The power of food

Nutritionist from around the world agree that the food we eat has an important effect in our health and vitality. From the moment of conception and throughout life, diet plays a crucial role in helping us maintain health and fitness. A healthy balanced diet can protect agains serious illness as cancer and heart disease, increase resistance to cold and other infections, boost energy levels, help combat the stress and also improve physical and mental performance.

Our body needs over 40 different nutrients to function and stay healthy. Some, such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats, are required in relatively large amounts (and they are called macronutrients). Others, such as vitamins are require in small amounts, but are nonetheless essential for health.

No single food or food group provide all the nutrients we need, which is why we need to eat a variety of different foods. Making sure your body gets all it needs is easier if you focus on foods that are nutrient rich (whole food) and dump those highly refined and processed foods that provide a lot of saturated fat, sugar, calories but not much else.

So learn how to choose wisely! Eating a diet that is healthy, varied and balanced should be your aim as the first step to change your lifestyle.

BANANA OAT PROTEIN CAKE (makes 12 slices)

Ingredients:

30g oats

1 tbsp chia seeds

1 tbsp flaxseeds

1 scoop whey protein (or 1/4 cup almond meal)

4 tbsp coconut flour (you can replace with almond meal too)

5g coconut sugar (or 2tbsp honey)

5 dates

1/2 cup pecans

2 bananas

2 eggs

1/2 cup skimmed milk

1 tsp cinnamon

1/8 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

Instructions:

Soak the dates in hot water for 15 minutes. Blend it with eggs, milk, coconut sugar or honey.

Blitz the oats+seeds+nuts into small pieces, not into a flour.

Add coconut flour, almond meal + whey protein.

Combine with the egg mix.

Add the mashed bananas, spices, baking soda and baking powder.

Grease a loaf tray with coconut oil. Bake at 180ºC for 40 minutes.

#healthybakings #glutenfree #bananabread #fitchef