It’s now the New Year and how many of you want to make a new start? Here are a few ideas of changes you can make to your diet and your lifestyle to ensure this year is healthier for you.

Make every calorie count:
Super Slim is not a calorie counting organisation and we do not want you to get hung up about counting calories, however, you do need to decrease the quantities of high fat and high sugar foods you eat. Choose your meals from real foods, the best nature has to offer; raw vegetables, whole grains, fresh fruits and pulses. Prepare your food in simple ways to preserve their nutritional value.

Avoid processed and convenience foods:
Skip junk fats, margarines, refined sugar and simple carbohydrates which tend to be depleted of essential minerals, trace elements and fibre. Our lives are busy but please do not use this as an excuse to eat only convenience foods. They are not the healthiest option and should only be used in emergencies.

Go organic:
Whenever possible buy organic vegetables, fruits and grains... Foods grown without chemical fertilisers help protect your body from pollution, while keeping essential nutrients in good balance, on which continuing health depends.

Get smart about food labels:
Don't be misled by the word 'natural' or 'no preservatives'. Watch out for hydrogenated fats, aluminium, colourings and preservatives. Be watchful of the ‘fat free’ statements. These foods can still include high sugar quantities and therefore high calories.

Wash non-organic foods well:
Use 1 tbsp of baking soda to a sink of water. This helps clear them of acid pollutants.

Drink clean water:
Use a good water filter; buy purified water or the very best natural spring waters. Try not to drink tap water.

Eat more oily fish:
Believe it or not oily fish is good for us. Sardines, mackerel, trout, tuna and salmon are full of healthy fatty acids.

Practise UV protection:
Exposure to sunlight is a great ager, especially with the depletion of the ozone layer. Protect yourself. Both make up and sun creams are available with built in UV protection.

Cut down on meat:
Unfortunately, some meat and poultry we buy comes from chemically raised animals given antibiotics. If you eat meat, make it organic. If you eat chicken and eggs, make them free range.

Get enough sleep:
Sleep is the body's great rejuvenator. It increases antioxidant activities to counter free-radical dangers in the body, enhances the production of the anti-ageing hormone melatonin and is essential to de-ageing your body.