Balance & lifestyle
Lauren Todd , nutritionist at UCOOK .
So often you can get bogged down with what is or is not right for a healthy lifestyle – exercise often , but not too much ; eat veggies but also eat enough protein , but be vegan / paleo / keto ; eat carbs , but then also do not eat carbs ; how much fat is too much or too little ? Way too much information for anyone to follow and apply . Information overload is very apparent the minute you log on . There is no single formula or magic bullet to any of these questions , besides finding what works best for your very own body , life and soul . How are you meant to find balance in your lifestyle if you do not even know where to start ?
The easiest place to begin , is to keep a food and lifestyle diary . Get a little notebook , or start a document on your favourite device , and take note of foods that you eat that either make you feel good or bad . This will help you know which foods energise you and keep you focused , and the ones that make you tired , bloated or grumpy . Note your physical activities and how they make you feel .
Take note of your mental health and what triggers your stress , depression , mental fatigue during the week and the weekends , and that calms you and makes you happy .
If you find that red meat does not agree with you , replace it with chicken , fish or plant-based proteins , and some spinach for extra iron . If you do not enjoy running in the heat , then swop it for a yoga flow or high
intensity interval training class . If the thought of your job stresses you out , try a 5-minute meditation before you start your day or before you go to bed .
Being self-aware can help manage a happy and healthy lifestyle , and ultimately give your life some balance .
We have created a few recipes to help balancing time and nutrition !
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