Whether you’re working a 9-5 or shifts, having a healthy breakfast or something to look forward to at dinner time can really make your day.
When it comes to choosing what to cook, however, planning healthy meals can feel really hard – particularly given the sheer amount of conflicting advice out there.
A common myth of healthy eating is that you have to deprive yourself of the foods you love and be super strict about your diet. In reality, healthy eating doesn’t have to be that complicated.
Really, it’s about being that little bit more mindful, making small healthy changes (that fit within your lifestyle) and being consistent, which is why we’ve outlined our top five super simple tips on how to eat that little bit healthier.
1) Don’t skip breakfast!
Whether you have a relaxed morning routine or regularly find yourself running out of the door, making sure you have something to eat is a key way to set yourself up nicely for the day. Protein is always best for breakfast but, even if it’s a piece of toast and an apple, it’ll stave off hunger for a few hours.
Why not skip the stress of meal planning in the morning and save on breakfast with 20% off of protein bars and shakes with Grenade?
2) Remember to drink 6-8 glasses of water a day (*Tea and coffee count!)
Water plays a vital part in all our body’s functions and dehydration can cause a variety of issues from dry skin to stomach cramps and even affecting your mood and sleep schedule. It can definitely be hard to stay hydrated but keeping a water bottle handy (and making sure to drink water when on your break) can really help.
3) Fill up on fruit and veggies
Fitting a variety of fruit and veg into our diets can feel tricky sometimes.
A glass of fruit juice or a smoothie counts as one of our 5-a-day, as does swapping a snack for fresh or dried fruit during your break, but you can also include 3-4 tablespoons of frozen or canned vegetables when cooking to bulk up your meals.
If you or your kids struggle with the flavour (or texture) of cooked vegetables however, you could consider blending carrots or squash into macaroni and cheese sauce or adding cooked tomato, carrots and red peppers into pasta sauces or sauces for pizza bases. You can even freeze pre-made sauces in ice cube trays or Ziploc bags to stock up and make mealtimes faster.
Plus, with Ninja Kitchen, you can save 10% on full-price and sale items, and chop, grate, slice, and blend your favourite ingredients with precision food processors and powerful blenders!
4) Cut down on sugar, salt and saturated fats
No one’s saying you have to cut out chocolate entirely but – whether it’s salty or sweet, our bodies are primed to love the taste of foods that can cause a whole variety of health problems (if eaten in excess).
Consider trying low-sugar or sugar-free snacks and get 25% off low or zero-calorie syrups, spreads and snacks when you shop with The Skinny Food Co. and switch out saturated fats (found in foods like butter, cream, biscuits and fatty meat) for healthier options like vegetable oils and oily fish to help protect your body long-term.
5) Take time to exercise
Many of our members spend their shifts on their feet but exercise isn’t just about getting those all-important steps in.
Taking time to work out at your local gym, doing a bit of yoga or even just going for a walk in the woods can help improve both your overall physical health and your mental wellbeing.
Need a little inspiration on what to cook for dinner?
Why not check out our selection of super simple light bite recipes for those on the go? Alternatively, if you’re in a place where only comfort food will do, we’ve outlined some of our favourite one-pot meal ideas (including homemade tikka masala and a delicious slow-cooked honey and mustard pork joint).
What about ideas for healthy lunches?
Tired of eating last night’s leftovers but don’t want sandwiches (again)? Don’t reach for yet another instant noodle pack!
If you want something hot for lunch, why not maximise your break by saving 20% on a Swivlet – a no-fuss multi-functional container that (after being microwaved for a few minutes) will continue to slow cook and keep food hot for the next few hours until you’re ready to eat!
