Earlier this year, I wrote a blog about new years resolutions and why I thought, based on research, Australians would struggle to keep them, especially when it came to food and health.
Three months later, new research has found that more than two-thirds of Australians who made resolutions to eat better food and reduce or completely cut out unhealthy snacks failed to keep their New Years promise.
The research, commissioned by McCains Foods, found that 52 per cent of Australians made a New Year's resolution to improve their diet and within two months, most had failed.
Only 30 per cent of people surveyed stuck to their New Years resolution of healthier eating.
Accredited practicing dietitian and founding director of Food & Nutrition Australia, Sharon Natoli, said the broken resolutions were due to the increasingly busy lifestyles of Australians.
"Many people fail to keep New Years resolutions once they return to work because of the demands of family and work commitments," Natoli said.
Eating healthy does not have to be hard, however, even with hectic work schedules or social lives.
"There are many ways to pull a healthy dinner together quickly; it simply requires a little planning. For those nights when you are really short on time, there are also many choices available in your local supermarket freezer with convenient, nutritious options for many of your favourite dishes," Natoli said.
To get back on track with your New Years resolution of healthier eating, at times when you don't have the time to cook your own food, Natoli recommended that people replace fast food restaurants for a frozen meal.
Stocking up on frozen vegetables is a good idea because they usually have the same amount of nutrition or even more, compared to their fresh counterparts. As for frozen meals - not all of them are good for you, however, educating yourself on how to read a nutrition chart is a good idea so you can choose the appropriate foods that are good for you.
Slowly cutting down on your portions is also a good idea because it re-trains your stomach to feel full with less food food, aiding with weight management.
When feeling hungry, drink a glass or two of water and wait 15-20 minutes, because thirst can often be mistaken for hunger.
Try seasoning your meals with herbs and spices instead of salt, as too much salt is not good for your health.
As with everything health related, a little bit of exercise - walking instead of driving, taking the stairs instead of the elevator - will go a long way.