Healthy post-quarantine habits

Healthy post-quarantine habits
The past few months, with COVID in the community, have changed the way we live, and the way we eat. While isolation may have bred a few bad habits, it’s also given rise to some good ones. Here are three post-quarantine healthy habits to continue as you head out the door more often.
1. Breakfast: The best start to the day
Rushing out the door in the morning can make sitting down to breakfast seem like a luxury. While in isolation, many people made time for this important meal, which in turn, can make a big difference to health.
Nuts are a perfect addition at breakfast, providing a burst of nutrients to start the day, including fibre, which helps keep you fuller for longer.



2. Healthy snacks at your fingertips
It’s easier to make good food choices when you have them available.
Nuts are a perfect kitchen staple, as they keep for 4-6 months in the fridge or freezer. They make great snacks just as they are, but can also be incorporated into other tasty and nutritious snacks to prepare for when you’re back in the office or on-the-go.



3. Plant-based eating
Have you been experimenting with different ingredients during the past few months?
Rather than falling back into your ‘meat and three veg’ habit, why not continue with more plant-based eating? Studies suggest this has benefits for both your health and that of the planet [1-3].
Nuts are a great addition to meals and make tasty alternatives to meat and poultry dishes. They also provide a boost of nutrients, including heart-healthy ‘good’ fats, plant protein, dietary fibre, and a wealth of other essential vitamins and minerals.



References
- Willett, W., et al., Food in the Anthropocene: the EAT-Lancet Commission on healthy diets from sustainable food systems. The Lancet, 2019. 393(10170): p. 447-492.
- Satija, A. and F.B. Hu, Plant-based diets and cardiovascular health. Trends Cardiovasc Med, 2018.
- Qian, F., et al., Association Between Plant-Based Dietary Patterns and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Intern Med, 2019. 179(10): p. 1335-44.