These simple rules, tweaks and swaps will boost your health quickly, easily and without a total life overhaul…

1 Alkalise Your Plate

The theory is that an acidic body state promotes disease and that your body functions better when it’s alkaline. This means focusing meals on fruit, vegetables and certain wholegrains, and limiting animal products.

“A very simple rule is to divide your plate into four – make half of it veg, mostly green. Then fill a quarter with lean meat, fish or poultry. The other quarter should be wholegrain carbohydrates or pulses,” says nutritionist Nina Omotoso.

ALSO SEE: 12 Power Foods You Need To Start Eating Today

2 Revisit Your Veg Enemies 

Make a list of every vegetable you don’t like. Now, cook each of them in different ways. “It can completely change the way they taste,” says nutritionist Ian Marber. Suggestions include grilling, roasting, poaching in stock, adding grated apple and cooking slowly in a little water, or stir-frying with additions like chilli, lemon or flaked almonds. Broccoli cooked with almonds tastes great. Or try carrots roasted with cumin and paprika, or cabbage poached in chicken stock.

TRY THIS: Roasted Carrot And Buckwheat Salad Recipe

3 Mix Up Your Mash

Try mashing cauliflower, sweet potato, butternut or carrot, or a mix of two. For example, carrot, garlic and sweet potato taste really good together. “It satisfies comfort cravings just as well as traditional mashed potato,” says wellness guru Jennifer Irvine.

TRY THIS: Braai-Baked Sweet Potatoes Recipe

4 Use Less Oil When Stir-Frying

“This is an easy way to cut back on kilojoules,” says Jennifer Irvine. Use a non-stick pan, stir-fry ingredients in a teaspoon of oil, then add a good splash of water.

ALSO SEE: What Is The Healthiest Cooking Oil?

5 Cut Down On Meat 

Eat only veggie dishes one day a week and you can reduce your saturated fat intake. Even cutting out one serving of meat a day is thought to reduce your risk of diabetes.

ALSO SEE: Why You Should Follow The Mediterranean Diet

6 Cut Baking Fat In Half 

Experiment – replace half the butter in sweet recipes with mashed banana, puréed apple or pear.

7 Throw In Extra Veggies 

By adding puréed or finely chopped vegetables to soups, stews and sauces, you can double your daily veggie intake.

8 Like Smoothies?

Blend in a handful of vegetables to increase nutrients. “Stick to the same colour family,” says Jennifer. So, if you are going to make an apple and lime smoothie, green veg, such as spinach or celery, will work. Orange or peach-based smoothies can have a carrot or roasted squash added.

TRY THIS: Super Healthy Ginger And Lemon Tea Smoothie Bowl Recipe

9 Eat Canned Salmon Instead Of Tuna 

…says dietician Nichola Whitehead. It’s richer in omega-3 fatty acids, plus the little edible bones help increase your calcium intake.

10 Switch From Fruit Yoghurt To Greek 

They’re higher in protein, so will keep you fuller for longer.

11 Get Garnishing 

It’s a great way to add a few extra nutrients. Parsley is packed with vitamin C, while nori sheets – edible seaweed that’s used in sushi, which can be crushed and sprinkled on soups, stews or salads – are rich in iodine and selenium.

ALSO SEE: 6 Steps To Mindful Eating

12 Serve Alcohol In A Straight-Sided Glass, Such As A Tumbler 

We drink from this at half the speed as a curved glass (like a wine glass), cutting kilojoules, sugar and units in your diet, according to a study by Bristol University.