Many of us make New Year resolutions, but have you considered a mid-year one? Registered psychologist Sara Chatwin recommends beating the winter blues by making realistic mid-year resolutions that won't be too hard to maintain.
Committing to a resolution doesn't have to be as hard as it sounds; it can be as simple as eating less chocolate, or taking a healthy lunch to work rather than buying it. It's important to keep your resolution manageable and give yourself rewards when you reach milestones." she says.
Below are some quick tips on things you can do to help ensure you eat well this winter.
Soup is called "Nutrition in a bowl' by well known TV nutritionist; Nikki Hart. They can offer plenty of different vegetables, sometimes meats or seafood, and many of them are low in fat. A bowl of hearty hot soup really can you make you feel better and fill you up on those cold winter days.
2. Keep fruit close at hand
Fruit provides us with so many vitamins, fibre and other goodies (antioxidants, phytochemicals) its no wonder we are always being told to 'eat more'! Make it easier for yourself by keeping a fruit bowl on the kitchen bench or desk at work. Use canned fruits to have as a dessert or with breakfast. Make a fruit salad to take to work.
3. Indulge in hearty casseroles
Casseroles can be the perfect winter meal to really fill you up and can be packed full of goodness. Add lots of winter vegetables (Wattie's frozen Winter Mix makes this easy) and boost fibre levels by adding beans or lentils. Casseroles don't need much added fat - use cans of tomatoes to add flavour and experiment with various herbs and spices.
4. Enjoy a good breakfast
A good breakfast is essential to get your energy levels up for the morning. There are lots of good choices you can make; cereals with fruits and yoghurt, or for something warmer try porridge, or a poached egg or baked beans on toast. People who enjoy a good breakfast tend to eat less 'unhealthy' snacks later in the day.
5. Snack wisely
People offer despair that all snacks are 'bad snacks' but that's not true - there are lots of good choices you can make and enjoy as part of a healthy diet. Here's just a few:
- Low fat crackers and edam cheese
- Raw almonds (about 30g/day)
- Fruit (fresh, canned, potted, frozen or juiced)
- Vegetable sticks with a hummus or yoghurt dip
- Avocado or tomato on toast or a cracker
- Mini meatballs with a tomato dip
