The phrase ‘healthy eating’ is bound to elicit a few groans from those who instantly think of extreme diets, telling people to eat half a grapefruit for dinner or cut out so many of their favourite foods that it’s just not worth it. But there’s no reason to go to these extremes – a healthier lifestyle often takes just a few tweaks, additions or subtle changes to your weekly routine.
Whether you’re looking to lose weight, feel better or simply get more greens into your midweek meals, don’t start emptying your cupboards and stocking up on health foods you’ll never enjoy eating. Instead, implement little changes – steam fish instead of frying it, replace bread or potatoes with grains and pulses or limit the amount of meat you consume per week. This means you’ll be eating healthier meals without giving up the foods you love and are much more likely to turn your healthy eating goals into long-term results.
Use the following articles, guides and recipes as a base for your new approach to food. Cooking from scratch is always going to result in healthier dishes, so honing your skills in the kitchen or learning something new is the perfect place to start. And if you’re lacking inspiration for meals that follow specific diets such as vegan or low carb, we’ve curated the very best recipes from top chefs and bloggers. Whether you want to completely change the way you eat or just feel like a few little alterations would do your body good, take a look at what we’ve collected together below and take the first step towards a healthier you.
If you're not looking to focus on one specific thing and just want some new ideas for quick lunches, satisfying dinners or healthy breakfasts, take a look at these bright and colourful recipes to inject some inspiration into your weekly menu.
Apart from the rewarding feeling you get when cracking open a jar of homemade gherkins, home pickling is a great way to get more 'raw' vegetables into your meals without worrying about their shelf life. Buy yourself a couple of jars and join the pickling revolution.
Sure, a giant helping of egg-fried rice isn't the healthiest dish in the world, but there are plenty of other ways to enjoy this humble grain as part of a nutritious meal. Try simply swapping white rice for brown, or explore some of the more unusual or exotic varieties for a change of pace.
Vegan food has moved on massively from the days of mung bean curries and uninspired plates of vegetables. Most restaurants can cater to those who don't want to eat animal products, and many even have dedicated vegan menus. If you're thinking of going vegan or are just looking to increase your recipe repertoire, here are some of the best from the UK's finest chefs.
You don't need heat to cook fish and seafood – salt and citrus juice is just as effective. Get your ceviche and carpaccio skills up to scratch and enjoy the ocean's bounty in the freshest (and healthiest) way.
Intolerant, allergic or just looking to benefit from a free-from diet? Eliminating gluten or dairy is easier than you might think, and there are plenty of recipes to whip up in the kitchen at home – take a look.
