Shrewd financial management is all very well, but doing it at the expense of your physical wellbeing is rather missing the point. By investing just as carefully in your short- and long-term health and wellbeing by becoming more aware of what you eat, its benefits and the way in which you eat it, you’ll feel healthier and happier in the long run.

Irrespective of how busy your weekly schedule is, try to take time out to let your body and mind recuperate. Food is the fuel that gives us energy and vitality, so it makes sense to take the time to look after your own wellbeing. A little shopping and home cooking is all that is required.

Preparing seasonal fresh food in your own kitchen won’t just give you a sense of personal satisfaction but also a greater understanding of your daily dietary requirements. The cooking process itself is both relaxing and creative, producing alpha brain waves associated with the mental balance and potential to access your intuition.

Take time to lay the table and sit down to appreciate your endeavours. Food is more efficiently digested when the body is relaxed – indeed, the Japanese afforded this such importance that they formulated a highly complex ritual around the act of merely drinking tea that takes a lifetime to properly master.

Naturally, you don’t need to go to such lengths, but you should make sure all your ingredients, as far as possible, are organic – these contain a greater source of vitamins, minerals and omega 3, 6, and 9. Also, avoid pre-packaged meat, fish and other foods – they won’t be at their freshest, and their benefits will be fewer.

Of course, it’s all very well recommending you spend a few hours every morning at the local farmer’s market, but for the modern time-pressed professional, shopping requires a little more ingenuity. There are many reputable suppliers who will make weekly deliveries of organic fruit and vegetables to your door. Alternatively, you can maximise your time at the weekend by packing the fridge with inspired fresh provisions - special seasonal treats alongside your trusted staples. There is, after all, nothing quite so depressing as an empty fridge.

Nor does the cooking itself have to seem daunting – in the Italian tradition, with good ingredients, the tastiest, healthiest meals are often the simplest and easiest to prepare. Efficient time-management and creativity lie at the heart of good home cooking. It’s always a good idea, for example, to make enough food to allow for leftovers – that way; you’ll already have more tasty things to add to whatever you’re making next, as opposed being faced with the daunting task of starting every meal from scratch. Great leftover food equals great additional ingredients...

For instance, a Provençal Puy lentil dish with garlic, lemon and thyme can also be served with a grilled chicken breast at supper. The leftover lentils can then be transformed into a light lunch by adding some roughly chopped crunchy crudités and a handful of rocket, all tossed in a piquant Dijon vinaigrette. Alternatively, they could be blitzed into a spicy Moroccan lentil soup, dressed with a generous dollop of yoghurt, a slick of extra virgin olive oil and strewn with fresh coriander as a final flourish. Don’t be afraid to improvise – it’s all part of the fun. Your cooking (not to mention shopping) skills will quickly develop, and a whole wealth of delightful homemade surprises will naturally follow.

Indeed, the cookbook is not a bible, and the rules are there to be broken. Take inspiration from your favourite restaurants, memorable holiday meals or the desire to experiment with your new-found freedom. Most importantly, take the time to savour your success, and feel the benefits of nurturing yourself with the best of restorative nutrition.