How to Fuel a Positive Mindset

During these uncertain times and while we isolate in our homes, it is important now more than ever to make sure our diets are in-check and not to neglect healthy eating habits. Although the temptations may be hard to fight, it is crucial to eat well and maintain a good diet by limiting the amount of processed foods we consume each day for not only our waistlines, but to support our immunity and most importantly to maintain a positive mindset.

We have come up with 5 beneficial tips & tricks for you to apply to your daily home routine to Fuel a Positive Mindset!

1. Plan Ahead

If you have ever considered meal prep, this is your time to shine! Why not write yourself your very own meal plan (breakfast, lunch and dinner) for the week. By having your meals for the day already set out, this will assist in managing your hunger, will remove temptations to have an ‘un-healthy’ and ‘easy’ meal and will help you stay on track! It is important to make sure your meals include the 3 macro nutrients; carbohydrates, protein and fats to keep you fuller for longer, to give you the energy you need and to assist in your day to day recovery. The more food on your plate, the more likely you are to eat it, so by portioning your meals out in advance the chances of you overeating are lessened and keeping yourself on track and accountable will become a whole lot easier!

2. Snack Smarter

We all know that staying at home all day can lead to boredom, which therefore leads to snacking. The word ‘snacking’ tends to come with a lot of negative connotations, although we must remember that snacking is OKAY if done in moderation and when the right food choices are made.
Have a sweet tooth? Instead of grabbing a chocolate bar, or reaching in the pantry for some cookies, why not satisfy your sweet cravings with a piece of fresh fruit. Fruits such as bananas, berries, oranges and plenty more are high in vitamins and minerals and contain many essential nutrients that are vital for optimal health. Snacking on low calorie foods such as celery & carrot dipped in hummus, Greek yoghurt or frozen berries are all healthy and tasty alternatives to help keep your diet in check – guilt free!

3. Stay Hydrated

Are you actually hungry? Recognising the difference between hunger and boredom and/or dehydration can be difficult even for the best of us. Along with the usual benefits of drinking water such as boosting your immune system, regulating blood pressure and preventing dehydration, it is also known to be a natural appetite suppressant and is known to increase calorie burning (leading to fat loss) and removing waste from your body. Next time you lean into the fridge on the hunt for some delicious leftovers, pour yourself a glass of water and drink the whole thing. This will help you identify whether you are actually hungry or simply dehydrated and/or bored looking for something to do.

4. Eat Mindfully

During this time at home, majority of us have a lot more spare time than usual. This is the perfect opportunity to practice mindful eating.
Timing is everything – do not rush! When you eat slowly you give your brain enough time to receive ‘fullness’ signals. Chewing your food properly and paying attention to each bite will lead to an improvement in your digestion and increase your level of satisfaction after your meal. As a result you are less likely to overeat. Along with this, try to eat with no distractions. Allocate yourself a designated space to eat whether it be the dining room table or the kitchen bench rather than infront of the television.
It is important to be present in the moment, after all, food is meant to be enjoyed!

5. Stay Positive

When it comes to eating habits, no-one is perfect and it is very important to never be too hard on yourself even if you do slip up and ‘break your diet’. Instead of dwelling on things you cannot change, take a deep breath, forgive yourself and reset! Simple things such as drinking a glass of water to help flush out the toxins in your body and going for a light walk to reduce any bloating and to clear your head can help you get back on track and make you feel better alot sooner. It is crucial that in the circumstance of overeating, that you do not skip your next meal and that you get back on track to prevent this from reoccurring. It is OKAY to treat yourself every now and then!
Forming and maintaining a good relationship with food will result in an overall healthier mind and body.
Remember balance is key and a positive mindset is everything!

REMEMBER, STAY STRONG, STAY CRUNCHING, STAY POSITIVE!