There are an abundance of benefits to eating healthier, a well-balanced diet provides all of the energy you need to keep active throughout the day, along with providing us with the nutrients we need for growth and repair, helping us to stay strong and healthy and help to prevent diet-related illness.
Making healthier food choices is a great way to help us feel healthy and refreshed – and especially in the summer – with salads, picnic spreads and fruit bowls all being a great go-to for easy, healthy food choices!
Check out our 5 top tips below for making healthier food choices…
🥕🍓 Fruit and veg all the way!
Adding fruit and vegetables to our daily food intake is a great way to not only feel refreshed, but it’ll also help to add healthy fibre, phytonutrients, antioxidants, and inflammation-fighting choices to your plate.
Some great summer superstars like watermelon, strawberries, cherries, blackberries, sweet corn, peppers, or cucumber will add lots of colour and flavour to your meals. One of the great things about many fruit and vegetables, is that you can enjoy them hot or cold – making it really easy to incorporate into everyday meals. Berry fruits especially are some of the lowest in sugar – so a great way to keep healthy but enjoy a sweet treat at the same time!
🥗 Aim for lighter meals!
Simple, quick and easy meals such as salads, smoothie bowls, and grilled vegetables are perfect options to feel cooler in the summer heat. Light, refreshing meals are much easier for our bodies to digest, helping to avoid any bloating and indigestion. Eating lighter meals can also help to boost your energy levels, keep you hydrated, and support your overall wellness.
Top tip: making light meals using fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables will be packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants – helping to support your immune system, and provide the energy needed to enjoy summer activities!
đź’¦ Stay hydrated!
Alongside eating healthy, nutritious and balanced meals, it’s important that we remember to stay hydrated, throughout the summer and as we look towards the cooler months. Ensuring we reach the water intake our body needs not only helps us to stay hydrated, but it can enhance physical performance, promote digestion, boost cognitive function and support radiant skin! Try to make a habit of drinking enough water each day – grab a decent size water bottle (500ml – 1 litre is a great size!) and refill when you need to. Top tip: infuse your water with fruits like lemon, cucumber, or mint for added flavour to help you drink more!
🥙 Food preparation!
We’ve all headed out to the local shop and bought a pre-packed sandwich, crisps and fizzy drink when we’re short for time, but afterwards many of us find ourselves feeling guilty, short of cash and unsatisfied.
Preparing your food the night before, or even cooking extra portions, can help you feel organised, fulfilled and motivated during busy summer days. It’s convenient, cheap, healthy, and even better a great de-stressor! A great tip in the summer is to get creative with making your healthy foods last longer, whether it’s using left over fruit for smoothies, blending vegetables to create healthy purees or even freezing leftovers in resealable bags!
🍉🍓 Always room for dessert!
Making healthier food choices doesn’t mean we have to restrict and ditch yummy desserts! From juicy berry smoothies and yogurt bowl recipes to refreshing fruit salads – there are tonnes of healthy dessert options you can find online to provide you with delightful alternatives to traditional sugary treats. Packed with vitamins, fibre, and antioxidants, they not only satisfy your sweet tooth but also nourish your body.
Get creative with seasonal fruits and embark on a journey of delightful and nutritious summer desserts that everyone can enjoy guilt-free!
The Paycare team hope you have a wonderful rest of your Summer with your friends and family and don’t forget to snap a photo of your delicious healthy creations and tag us on Facebook! 💚
*Sources:
Harvard Health
Cultivate Simple Delights
Heart and Stroke Foundation
NHS
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