Are you always hungry, like us? Are you trying to get fitter this year, like us? Are you secretly envious of that colleague who wolfs down food yet doesn’t put on a kilo, like us? Are you sick of hearing your trainer telling you to cut down your calorie intake, like us? Well then, you’ve come to the right place to tick off all your health goals for 2017; without going hungry!
After weeks of research & conversations with the best nutritionists in the world (our mums), here’s your go-to shopping list of things you need to load your diet with, which we promise will boost your energy levels and provide the right kind of calories to keep Mr. Metabolism chugging right along.
Include these 7 easily-available food items in your grocery list and watch those abs carve their way through that annoying muffin-top.
SPINACH
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Popeye was onto something big. This leafy green is a powerpacker of iron, potassium, protein and fibre. Keeps the body-bugger constipation away and is great for falling hair & brittle nails. The quickest way to flatten a stubborn stomach is to include this (lettuce and kale) as a dinner side to ease water retention & bloating.
DSSC Recipe Tip: 3 breakfasts a week, try this: 2 boiled eggs with a slice of multigrain toast with a hummus/almond butter spread and this smoothie: Blend 1 cup of spinach, 1 cup of seasonal strawberries, pinch of cinnamon, yoghurt and a dash of honey.
APPLES
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Make this fruit your new bestie – full of filling fibre & antioxidants, this is the ideal on-the-go low-calorie snack. Wash it well, but have it with the skin as that’s where all the nutrients are packed in. Apples are known to decrease the risk of heart disease, obesity and blood pressure. An apple a day… yeap you know it!
DSSC Recipe Tip: If you have a sweet tooth (like us), chop up an apple, add a dash of cinnamon, honey, lime and pop it into the microwave for 2 minutes.
FLAX SEEDS
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These gluten-free kernels punch big and are packed with good-for-you fats. Being one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet, flax seeds are high on Omega 3 fatty acids, fiber and a whole lot of minerals. Known to aid weight loss, lowers cholesterol, fights cancer and menopausal symptoms.
DSSC Recipe Tip: Next time you’re baking banana bread or lemon cake, sprinkle them atop for crunch and feel-good nutrients. Even better, have one teaspoon of ground flax seeds with a warm glass of water every morning.
OATS
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This complex carb is exactly what you should kickstart your day with and is known to be one of the healthiest grains on earth. They’re gluten-free and aid weight loss, lower blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. This humble breakfast addition in a porridge form can be made exciting with toppings of nuts, berries and cinnamon or even rolled into Sunday pancakes.
DSSC Recipe Tip: If you fancy a desi brekkie, swap sooji (semolina) for oats in your vegetable upma. Serve with a side of coconut chutney and whole lotta smiles.
EGGS
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The humble & inexpensive egg has impressive health credentials! Packed with protein, Vitamin D, B6 and B12, this versatile cooking ingredient keeps you fuller for longer. Pop it into a post-workout smoothie, poach it and drop it into your ramen, boil it and snack on it with rock salt and freshly ground pepper – the variants are endless.
DSSC Recipe Tip: Make sure the egg is straight out of the fridge and don’t forget to add a splash of white vinegar & a pinch of salt when creating a gentle whirlpool in the simmering water to poach it.
AVOCADO
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The buzz around this miracle food refuses to die down, and for good reason. Loaded with more potassium than bananas, this cholesterol-fighting fruit is loaded with healthy monounsaturated fatty acids i.e. the good fat. Our one piece of advice, exercise portion control as this fruit is calorie-rich.
DSSC Recipe Tip: Thanks to it’s creamy texture, this is a great substitute for dessert. Blend with cocoa, brown sugar and vanilla extract and enjoy after it being chilled for a couple of hours.
QUINOA
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This complete protein is a great alternative to wheat & rice and is loaded with protein and calcium. Being the least allergenic in the grain family, this is a blessing for vegans around the globe trying to up their protein intake. This simple 8-minute boiled grain is a great base for salads and wraps, and can also be used as a substitute to rice on the dal chawal night.
DSSC Recipe Tip: Add flavour to quinoa by cooking in broth infused with spices & herbs. Make a quick salad by tossing together with cherry tomatoes and chives for a light & healthy meal.
