Top tips for eating well in physical isolation

 

Sometimes it's hard to stay focused on food goals while in isolation. Ashleigh, our Dietitian from headspace Early Psychosis has provided some top tips on eating while in isolation.

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 Tip 1: Utilise convenience foods. If like a lot of people, you are having trouble getting fresh foods or you are simply not shopping as frequently, consider using a mix of fresh, frozen and canned foods. These foods often are just as healthy as fresh and can be cheaper and last longer.

 

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Tip 2: Keep to your meal routine. If before isolation you would have breakfast, lunch and dinner, try and continue this while at home. If there is no routine, we can find ourselves running to and from the kitchen ‘grazing’ on snacks throughout the day without having any meals.

 

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Tip 3: Get creative in the kitchen. Why not use this time at home to try new foods or recipes at home. Not only can this be fun, it can be a good way to enjoy a larger variety of foods.

 

Tip 4: Eat a balanced diet. Try and eat a range of foods from the Five Food Groups every day.

  1. Vegetables and legumes/beans

  2. Fruit

  3. Grains and cereals, preferably wholegrain

  4. Lean meats and poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, nuts and seeds and legumes/beans

  5. Milk, yogurt cheese and/or alternatives, mostly reduced fat

 

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Tip 5: Keep hydrated. It can be easy to forget to drink enough water while at home. Most people should aim for 6-8 glasses/day.

hsIllustration Drinking water

Tip 6: Try and eat away from screens. While at home we are spending more time in front of our screens. We are studying/working, watching movies and even socialising in front of a screen so it can be easy to eat there too. Try and eat away from these distractions as it is difficult to know when we are full or to enjoy our meals.

 

hsIllustration Catching up for coffee

Need more support with eating well? Ask your GP for a referral to an Accredited Practitioner Dietitian (APD). An APD is a healthcare professional that is qualified to provide safe, evidence-based dietary advice. 

For more information on eating well visit eatforhealth.gov.au or headspace.org.au

If you are from headspace early psychosis and would like to find out more, give us a call today: 1800 683 784.