EATING A HEALTHY DIET

You’ve probably heard this a thousand times, but it can never be repeated too often – Make sure you drink plenty of water! Depending on how hot it is and how active you are, you should be drinking between 2 and 3 litres per day. The best way to make sure your body and all your cells get enough liquid is to start your day by drinking one or two glasses of (hot) water on an empty stomach. For an extra boost to your well-being and to get your digestive system going, you might like to add a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice or a teaspoon of cider vinegar. Include lots of fresh, seasonal vegetables, salads and sun-ripened fruit in your diets. Most types of fruit naturally contain quite a lot of sugar (fructose), so be mindful about how much of these you eat. Complex carbohydrates from foods such as wholemeal grains, pseudocereals and potatoes are full of vitamins and nutrients and will give you lots of energy. Cover your daily protein intake with plant-based protein from foods such as pulses, tofu or seitan. These options are cholesterol-free, and generally also contain more dietary fibre than animal-based protein. Sustainably-sourced fish, lean meat, eggs and dairy products are also good sources of protein. Make sure to include unsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids in your daily diet. These can be found in nuts, seeds and quality oils. Your body needs healthy fats like these in order to produce hormones and cell walls. Cut down on salt by seasoning your meals with fresh herbs and spices.

By itself, the human body is unable to produce many essential compounds of vitamins, minerals and trace elements. That’s why it’s so important to include each of the above groups of food in your daily diet. They play a key role in keeping your brain and your cardiovascular system healthy. They also strengthen your immune system, regulate various metabolic processes and promote your overall physical and mental health.

Wherever possible, try to prepare your own meals. For best results, be on the alert when you go shopping! Focus on fresh, seasonal and preferably unprocessed foods. Write yourself a list, and don’t go food shopping on an empty stomach. If you follow this advice, you’re less likely to buy things spontaneously which means you’ll spend less.

Filling your fridge with fresh, colourful foods will motivate you to prepare tasty meals. In order to extract every ounce of goodness from the food you eat, choose a gentle cooking method. For example, our DUROTHERM® thermo cookware features double-wall technology and thus uses up to 60 % less electricity or gas, which preserves more of the nutrients and flavour.

Regardless of whether the meal you’re eating is freshly-cooked or warmed up from yesterday, never eat in a rush! Sit down and focus on enjoying your food without any other distractions. Mealtimes should never be combined with working on your computer, watching television or reading a newspaper.

1. “Good carb” is better than “low carb”

Eliminating carbs completely from your diet is neither healthy nor sustainable. But instead of eating sweets and pasta or products made with white flour, you can opt for wholewheat options or substitute with quinoa or potatoes. The dietary fibres in “good carbs” will keep you feeling full for longer and stave off hunger pangs by keeping your blood sugar levels steady. They also regulate your digestion and supply your gut flora with important prebiotics.

2. Avoid alcohol

Avoiding alcohol will help you avoid empty calories. In addition, your body will regenerate better after sports, you’ll sleep better and you’ll burn more fat.

3. Meal times and intervals

Our bodies and digestive systems respond gratefully if we give them a break between meals. If you want to improve your metabolism and general sense of well-being as well as burn fat more effectively, you should wait five to six hours between meals.

4. Relax, sweat and repeat!

In order to maintain a healthy weight and maximise your sense of well-being, you need to find a good balance between relaxation and exercise. Make sure you exercise three or four times a week, to the point where you’re out of breath and your heart beats fast. Visit the gym or go cycling, running or walking. Besides getting sufficient exercise, make sure you also get plenty of good-quality sleep. You should also consciously take time to relax – yoga and guided meditation are both excellent options.

5. Contentment and positivity

Alright... so you’re eating a balanced diet and getting plenty of exercise? Well done! Now it’s time to turn your attention to the third level, your psyche. Guard yourself against comparing yourself to other people or complaining constantly! Good physical health is one side of the coin, but good mental health means cherishing our bodies. Take some time out to pamper yourself!