New Year’s Resolutions

Wow, it’s that time of the year again!  After a month of eating (3 course meals, no less), drinking (white wine, red wine, mulled wine, please no more wine!), and more mince pies than would be considered healthy for any human – the 1st of January can’t come around soon enough.

In thinking about what I’d like to achieve in 2010, it was inevitable that some nutritional New Year’s resolutions would be made.  So, in the hope of inspiring some similar goals, I’ve written them out for you (this has the added benefit of me not being able to renege on any of them).

Drink more water

I do try, but I’m sure I rarely hit the recommended 2 litres a day.  In 2010, I’m going to start the day with a pint of squash. I’ll fill my 1.5L bottle with water first thing, even before I check my emails.  And I’ll drink another 2 pints of water or squash at home in the evening.

Control my boredom/stress/happy snacking

I’ll snack for any reason!  I also have very little self control, so when I start eating something yummy, I find it very tough to stop.  In 2010, I’m going to try keeping a food diary to get a good picture of when I snack and what’s triggered it.  I’m also going to research ways of managing my “emotional eating”.

Pay more attention to my protein and iron intakes

As a vegetarian, meeting the daily requirements for protein and iron (plus a whole host more nutrients) can be tricky.  This year, I’ve probably not given it enough consideration.  In 2010, I’m going to up my intakes of eggs, seeds and nuts, and tofu in particular.

Be more mindful of seasonal produce

Most fruits and vegetables are not in season the whole year.  So that we can enjoy strawberries in March, they come to us from Kenya and are artificially ripened on route (at a great health and carbon cost!).  Choosing seasonal produce is a fantastic way of ensuring you get the widest variety of nutrients possible.  In the UK, the following foods are in season:

Spring – broccoli, spinach, watercress, asparagus, rhubarb
Summer – tomatoes, salad leaves, courgettes, berries, apricots
Autumn – aubergine, beetroot, butternut squash, apples, pears
Winter – apples, brussel sprouts, leeks, cauliflower, celery

Eat a lighter dinner

Hands up: I’m guilty of having a big dinner after 8pm on most days.  This doesn’t give my body much time to digest the food, and all those calories then need to be stored before they can be used. In 2010, I’m going to have:

A good breakfast – whole grains and fruit
A substantial lunch – protein, carbohydrates and vegetables
A lighter dinner – Low GI carbohydrates or light proteins, and vegetables (especially soups)

Have one day off a week

I’ve been playing with this concept for a while and it does seem to work.   The idea is that for 6 days of the week week, I do my best to do my best.  And the 7th day?  Well, I can’t tell you how much I enjoy a guilt-free Sunday nut roast PLUS sticky toffee pudding at the pub with friends!

Actually, scrap that, I’m starting these on January 2nd!

I hope you see 2009 off with a wonderful celebration, and here’s to a bigger and better 2010!

Jill