The pandemic has kept us mostly at home for a year now, and your body probably hasn’t received it’s much-needed nutrition. According to a new study published in March 2021, you’re not alone. The study found that, on average, people gained 1.5 pounds per month from February to June 2020. It concluded that the weight gain was a result of a more sedentary stay-at-home life with an increase in snacking and overeating. If your diet has been more Uber Eats than uber-healthy lately, we’ve got some easy-to-implement tips to boost your nutrition.
Note: These are general, common-sense tips. For a more detailed weight-loss or nutrition plan, it’s always best to consult a physician and/or registered dietitian.
4 Easy Ways to Eat Better
Eat a salad
One salad. Every day. Make it a side, or make it your meal. There are so many different types of salads, from leafy greens dressed simply with lemon juice, to Asian-inspired bowls with crunchy seeds and salty, umami-rich dressings. You’re bound to find one that you like. And the proliferation of mix-and-eat bagged salads in the grocery store means that making a salad need only take a minute or two.
Drink more water
You already knew you should be doing this, but are you? The absolute minimum should be eight cups a day, more if you drink caffeine or alcohol, or if it’s hot out. Don’t like the flavor of water? Steep an herbal tea bag in your bottle or squeeze in some citrus for a refreshing twist.
Try new produce
Stuck in a rut? Make a point of trying a new fruit or vegetable a couple times a month. International grocery stores are a good place to find something new to you. You might find a new winner.
Eat fewer animal products
Commit to eating a plant-based meal once a week. Use it as an opportunity to try new recipes and ingredients. Swapping out chicken for chickpeas reduces your carbon footprint, saves money and calories and ups your intake of fiber. You can eat that burger tomorrow.
These are small changes but they can add up in a big way. Following them will help increase your energy level, improve your digestive health, & overall boost your nutrition! Make 2022 your healthiest year yet.
