Times are particularly tough right now, and as we all settle into isolation, many of us are worried about the effects on our mental health. Here are our top tips for using food to nurture yourself and stay healthy, happy… and sane!

Eat Regularly

If you go long periods of time without eating, your body can’t function at its best. Skipping meals can result in fatigue and/or headaches. Include a balance of carbohydrates, proteins and fats throughout the day to provide your body with what it needs. Having a balance of these helps keep blood sugar levels stable and will help you feel more energised.

Drink Water

Drinking water gives you energy and keeps your cells functioning at their
best. Remember, thirst can be mistaken for hunger, so keeping yourself hydrated might stop you eating more than you need.

Eat the Rainbow

A way to ensure you’re getting a wide range of nutrients is to include whole
foods of every colour in your diet: red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple and even white every day. Non-perishables like tinned foods are included in this, also.

Avoid High Sugar

When you’re feeling a bit down, it can be tempting to reach for the sweet
treats. However, the quick boost of energy obtained from sugary snacks
soon leads to a crash, and then you’ll feel even worse. Instead, look for
slow-release energy: turn to whole grains or whole fresh fruit combined with some protein and fat. Why not try an apple with a few pieces of cheese.

Plan Ahead

Meal planning reduces time spent in the supermarket and makes it easy to use everything you have in the house. At the start of the week, try to create even a rough outline of what you want to eat in the days ahead,
combining cupboard supplies with fresh items.