Now January is out of the way, many of us will be attempting to keep up our healthy eating but could be lacking inspiration.  Don’t simply stick to dull salads; how about making eating well that bit easier?  Try this tasty sweet potato soup with a blackberry twist that will be sure to warm you up this winter.

Nutritional Health Coach, Sunday Times best-selling author and creator of the Glow Guides App, Madeleine Shaw has teamed up with British Summer Fruits to launch the Eat Smart campaign.  The campaign aims to encourage people to cook from scratch using fresh, natural ingredients and educate them on the benefits of eating fruit and vegetables as shocking new stats from British Summer Fruits, reveal that one in ten Britons (11 percent) never eat the recommended daily amount.

So watch our video as she shows us how to whip up this super easy and healthy sweet potato soup with a blackberry and basil sauce, which is sure to give you that important energy boost during the weary winter months.

Not only is this recipe rich, creamy and full of flavour, but a handful of berries can also help to contribute to one of your five a day and are an important source of vitamins and minerals, as well as helpful anti-oxidants.

It’s the perfect recipe for anyone trying to be healthier this New Year, or for those who simply want to try something new.

 

Also follow some of Madeleine Shaw tops tips for healthy eating.

 

1) Don’t skip breakfast

If breakfast is the most important meal of the day, adding a portion of fruit into the mix is the perfect way to supercharge your day ahead. A handful of yummy berries can naturally sweeten a bowl of porridge, or popping a cup of strawberries in the blender with almond milk can whip up a quick and easy smoothie. Fun fact: As little as 7 strawberries (80g) provides your recommended daily amount of vitamin C!

 

 2) Mid-morning Grazing

Keep a pot of raw fruit or chopped veggies on your desk, and munch on them when you feel tempted to reach for sugary snacks with your mid-morning cup of tea. Alternating between sugar snap peas, chopped carrots and a pot of mixed fruit will keep your energy levels up until lunchtime!

 

 3) Double up on vegetables for lunch

Your lunch probably contains some veggies already, whether it’s a nourishing soup or some lettuce leaves next to a juicy chicken breast. To maximise your recommended daily intake, double the quantity of vegetables you would usually put in and try to find new ways to incorporate leafy greens, whether it’s wilting some spinach into your soup or adding some tomato to your avocado on toast.

 

 4) Post workout raspberries

Planning the body’s recovery is just as important as your exercise plan. I like snacking on a punnet of raspberries or blending them into a shake, which is an ideal treat after a sweaty gym session. Phytochemicals in raspberries, which give them their ruby rich skin, guard against exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) and can help speed up recovery. So grab a handful of these little gems, and you might not feel as stiff the next morning.

 

 5) Treat yourself

Everyone needs a sweet treat every now and again, but a fruit-based dessert can offer a light, refreshing and importantly naturally-sweet ending to dinner. Blueberries are bursting with nutrients – they’re packed with antioxidants like vitamin C, as well as being high in fibre. Add them to some yoghurt, or blend with some almond milk and chia seeds to make a blueberry flavoured chia pudding!