The new year often heralds a resolve to take more positive steps to improve health and general wellbeing. With 20 years' experience of guiding the public to eat well, feel good and live better, The Happy Pear (aka Steve and Dave Flynn) are well placed to provide expert tips on the simple steps that can be taken to enjoy a healthier and happier 2025!

With a YouGov survey in 2023, showing that many of us need a helping hand to stick to planned healthier lifestyle changes at the start of a new year, Steve and Dave have put together 10 top tips to make 2025 your healthiest year yet!

1. Start Your Day with a Health Boost

Kick off your mornings with a vibrant green smoothie or a warm, nutrient-packed elixir like ginger tea and a delicious bowl of fruit with granola and yoghurt. Getting those essential fruits and vegetables in early in the day is a great way to fuel your energy and vitality. Another good habit to adopt is to try to get into the routine of a drink of warm lemon water in the morning. It's hydrating, supports digestion, and sets a positive tone for the rest of the day.

2. Fill Half Your Plate with Veggies

At every meal, aim for half your plate to consist of colourful, fresh, or cooked vegetables. This simple rule boosts fibre intake (90% of of UK adults don't eat enough fibre), as well as adding in more essential vitamins and minerals.

3. Prep Like a Pro

Batch cook in advance. Cook soups, roast sweet potatoes, or prep lentil-based curries to ensure healthy options are always within reach to help avoid giving into the temptation of fast-food takeaways or sugar-laden snacks when you are feeling hungry. Prepping saves time and makes it easier to stick to your goals.

4. Think Global for Inspo

Explore traditionally veg-heavy cuisines like Thai, Indian, or Mediterranean. These naturally centre on fresh, plant-based ingredients and bold flavours destined to tempt your taste buds. 

5. Steer clear of ultra processed

Seek out recipes which represent natural, wholefoods rather than eating purchased meals with ultra processed ingredients, as these will not only be healthier (there is increasing awareness of linking ultra-processed foods to potential health risks), but since ultra-processed foods are likely to make you feel hungrier, you may find yourself consuming more calories which can lead to weight gain.

6. Move More

Humans are not designed to be sedentary! Physical activity is key to vitality. Make moving an absolute priority. Take a brisk morning walk, find time for a cheeky dance break to your favourite playlist, or take up a new hobby such as yoga or pilates. All of these can reset your mood and keep you motivated and feeling great!

7. Try Meat-Free Mondays

If you're a real meat-lover, why not initially try experimenting with just one plant-based meal a week to make a more seamless transition to incorporating more plant-based ingredients into the diet.? Try a deliciously creamy mushroom linguine or hearty lentil shepherd's pie. You'll love how easy and delicious these can be and will soon be swapping in more plant-based meals – which are healthier for you and your budget! 

8. Snack Smart

Rather than reaching for nutritionally poor snacks such as crisps and sweets, switch these out for healthier (and more filling options) like carrot sticks and hummus, or roasted chickpeas with tamari and nutritional yeast. Simple swaps like these will make all the difference and will soon become a habit.

9. Reconnect with Nature

Spend time outdoors, even in the winter. A stroll in the fresh air can work wonders for your mental and physical health.

10. Involve Your Community

Share your goals with friends and family or join a healthy living challenge. Accountability makes sticking to changes much easier.

The Happy Pear has published seven cookbooks promoting the benefits of a wholefood, plant-based diet, they also offer 15 online courses with over 100k participants, run a recipe club with over 700 recipes on the website and have a social media following of nearly 2m. The Happy Pear also produces a range of award-winning healthy food products including pesto, hummus, granola, snacks and drinks. Their latest cookbook, The Happy Pear 20, celebrates 20 years in the industry. For more information on The Happy Pear, visit www.thehappypear.ie.