Your guide to a balanced lifestyle in 2026

AS we step into 2026, many of us are looking to improve our health, manage our weight and cultivate a positive mindset.

Our healthy eating columnist, Sharron McCormick, is back for another year to bring readers a different recipe each week.

A self-confessed ‘foodie’, Sharron loves nothing more than to experiment and create new recipes – all of which are healthy and guilt free!

She says: "With an increasing awareness of the interconnectedness of nutrition, mental wellbeing and physical fitness, it’s vital to understand how our dietary choices can shape our overall health.

"Understanding how making lifestyle changes, making nutritional choices and being in a caloric deficit can dramatically improve your health as well as your weight.

"One of the fundamental concepts of improving your health is by making mindful and nutritious lifestyle choices, that fuel both your body and mind.

"When you adopt these principles and team this with being in a calorie deficit it can dramatically improve your health and lead to sustainable weight loss.

"Simply put, eating healthily ensures that you consume a balanced and nutritious diet that is full of vitamins and minerals and can naturally lead to a calorie deficit - a calorie deficit occurs when you consume fewer calories than your body needs to maintain its current weight or burn more calories than you consume.

"This deficit then forces the body to use stored fat for energy, leading to weight loss.

"For example, if your body requires 2,500 calories per day to maintain it’s current weight, then consuming 2,000 calories creates a deficit of 500 calories.

"This approach, when combined with mindful eating, leads to healthy and sustainable weight loss.

"However, it's essential to ensure that even in a deficit you’re consuming nutrient-dense foods to support your overall health.

“What we eat significantly impacts not only our physical health but also our mental wellbeing. Research shows that a balanced diet rich in whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats can enhance mood, reduce anxiety, and improve cognitive function."

Sharron’s top tips for success:

* Nutrient-rich foods: “Foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon and walnuts, can boost brain health.

“Meanwhile, antioxidants found in berries and leafy greens combat oxidative stress, which is linked to mental decline.

“ Incorporating herbs and spices into your diet can also greatly impact your health and help reduce inflammation, improve digestion and lead to improved gut health.

* Gut-brain connection: “Emerging research highlights the connection between gut health and mental health.

“A diet rich in fibre from whole foods promotes a healthy gut microbiome, which has been shown to influence mood and mental clarity.

“You will be surprised how quickly you can improve your gut health and mental wellbeing by just incorporating a more mindful approach to the foods you eat and drink.

* Stabilising blood sugar: “Consuming a balanced mix of macronutrients (fats, proteins, and carbohydrates) helps stabilise blood sugar levels.

“Avoiding spikes and crashes can lead to better energy levels throughout the day and improved focus.

“If you’re eating is erratic and your choices are the ultra processed foods that adorn the supermarket shelves then it’s likely to make you feel sluggish, tired and often out of control.

“The highs and lows associated with these unhealthy processed foods often leads to more snacking and in turn weight gain which affects how you look and more importantly, how you feel.

“Making lifestyle changes is a sure way to improve your overall health and weight.”

Sharron adds: "Improving health isn’t just about physical changes; it also involves cultivating a positive mindset.”

Here are some strategies to consider:

* Mindful eating: “Paying attention to what and how you eat can enhance your relationship with food.

“Mindful eating encourages savouring meals, recognising hunger and fullness cues, and appreciating the nutritional value of your choices.

“It can also improve your palate encouraging you to try new foods and creating a new or increased passion for texture, flavour and health benefits of foods in your diet.

“This leads to a much more healthy approach to what you consume.”

* Set realistic goals: “Instead of aiming for drastic changes, set achievable, incremental goals.

“This approach can foster a sense of accomplishment and motivate you to continue your journey. It’s not a race, small changes can have a massive impact.

“Every pound you lose is less pressure on your joints which can really improve your physical wellbeing.

* Celebrate the victories: “Focus on the achievements, such as increased energy levels, improved sleep quality, or enhanced mood.

“These milestones can be just as significant as weight loss.

“Instead of rewarding yourself with food items, reward yourself with things like a hot bubble bath, a face mask, reading your favourite book, watching a favourite film, going for a walk or chat with friends, do the things that make you feel good, make these rewards food for the heart not the body.”

Sharron concluded: "As we embrace 2026, committing to a balanced lifestyle can be transformative.

“By listening to your body, being mindful and understanding the principles of making good nutritional diet and lifestyle choices as well as being in a calorie deficit, you will begin to recognise the impact of nutrition on your own mental and physical health.

"This is imperative if you want to foster a positive mindset and pave the way for a healthier, happier year ahead.

“Remember, every small change contributes to a greater transformation - so take the first step today."

For further details, regular updates and delicious recipes, see Sharron's website by logging onto www.shapeyourlife.uk

You can also pick of a copy of the Strabane Weekly News each week to see Sharron's latest recipe.