How to Live Healthier with Danijela Unkovich of Healthy Always
Danijela Unkovich has been a favorite of mine for years.The New Zealand native, who works as a nutritionist at a care and protection facility for children, struggled with her health for years before she decided it was time to take control and lead a healthier lifestyle. Today, she’s inspiring people around the world with her healthy recipes that are both nutritious and delicious via her Instagram (@healthyalways).
I’ve been following Danijela for years, and she has become my go-to for healthy, delicious recipes. Looking at her now, you would never guess that Danijela previously suffered from a condition called New Daily Persistent Headache syndrome, which results in ongoing tension-type headaches. “I was studying at the time and between that, the headaches, work and other commitments, I wasn’t able to keep up. I really began to struggle with keeping a good frame of mind,” she recalls. And thus, @healthyalways was born.
“After a while, it became clear I couldn’t remain how I was feeling, so I created an Instagram account as a way to motivate myself and hold myself accountable for my health. Healthy Always then became a positive affirmation of sorts.” This “positive affirmation” is now reaching and inspiring over 100,000 people across the globe, and it’s easy to see why she’s so popular – her recipes looks bomb! Danijela credits her European background for her love of and respect for food, saying, “I’m a total foodie, as well as a health nut, which aids creativity in the kitchen,” she says. “I particularly love taking familiar sweet treats and giving them a healthy spin – it’s neat when a recipe is both super delicious, while still nourishing for the body.”
Some perfect examples would be her Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups, or Danijela’s personal favorite, her Fig and Honey Bliss Balls. “The combination of flavors is just lovely and they’re a nourishing snack, packed with healthy fats and dietary fiber,” she says.
​
One of the many reasons why I love Danijela is her refusal to use the dreaded D word, “The word diet is often associated with restriction around foods, or something that’s short-term. I motivate my clients to see their health journey as a lifestyle rather than a diet,” she explains.
​
Armed with a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Physiology, as well as being an ISAK Level 1 Anthropometrist, you can rest assured Danijela knows what she’s talking about. “Be mindful when taking on board health advice or recommendations. Health and nutritional knowledge are really accessible these days, which is fantastic, but it’s important to check the source before taking it on board,” Danijela advises. “Ask yourself, is the author reliable? Does the statement have any evidence backing it? What are the qualifications of the individual giving the advice? It’s good to be open and willing to try new things, but it can also pay to practice caution.”
​
And when it comes to things like juice cleanses, “tea-toxes” and meal replacement supplements, Danijela says that such fads are some of the biggest mistakes people are making for their health. “I always discourage dietary fads or anything too restrictive, as they’re often not sustainable. I think it’s really important to keep things as easy and realistic as possible.”
When she’s not busy creating new recipes or looking after her blog and Instagram account, Danijela is a nutritionist at a care and protection facility for children.
​
Working as the facility’s onsite nutritionist for children who are unable to live with their families, Danijela provides ongoing nutritional advice and support while running a food education program. “The food education program has been a real highlight of the job. We’ve set up an onsite organic garden, and carry out weekly gardening and cooking lessons with the children using produce that we grow ourselves,” she explains. “We dedicate a large portion of our time to our work, so it’s important to enjoy what we do.”
​
In her spare time, Danijela is either cooking, baking or practicing yoga, a new hobby that she’s fallen in love with, “When I get in the zone during practice, it’s so lovely and meditative. It’s been really balancing for my body and mind.”
Check out Danijela’s Instagram @healthyalways and head over to her blog www.healthyalways.co.nz.