We’re starting to feel that hint of warmth in the air, the sun setting later, our social calendars slowly intensifying. For those who perhaps let their health fall to the wayside while winter ran its course, no need to feel disheartened, think of this seasonal shift as a fresh start and an opportunity to reignite your wellness goals.

If 2022 was labelled the year for you to build a healthier, happier, self, I recommend keeping the following wellness hacks in mind to maintain balanced eating no matter the season.

1. Get Expert Advice

Seeing a health professional such as a Dietitian or Exercise Physiologist can help to further refine your health and wellness goals. Alternatively, find a health coach, someone you can check in with on a regular basis. Not only can they help to keep you accountable, but research shows that health and wellness coaching improves weight and nutrition behaviours.

2. Plan Your Meals Ahead of Time

Bulk cooking meals ahead of time can not only save you hours, but also ensures you’re not as likely to reach for less nutritious takeaway options when hunger strikes. Get creative in the kitchen and choose foods that you actually enjoy! Make meal prep an enjoyable way of mapping out your week and building that motivation.

3. Try a Meal Delivery Service

If you are struggling with your food wellness goals, and cooking isn't your forte, a meal delivery service, like MACROS, is an excellent way to take off the pressure and inject some precious time back into your day. Fresh, nutritionally balanced, Dietitian designed meals delivered straight to your door, MACROS is one of the meal delivery services that also offer tailored meal plans - sculpt, gain, balance - to suit a range of individual requirements no matter your routine. If you’re worried about losing that home cooked feel, they also create some delicious comfort meals like Massaman Beef Curry, Chilli Con Carne, and Creamy Mushroom Chicken Penne, but portion controlled of course!

4. Don't Cut Out Carbs

Carbohydrates are our body's preferred fuel source, so removing them from your diet can leave you feeling irritable and hungry. Instead of cutting out carbs, consider them a helpful companion come meal time, and choose complex, whole grain, and low GI carbs - such as black rice, barley, legumes, sweet potato and dense grainy breads.

5. Bulk Up Your Meals With More Veggies

Vegetables are generally packed with essential nutrients, they're low in energy and high in fibre, so great for adding volume and ensuring your meals keep you satisfied. Fresh vegetables also make a great option for when you feel like snacking or grazing at your work desk.

6. Include Protein With Each Meal

Protein can improve satiety making you less likely to become ravenous in between meals. Yoghurt, nuts, legumes, tofu, lean meats, eggs and fish are all great protein options. If you're looking for ready-made, the MACROS meals are specially formulated to be high in protein, so you stay fuller for longer whilst going about your busy day.

7. Practice Mindful Eating

Eating intuitively and focusing on your hunger and fullness cues can help prevent overeating. Taking the time to really enjoy your food can leave you feeling more satisfied with what you've consumed. Rid your immediate surroundings of any distractions, phones, laptop, TV, and really take a moment to enjoy the foods you are nourishing your body and mind with.

Don’t let the weather or mood dictate how to treat your body, stay motivated knowing how good you will feel keeping fit and strong the whole year round.

ABOUT MARIANNE HUDSON

Marianne Hudson is a Accredited Practising Dietitian & Exercise Physiologist with over 10 years of experience in the health and food industries. Marianne is passionate about evidence-based nutrition, food innovation and individualised health advice, all of which is a valuable part of her current role as MACROS Lead Nutritionist.

Marianne graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Science (Nutrition) (Honors), and a Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise Sports Science). She has worked as a Clinical Dietitian & Exercise Physiologist providing tailored health and lifestyle advice, and more recently in the food industry, specialising in new product development, nutrition communications and food labelling. For more hot nutrition tips, be sure to follow Marianne on Instagram @foodforfight. Apart from weekend brunching, baking, and sipping tea, you'll find her navigating farmers markets and supermarket aisles in search of the latest food trends and local produce!

ABOUT MACROS

MACROS ready-made meals make healthy eating easy and delicious for every Aussie. Nutritionally-balanced and portion-controlled, MACROS meals are dairy-free and cater to a range of dietary requirements, also offering pre-planned guides to help you achieve your wellness goals ie. choose from the ‘balance’ ‘sculpt’ ‘gain’ or ‘weight loss’ plans.

Whether you’re looking to sort healthy work lunches, are too busy to cook of an evening, or need that extra boost to help you achieve your fitness goals, MACROS has a plan for you with meals that start at $9.40 each.