We are all on that road this month.
You know, where you try to fit into your summer outfits, maar die bietjie vetjies om die magie maak mock met jou shorts.
#TeamSummerBody is in full swing but exercising and eating gesonde kos is not just about losing weight, it’s also about keeping your body healthy.
On Tuesday we celebrated World Stroke Day and the South African Heart and Stroke Foundation is sending out a strong message that good food does not necessarily have to be boring or expensive.
On their website, www.heartfoundation.co.za, there are some fabulous ideas to keep your heart pumping healthy and delicious recipes that are affordable and easy to make.
First on the list of tips is to get your daily servings of fruit and veggies, and they recommend at least five portions a day, either fresh or frozen.
These provide high quality carbohydrates, protein and fibre.
Beans and lentils are a definite along with low-fat or fat-free dairy.
Dairy foods such as milk or yoghurt for calcium, protein, minerals and vitamins are an ace.
Also important are high fibre wholegrain starchy foods, which include wholewheat bread, brown rice, oats, wholewheat pasta and barley, instead of refined cereals.
Consume lean protein like fish, eggs, skinless chicken, mince and ostrich meat instead of processed and fatty meats like polony, viennas, salami and sandwich ham.
Choose healthy fats found in canola, olive or sunflower oil, soft tub margarines, peanut butter, nuts and seeds, avocado and fish.
Go for food high in omega 3 fats which are good for your heart and can help to improve cholesterol levels, especially naturally oily fish such as sardines, pilchards, mackerel and salmon, which should be eaten at least twice a week.
Drink lots of water.
Along with eating healthier, try to do at least 30 minutes of exercising six days a week, like taking a brisk walk or swimming.