The Healthy Eating Guide

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During the summer it is even more important that we keep hydrated if we are to remain healthy, but water on its own can get a bit boring.  I have a quick and simple remedy for that.  I often use just part of an orange, lemon or lime when I am cooking, leaving the other part just sitting there waiting to be used.  Invariably it ends up as a shrivelled, horrid thing lurking in the back of the fridge which makes me cross on two counts - one I forgot it was there, and two, it’s a dreadful waste.  My remedy is to chop up the part that remains and pop it in the freezer in a large box I keep there just for fruit slices.

When I want ice cubes for a drink I use some of the frozen citrus slices instead - it cools the drink and doesn’t dilute it.  You can also use the frozen slices to make your water more palatable.  Just put a jug of water in the fridge and add a few of the slices of fruit - when you want to quench your thirst just grab a glass of the lightly flavored water, you will find it more refreshing than just water and you can monitor how much you have drunk in the day quite easily at the same time.

Jelly is a much maligned pudding. We tend to think of it as something that only children eat. I love jelly - it is a lovely summer dessert which you can prepare so quickly and it keeps in the fridge for several days. You can even have it as a snack of you just want something quick and not too disastrous as far as following sensible healthy eating guidelines is concerned.

You can use any fruit that is available - I find it brilliant for using up fruit that might otherwise go to waste.

Ingredients:-

20 gms (¾oz) Powdered gelatine or a packet of sugar free jelly crystals
750 mls (25 fl ozs) unsweetened apple juice - or any juice of your choice
300 gms mixed fresh fruit of your choice

Method:-

Mix the gelatine with 75 ml (5 tbsps) of water in a heatproof bowl and leave it to soak for 5 minutes or so, or follow the directions if using a sugar free jelly. Put the bowl over a saucepan of gently simmering warm water until the gelatine dissolves. Remove from the heat and leave to cool for a few minutes before gradually stirring in the fruit juice. Mix well.

Prepare the fruit by peeling, coring, dicing etc into bite sized pieces or smaller. Divide amongst four individual dishes or place into one large mould as required.

Gently pour over the gelatine mixture and chill until set.

Serve with a spoonful of Greek or low-fat natural yoghurt.

Serves 4

We use lots of self-justification to explain why we are not eating a healthy diet, even though healthy eating guidelines are to be found everywhere. Perhaps the most common excuse is that we are just too busy and too stressed to think about choosing a whole pile of suitable foods to make one of those boring healthy eating recipes. Then we go and pick up a ready meal or fast-food as if to justify our lack of time abandoning all thoughts of healthier foods. This compounds the problem because these meals are generally full of saturated fats, sugar, salt and cholesterol. The good news is that even if you only have a very limited amount of time you can still eat healthily without spending all day in the kitchen. It just takes a bit of planning.

Food shopping is not the greatest of experiences, in fact most of us dash round the supermarket at break neck speed throwing all sorts into the trolley. To eat healthy you need good ingredients and that means shopping sensibly. Take a little time and plan your meals for the next couple of weeks, bearing in mind your work and social commitments. You need good quality ingredients to have a good diet so make sure you always buy the best you can afford and take advantage of Continue Reading »