Blue Zoning This Festive Period

We all know one of the best ways to feel good in ourselves is to be healthy. What we put into our bodies has a huge impact on our mood, energy and body confidence. As we come up to the festive period, food can be a minefield for your health. 

Traditional diets are often about restriction and, as a result, can feel boring. But we also know the key to maintaining a healthy body and figure is long-term changes to what you eat. Forget about Atkins, the 5:2 diet and paleo – one of the most on-trend eating lifestyles at the moment is the Blue Zone diet. And it’s backed by science, too. 

What is blue zoning? 

Blue Zones are areas of the world which have the healthiest and longest-living people. Their environment, lifestyles and diets are all optimised to give them the highest life expectancies in the world. People in Blue Zones have lower levels of chronic disease, obesity and BMIs. 

While people who live in Blue Zones aren't exclusively vegan or vegetarian, they eat a majority plant-based diet. It's estimated that over 90% of people's diets in Blue Zones are plant-based. Vegans and followers of plant-based diets are the most likely to be a healthy body weight. So, to feel your best in your bandeau bikini on your winter holiday, we recommend adopting a plant-based diet. In doing so, you'll also naturally achieve another key tenet of a Blue Zone diet, which is to eat whole, unprocessed foods. 

The good news is that thanks to a rise in veganism, plant-based options are now flavourful and exciting. Many of us associate Christmas dinner with turkey, but vegan and vegetarian alternatives are now leading the way. 

Vegan nut roasts are a delicious and healthy alternative to the meaty centrepiece of Christmas dinner. The entire roast is made from a combination of vegetables, pearl barley and nuts, with optional vegan cheese. It's not only a delicious festive indulgence but also very healthy. Hello, guilt-free Christmas dinner. 

If you've got a sweet tooth, vegan Christmas pudding made with most of the traditional ingredients will satisfy that craving. In some recipes, you can substitute eggs for low calorie, protein-rich chia seeds. 

Reduce your dairy intake