So many of us are creatures of habit: we wake up at the same time, have the same morning routine, and eat the same thing for breakfast each day. While this type of repetition can make life a lot less stressful by reducing the number of decisions we need to make daily, variety is super important in the diet.

Every food has it’s own profile of vitamins and minerals, macronutrients and micronutrients. Our goal each week should be to eat as large of a variety of foods that we can, in order to have a strong and balanced nutrient intake.

For example, if you eat the same bagel or the same eggs and toast 6 or 7 days a week, you’re only benefiting from the nutrients those foods can offer you, and are missing out on what hundreds of other foods could provide.

Even having two or three of your favourite breakfasts on standby will make a large difference in your nutrient intake, and therefore your overall health over the long term. Instead of relying solely on only toast and eggs, add in a smoothie, oats and berries, or avocado toast a few days a week.

The same goes for your lunches and dinners: be sure to switch up your protein and veggie sources regularly to get the most out of them.

This can be difficult for truck drivers having to rely on restaurants and truck stops, or cooking in the truck, but whenever you have the chance to eat a fruit or vegetable you haven’t had that week, jump on it!

Want a real challenge that will guarantee a huge variety of nutrients in your diet? Aim to eat over 20 different plants each week to start. Eating 30 different plants per week has been associated with an increased life expectancy, so eat up!