Stay Healthy in the New Year

For many of us the idea of a diet is directly linked to deprivation. It’s a world of banning foods (or even food groups!), skipping meals and swapping your loyal friend chocolate for your bland and dry nemesis, the rice cracker. No wonder it’s so easy to fall off the bandwagon! The easiest way to a healthy and balanced diet is to not see it as a diet, but as a lifestyle change. Cram in as many fresh fruits and veggies, lean meats, delicious and refreshing smoothies and be sure to include a healthy treat or two! Remember to never sacrifice flavour- food should be cleansing and nourishing but above all it should be delicious! Pretty soon your diet will be made up of such a large range of nourishing foods you will find little time to miss the Krispy Kremes.

Here are our top tips to keep you on track!

1) Start the day off right.

Don’t skip breakfast! Firstly, squeeze the juice of 1 lemon and mix with warm water and a spoonful of flaxseed. This will aid digestion and help clear your skin. Secondly, eat! Having a well-balanced breakfast (yes this includes carbs, but the slow energy releasing, friendly types) will kick start your metabolism and ensure you don’t snack on unhealthy foods later on in the day.

2) Focus on the right things.

Forget about losing weight, it’s not about how you look (that comes later) but how you feel. Eating a healthy and balanced diet will improve your immune system, organ function and general wellbeing, which results in shiny hair, bright eyes, clear skin, improved energy levels and a smaller waist.

3) Pack in the flavour.

Garlic, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, cumin, cayenne pepper...the list of spices with health benefits is endless. Not only will they add essential nutrients to your diet but they will also help add flavour and variety to your dishes. Yummy!

4) Treat yourself.

Changing your diet drastically can be hard so make sure you treat yourself at least once a week! This will ensure your new healthy lifestyle is enjoyable and sustainable. Why not try making dairy free banana ice cream or a raw cacao cake after supper this Sunday? These treats are packed with nourishing nutrients and will satisfy your sweet tooth.

5) Avoid wheat and refined sugars.

All our food is free from wheat and refined sugars and created using only seasonal and local ingredients. It seems that more and more people are developing food intolerances to these food types, luckily we now have great alternatives such as gluten-free oats and flour which means granola and buckwheat pancakes are still on the breakfast menu! With regards to sugar, stick to fruits and raw cacao- trust me; your body won’t miss the white stuff!