Easy ways to boost your nutrition

WHEN

your are starved, stopping by your favourite restaurant on your way home from work is all too easy, but months of eating heavy, satisfying dishes isn’t good for your health.

With bold flavours, nutrientdense ingredients and a few cooking tricks, sticking to a healthy routine is simple. Dietitian McKel Hill, and founder of Nutrition Stripped based in the US, offers her top tips:

Focus on real, whole foods

Stay away from fast food and artificial ingredients and instead stock up on whole foods like leafy greens, nuts and fruits. Find recipes that help you recreate your favourite comfort food recipes in a healthy way, like a vegan fettuccine Alfredo. If you’re entertaining guests, a plant-based entree ensures that most guests can share in the meal. For example, a vegetarian nut loaf is a dense and hearty base that you can spice up by roasting Brussels sprouts, carrots and sweet potatoes, with rosemary for added fiber and nutrients.

Find the right tools

When you’re hungry, you need cooking tools that will help you get the job done faster. Ensure that proper baking and consistent browning takes place when you use an oven. These should allow you to cook several dishes at once. You can roast a pan of veggies and your lean protein all at once— you won’t have time to snack on junk food. You can also check the status of your dish from your smartphone, instead of spending so much time in the kitchen.

Plan ahead

Plan your meals ahead of time so you know what’s on the menu. You won’t be tempted to stop and pick up takeout if you have all the ingredients for a delicious meal at home. But despite your best efforts, life gets in the way of even the most perfectly planned meal. Select electric oven models that allow you to preheat remotely from your phone when you’re stuck in traffic or in a long line at the store.

Keep healthy snacks on hand

Encourage yourself to make healthy choices all day with packable snacks on hand. Put preportioned carrots and hummus or tuna and crackers in your refrigerator for when you need an energy boost.

A nutrient-dense diet doesn’t have to mean giving up your favourite foods. Follow these tips to feel energised.