This photo was taken prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Five Ways to Get Healthy this Nutrition Month

Health and well-being are multidimensional. This Nutrition Month, consider the following tips to improve your habits and start feeling better.

By Angelica Breland, Student Intern, University Communications

 

Plan ahead before you go grocery shopping. Not only will your time in the store be less stressful, but you’ll likely end up saving money and being better prepared for the week. Developing a meal plan will also help you get a better idea of what you might be lacking in your diet.

Get creative in the kitchen. Stock up on some pantry staples that you can spice up by adding different sauces, proteins and spices. These staples are found in most recipes, saving you time and money next time you go grocery shopping.

Steer clear of diet culture and remember that you can be healthy at any size. Health at Every Size (HAES) is about accepting the diversity of body types and stresses the importance of healthy lifestyle behaviours rather than the belief that health is based on one's appearance. 

Try to eat intuitively and focus on improving overall health. HAES encourages adopting healthy habits that suit you and your lifestyle, whatever that looks like. These are some things to keep in mind:
  • Whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and lean proteins are an important part of a healthy diet.
  • Canadian adults should be getting 7-9 hours of sleep a night.
  • Physical activity doesn’t have to be boring - find an activity that you enjoy.
  • Whether it’s a phone call, a Zoom meeting, or a socially distanced walk, good social relationships are key to mental, physical and emotional wellness.
Fact or fiction? Don’t let fads distract you from eating healthy and balanced meals. Always check where the information is coming from. Eat Well Saskatchewan is free to Saskatchewan residents and will connect you with a Registered Dietitian.

Looking for more help? Free nutrition and exercise counselling is available to USask employees and their family members through EFAP.

Week Four: Get the facts 

Week Three: Small changes yield big results

Week Two: Health at Every Size

Week One: Nutrition month 

The content in this article was adapted from information provided by Nutrition students in the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition - Élise Bourgeois, Meg Fotheringham, Marisa Desmarais and Leah Overbye.