January is the month of endless ‘fad’ diets, making ridiculous promises like ‘Lose a stone in 2 weeks’. However, these diets often promote unnaturally quick weight loss, which can have detrimental effects on your health in the long run – including skin problems, cognitive impairment and decreased fertility.
I think it’s better to take a less drastic approach and make small adjustments, such as swapping some of the more guilty options to low fat and reduced carbohydrate options, whilst making sure that your calorie intake is still sufficient. So I have sourced some easy and nourishing recipes from an upcoming blogger known as Deliciously Ella, who has embodied the word diet in an innovative light.
They say you’re supposed to eat like a King for breakfast – so I believe that you can go ‘all out’ on this meal, as long as it’s full of nourishing ingredients.
These mango pancakes are the perfect meal to set you up for an active day, and are also ideal for those who require gluten free food!
What you need:
· 2 ripe bananas (270g)
· 4 slices of mango (180g)
· 1 cup of blueberries (150g)
· 1 and a 1/2 cups of oats (240g)
· 3 tablespoons of low fat butter
· 2 cups of water
· a pinch of salt
Method:
· Blend the bananas, mango, oats, butter, water and salt together until the mixture is smooth.
· Gently stir in the blueberries and wait 5 minutes to allow the oats to absorb some of the liquid.
· On a heated pan place a heaped spoonful of mixture into the middle and cook for about 2 minutes on each side, making sure the mixture is firm before you flip them!
Serve with fresh mango and blueberries.
Snacking can often be a downfall for students, especially when revision or essay deadlines are looming.
These Raw Coconut Bites are the perfect answer to any sweet tooth and as they can be kept refrigerated for up to 7 days they can be prepared well in advance of a busy week of lectures!
What you need:
· 1 cup of desiccated coconut
· 1 cup of crushed almonds
· 1/2 a dozen raisins
· 4 tablespoons of low fat butter
· 2 tablespoons of raw cacao
· 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
Method:
· Blend the almonds and coconut together for 2 – 3 minutes, and then add the butter, oil and cacao. Once combined slowly add in the raisins.
· Once the ingredients have formed a sticky mixture, roll into individual balls, cover in more coconut and then refrigerate until they have firmed.
Vegetables are a crucial part of achieving a balanced diet. Your main meal of the day gives you the perfect opportunity to reach your 5-a-day and to obtain necessary vitamins.
This winter warming curry is not only rich in fibre but also in taste, and as its main ingredient is sweet potato (which is high in Vitamins C and D) you’ll be helping to support your immune system.
What you need:
· 2 large sweet potatoes
· 2 cups of black olives
· 1 and a 1/2 cups of lentils (500g)
· 2 cans of coconut milk
· 2 cans of tinned tomatoes
· 1 tablespoon of turmeric
· 1 tablespoon of cumin
· 1 tablespoon of ground ginger
· salt and pepper
· 1 lemon (optional)
Method:
· Pre-heat your over to 180C
· Chop the sweet potato into bite-sized pieces. Then place the coconut milk, tomatoes, turmeric, cumin and ground ginger in a large saucepan and gently heat until the mixture begins to bubble.
· Add in the sweet potato, lentils, olives and season to taste with the salt and pepper.
· Cover and place it in the oven to cook for around an hour until the potatoes are soft.
Serve with rice and a naan bread!
For more low-fat, gluten and dairy free recipes you can download Ella’s app: ‘Deliciously Ella’.
Sources
http://deliciouslyella.com/recipe/sweet-potato-lentil-and-coconut-curry/
http://deliciouslyella.com/recipe/ten-minute-mango-pancakes/
http://deliciouslyella.com/recipe/raw-coconut-and-cacao-bites-vegan/
Edited by Sam Carey