We are at the end of January already, and there are many of us made who made new year resolutions and commitments to eat better. We should make use of this time to reboot but more importantly to do so nutritionally.
Boschendal at Oude Bank’s junior sous chef Jessica Holloway enjoys directing people in the right direction with wholesome eating tips that are practical and won’t put a damper on your budget. Holloway has adopted the ethos of Oude Banks of ethical food production. Her dedication to developing wholesome recipes that cater for the entire family speaks volumes of the shop’s philosophy of supplying “real” food that delivers on flavour and nutrition.
“People can sometimes forget what ‘wholesome’ can mean, to me, it means more than adding much-needed nutrients to your body. You should also savour every bite, and feel good about what you have put into your body. Eating fast (junk) food may be similarly satisfying, but often results in regret,” Holloway said.
Holloway recommends an easy nutritional option to kick-start your day, the farm’s carrot, ginger and pineapple juice.
Your number one pantry essential: Stock up on mixed toasted seeds. “It’s a great accompaniment to granola bowls, salads and cooked food,” she said. In addition to adding to your daily requirements of fatty and amino acids, it adds a pleasing texture to your meal. It also adds an extra cozy layer to summery, ‘thin’ dishes.
Snack smart: “Cheese doesn’t get enough credit,” she said. A slice or bite-size block can compensate for a protein and calcium-rich snack. It’s a quick fix that adds to a feeling of satiety and is likely to withhold you from reaching for a sugary treat.
Keep it fresh: Swop over-refined, packaged food for fresh, raw items that are quick to prepare either for chopping or steaming. Make it easily accessible from your kitchen cupboards and fridge so it’s quick to add to your lunch box, or pick on when lounging around at home. Stock up on bite and pocket-sized produce such as boiled eggs, raw unsalted nuts and berries.
Baby steps: Don’t try over exceeding your own expectations by doing too much too soon. Allow yourself to gradually start following a balanced, naturally wholesome eating routine by swopping out heavy carbohydrates or sugar-laden items with unprocessed, fresh items one week at a time.
Tight budget?: Don’t let healthy eating prices scare you. In today’s economy, it’s seldom that groceries become more affordable. But, more nutritious, costly products can help ward off unnecessary cravings that usually result in buying a large number of cheap, empty-kilojoule products. This will likely cancel out your budget strategy anyway. Rather invest time in researching foods that match your ‘better eating’ goals, and try keeping with a regular checklist of items.
