Healthier Eating

Notice that I call this section "healthier" eating as opposed to "healthy"! It is that time of the year when everyone joins the gym, eats nothing and tries to get slim and trim for when spring arrives. Not only that, everyone has spent all their money over Christmas and is looking for not only healthier food, but budget busting too!

The good news is that there are a lot of good recipes out there for a healthier lifestyle, but I am not one for counting calories and creating an industry out of trying to lose a few pounds. My ideas are certainly a bit healthier and a little lower in calorific value but I maintain that eating slightly healthier, padded out with plenty of fruit and a little exercise will lead to a moderate weight loss in time for Easter!

Make sure you always have a windowsill full of fresh herbs (I cannot live without a constant supply of coriander, parsley and basil) as well as a good supply of garlic, ginger and fresh chillies! You can't go wrong if you have all of these on hand. Invest in some wholemeal pasta instead of white pasta - the flavour is nicer and the texture is a little heartier. Try to pad your meals out with plenty of fresh vegetables and cut down on the amount of potatoes, bread and sugar you eat (but don't cut it out altogether - you will cave in and fail!!).

So, here are some recipes and suggestions to whet your appetite.

For lighter lunches or starters you really cannot go wrong with homemade soup - any type! Lots of fresh ingredients, low in fat (and cheap to make!). There are many recipes on the internet as well as a couple of mine on this website. Roasted peppers are a good option - try Delia's peppers stuffed with tomato, basil and anchovy. Prawn cocktail could be made with a lower fat mayo and more lettuce!

Oriental Salmon. This is great either as a family meal or could even be served up at a dinner party. You need to buy a whole side of salmon (go to the fish counter at any supermarket) marinade for a couple of hours and cook for 20 mins. Couldn't be easier!

Pork Teriyaki. Nice and easy, but delicious nonetheless! I love this served with pak choi and stir fried noodles brimming with lots of crunchy healthy matchstick vegetables.

Try making a good homemade tomato sauce, tipping in a few fresh prawns, garnishing with parsley and serving with wholemeal spaghetti. This is great and nice and filling.

Ratatouille is a great dish to pad out an evening meal. There are lots of recipes on the internet, but always remember to add a little sugar to the sauce to soften the acidity of the tomato. This could be a meal in itself if you want to add bacon and serve with some crusty bread.

My weakness is mashed potato with lashings of butter and cream, but this is not good at this time of year! A good alternative (and a little healthier) are home made potato wedges. The children love them and they are incredibly easy to make. Get some good waxy potatoes, slice into wedge shapes, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with some salt, pepper and hot paprika and bake in a hot oven (180°) for at least 45 minutes or until browned.

Happy eating and getting fit!