Nutrition and Hydration Week – Seven Key Tips for Health

Nutrition and Hydration Week was launched in March 2012 with the aim to educate people on the value of food and drink in maintaining health and wellbeing, particularly in the health and social care setting. #nutritionandhydrationweek

To show our support, we put together seven days of tips focusing on nutrition and hydration for supporting health, which we shared on social media throughout Nutrition and Hydration Week.

Those seven tips are included here in an easy-to-read list.

Tip #1

Proper hydration is key to health. Dehydration can result in headaches, lack of energy, weight gain, digestive issues and lowered immunity.

To stay properly hydrated, drink enough water for your body weight, eat more fruits and vegetables and include natural sea salt in your diet.

Tip #2

Eat a rainbow of plant-based foods – different coloured fruits, vegetables, beans, pulses, nuts and seeds, whole grains and herbs and spices offer a range of vitamins and minerals.

Aim to eat 10-12 servings of plant-based foods every day and more if you eat a 100% plant-based diet.

Tip #3

Limit processed foods and sugar. Any foods that contain ingredients that have been refined or artificial colours, flavours or preservatives is considered to be ‘processed’.

Whilst these foods might be convenient to prepare, they can include large amounts of salt and unhealthy types of fats, as well as sugar, which are not supportive to health.

Tip #4

Include healthy fats in your diet – monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are referred to as ‘good fats’ as they are supportive to health. They can be found in oily fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines, herring), avocados, seeds, nuts, olives and extra virgin olive oil.

Some saturated fats are also beneficial, including those found in coconut oil, eggs, and meat and butter from grass-fed animals.

Tip #5

Eat healthy protein daily – protein is used by our bodies to produce everything from cells to muscles, hormones and antibodies. The healthiest protein options are eggs, fish, seafood, chicken, turkey, lean meats, nuts, seeds, beans and pulses.

Tip #6

Include probiotic foods in your diet daily to provide good bacteria to support the microbiome and hence gut and immune health. Sources of probiotics include live plain yoghurt as well as fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kefir and kombucha.

Prebiotic foods can also help to feed the good probiotic bacteria and include onions, garlic, leeks, artichoke, asparagus and unripe bananas.

Tip #7

Eat mindfully and avoid over-eating. Focus on the act of eating and enjoy every mouthful of the food on your plate. Only eat when you are hungry and stop eating when you start to feel full.

Learn more about Nutrition and Hydration Week

• Reinforce, Focus and Energise – Nutrition and Hydration Week

Want to know more?
ProVen Probiotics aim to provide the best support for both you and your health. If you wish to know more about gut health and staying healthy please do not hesitate to call us on 01639 825107 or alternatively, learn more via our blogs or in-depth ProVen research.

ProVen Probiotics, Unit 2 Christchurch Road, Baglan Industrial Park, Port Talbot, SA12 7DJ. Tel: 01639 825107