Your health is important to you and your family. But if you're like most people, you don't always have time or energy to devote to improving it. However, there are some simple lifestyle changes that could make a big difference in how long and well you live.

These could be being prepared and always having a well stocked pantry of fruit, vegetables and wholegrains. Making sure your first aid kit is updated and you have all the basics from pain relief cream to hayfever remedies. Always carrying a reusable water bottle and staying well hydrated.

Most of these we know we need if we're looking to get healthy but often it seems like you don't have the time to execute your best laid plans! If this sounds like you we can help. In this article, we'll show how small changes can lead to big results when it comes to improving your health.

1. Eat a variety of foods

As you know, variety is the spice of life. It's also the secret to a healthy diet. Of course, the most important part of eating a varied diet is getting enough vitamins and minerals. But eating different foods can help you stay interested in your meals and maintain a balanced diet.

Vitamin C comes from oranges, strawberries, kiwis, and other fruits with bright skins or peels. Vitamin A comes from sweet potatoes, carrots, and leafy greens like kale (and yes—you should eat it!). Iron is found in spinach as well as beans and lentils. Zinc (a mineral) resides in oysters but also in nuts such as cashews and almonds. Make sure to eat food with all three macronutrients: proteins (meat or legumes), carbs (starchy vegetables like potatoes), and fats (olives).

Some nutrients such as probiotics are barely taken on the daily. You can consider taking probiotic supplements to keep your gut healthy. 

If you struggle to be organised when trying to eat well, check out these plant based diet tips from Delicious Door. They offer snack boxes with healthy, plant based, gluten free products such as super seed crackers, nuts, kale chips and superfood popcorn.

2. Eat many foods rich in carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are the primary source of energy for the body. They can be found in starchy foods, such as bread, pasta, and potatoes, as well as fruit and vegetables. Carbohydrates are essential to a healthy diet because they provide energy to fuel your body. The amount you need daily depends on factors such as how active you are and your age.

3. Replace saturated with unsaturated fat

If you're looking for ways to improve your health, one of the biggest things you can do is swap out saturated fats for unsaturated fats. Saturated fats are found in butter, cheese, cream, and meat. Unsaturated fats are found in vegetable oils and fish.

Limit saturated fat intake to less than 5% of daily calories; instead, more calories should come from polyunsaturated fatty acids, which include omega-3s like those found in fish oil.

4. Enjoy plenty of fruit and vegetables

Fruit and vegetables are an important part of any healthy diet. They contain many beneficial vitamins, minerals, and fiber that can help you feel better overall. They are also relatively low in calories compared to other foods, so they don’t contribute to weight gain as much.

Fruit and vegetables should be a staple in your diet. Choose fruit with high water content, such as watermelon or strawberries, or opt for dark leafy greens like spinach or kale instead of filling up on starchy vegetables like potatoes. You don't need to eat them all at once—have some each day so that it becomes part of your routine.

5. Reduce salt and sugar intake

One of the biggest contributors to adult obesity is eating too many calories. Sugar is a common source of calories, but it isn't an essential nutrient like protein and fat.

Salt has its own range of health problems, but limiting your intake is easy. For example, you can use herbs or spices to season your meals instead of adding extra salt.

6. Eat regularly, but control the portion size

Eating regularly and in smaller portions is important for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. While this may seem easy enough to do, it can be difficult to keep up the habit when you are busy or on the go. To make matters worse, portion sizes have increased significantly over the years, and our culture has made us accustomed to eating whenever we want – even when we are not hungry.

The best way to counteract these harmful behaviors is by making time for yourself and taking time each day to eat mindfully. You should eat when you are hungry because this will help prevent overeating later on in the day.

7. Drink plenty of fluids

Water, caffeine-free teas, and milk are great choices to stay hydrated. Avoid sugary drinks as they increase inflammation in the body and can make you feel more tired than normal.

Additionally, according to this professional female dentist in Melbourne, water is beneficial to your dental health as it helps in nullifying the acid level in your mouth.Aim for 8 glasses of water per day, but if you’re thirsty – drink more!

8. Maintain a healthy body weight

To maintain a healthy weight, it is important to eat less and exercise more. Keeping a healthy BMI will help prevent a range of health problems further down the line.

In addition to eating healthy foods, try not to follow fad diets as they are not effective long-term solutions for losing weight or maintaining healthy body weight. Instead of following these types of diets, you should focus on creating an exercise routine that fits into your lifestyle.

It also helps if we increase our activity level by taking short walks throughout the day instead of sitting down after work all day long. Setting small goals like doubling up on steps taken during each walk could greatly benefit you if you’re looking for some extra motivation.

9. Be physically active daily

Being physically active every day is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. To be more specific, you should be getting at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise on most days of the week for good health.

Being physically active can mean lots of different things, so here are some examples of how you can get active without hitting the gym:

• Brisk walking

• Playing with your pets in the park

• Gardening or raking leaves

• Using a golf mat for practicing your swing at home

10. Limit alcohol intake

If you do drink, limit it to one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men. Alcohol can cause liver damage, cancer, heart problems, weight gain, and headaches. It can also lead to sleep problems, depression, and anxiety.

11. Avoid unhealthy stress

Stress is an inevitable part of life, but it can be either good or bad. The difference lies in how you respond to stressors and challenges. If you're able to manage your response well, then the resulting stress is a good thing—it helps you push yourself harder and perform better during high-pressure situations.

However, your response to stress could turn into anxiety or other negative emotions such as anger, fear, or depression. This type of chronic distress isn't good for anyone; it can lead to serious health problems over time, including heart disease.

Wrapping Up

You can make positive changes to your lifestyle that will improve your health and well-being. You don’t have to do everything at once, but try starting with the easiest changes first and then moving on to more difficult ones.

You don’t have to be perfect. Just make small changes that you can stick with over time. Remember, every step you take towards a healthier lifestyle is worth it.

Written in collaboration with Milos Stojanovic.