QUICK FIXES TO EATING WELL

Closer’s nutritionist Juliette Kellow provides her top tips to help you get back to your best this summer:

ESTABLISH REGULAR EATING HABITS

We’ve gone through a period where set mealtimes may have gone out the window, or we’ve eaten more erratically as normal routines have been on hold – this can mean eating less healthily. Having regular mealtimes again will add structure to your day, so stick to three meals and two snacks, ideally at usual eating times. Save treats for the weekend.

SEPARATE YOUR WORKSPACE AND KITCHEN

If we’re working from home, we have instant and constant access to food, so it’s easy to eat when we’re bored. This can lead to overeating. Stick to normal working hours and breaks, and, if possible, create a specific area in your home for work. Plan lunch and snacks in advance.

DON’T STOCKPILE TREATS

It’s tempting to buy loads of chocolate, cakes, crisps, and biscuits, but the more we have, the more we eat, and the extra calories these treats provide can cause unwanted weight gain. Choose healthier snacks like low-fat dips with breadsticks, air-popped popcorn, strawberries, or freeze low-fat yoghurt or fruit juice in moulds to make lollies.

DRINK PLENTY OF THE RIGHT THINGS

Changes to our routine can mean we drink less water and have more tea, coffee, and sugary drinks. Too much caffeine can disrupt sleep; juices and soft drinks can increase sugar levels, and insufficient fluid can cause dehydration, resulting in headaches, tiredness, dizziness, anxiety, and poor concentration. Fill a jug or large bottle with water to sip throughout the day, have tea or coffee in moderation (around four mugs a day), limit fruit juice to 150ml daily, and choose sugar-free soft drinks.