How can you turn new vegetarian habits into a healthy long-term lifestyle?
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Zespri SunGold kiwifruit
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Zespri Green kiwifruit
The past months have seen us all adopt new behaviours – some healthy, some not so much! So how can you keep the better habits going for longer? If you’ve been following a vegetarian diet recently, keep reading for tips and hints on how to turn this into a lifestyle choice with the help of the delicious and healthy Zespri™ Green kiwifruit.
Read up
It’s good to get as much knowledge as possible before adopting new eating habits. Luckily, when it comes to vegetarian diets and recipes, there is loads of great information out there. You can find books in your local library or join a forum on the internet for vegetarians. And whilst you read up, why not stock up? Zespri™ Green kiwifruit are the perfect ingredient for any vegetarian, with 17 essential vitamins and minerals to boost your daily diet1,2.
Plan ahead
One of the hardest things about becoming vegetarian is finding yourself in situations where you don’t have any options. If you’re invited for a meal, for example, it might be a good idea to ask the host if you can contribute with a delicious vegetarian dish. And if you need some energy for socialising, remember that Zespri™ Green kiwifruit is an excellent source of vitamin C, a natural antioxidant that has been shown to increase vitality levels and reduce tiredness and fatigue3.
Tell friends and family
As behavioural scientists will tell you – when you commit to a habit in public, you are more likely to stick with it long-term. Talking to the people that you know, and love, can help you turn the plan into a reality. Hopefully, they’ll be supportive, but if they aren’t, you can use this opportunity to explain your reasons for following a vegetarian diet. Show them a few tasty Zespri™ kiwifruit recipes, and we’re sure they’ll be on your side!
Try one recipe a week
Going vegetarian 100% in one go can be tough. If you’re unsure about this change in habit, then it can be a good idea to take it slowly. Start with one dish, and then build this up until you have a variety of go-to vegetarian recipes that you use each week. What about griddle cakes with oats, chia seeds and Zespri™ kiwifruit? It’s the perfect vegetarian recipe for those starting out.
References
- New Zealand Ministry of Health. New Zealand FOODfiles 2014 Version 01. Available from: www.foodcomposition.co.nz/ (accessed 10 January 2017)
- USDA national nutrient database for standard reference (release 28) 2015. Available from:https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/(accessed 10 January 2017)
- European Commission. EU register on nutrition and health claims (2012).
