. Again, meal planning will be key to your New Year healthy eating success. We have already mentioned how you can think about increasing your intake of vegetables and this is the first step to being more conscious of your consumption. Planning is one part and another is to take or make the time to enjoy your food. Take the time to prepare and then enjoy your dishes. Look into ‘mindful eating’, there are suggestions that this may help with portion control, weight management and digestion so it’s a great way to get your New Year’s diet off to a good start.
A Sweet Addition
Aim to eat two pieces of fruit each day. Like veg fruits contain nutrients, vitamins and fibre which are all key for a healthy lifestyle. Eating fruit is also a chance to add something sweeter to your diet but without that feeling of guilt!
Fruits are often more associated with the summer months however there is a plethora of fruits that are in season over the winter months and this includes bramley apples, clementines, kiwis and pears. So there you have it, you have no excuse for not adding a sweet fruit fix to your winter diet!
If you would like some extra tips on dishes you could make as part of a healthier diet then why not arrange private cooking lessons with our dinner party chef hire team? We can create a bespoke lesson based on what you’re looking for or if you already have some dishes in mind we’d be happy to accommodate them! Contact us today.
