My opinion is that modern day Western living is mainly to blame. As recently as 80 years ago we didn’t eat processed, packaged food – it was fresh, locally grown and in season. The amount of hidden sugar in our current diet is astounding with the average Australian consuming almost 20 teaspoons every single day.
Start by reading all food labels and go by my number 1 rule – if sugar, or any other word that means sugar is in the first three ingredients then don’t eat it! Sugar is also called honey, sucrose, glucose, fructose, lactose, golden syrup, dextrose, fruit-juice concentrate, malt, malt extract, maltose, treacle, corn syrup, molasses, and palm sugar.
This week’s menu plan will focus on healthy low glycemic index foods, plenty of fibre, low sugar, steady protein and the right type of complex carbs.
Monday
Breakfast: 1 cup Bircher muesli with berries, 2 tbsp natural yoghurt and 1 tsp chia seeds
Lunch : Zucchini frittata with a green salad
Dinner: 120gr grilled lamb with quinoa tabouli
Snacks: 2 ryvitas with ricotta and sprinkle cinnamon
Drinks: Hot water with lemon
Health notes: Chia seeds contain a high level of water soluble fibre which slows the rate of glucose entering the bloodstream
Tuesday
Breakfast: 1 cup untoasted muesli with berries, 1 tsp chia seeds and almond milk
Lunch: Salad of rocket, grilled pumpkin, goats cheese and toasted walnuts
Dinner: 120gr grilled chicken with steamed asparagus and snow peas
Snacks: Small handful of pumpkin seeds & 8 almonds
Drinks: 1 cup miso soup
Health notes: Never eat toasted muesli as it is generally loaded with sugar. I use a combination of coconut oil and stevia to coat my home made muesli and then bake it on low heat
Wednesday
Breakfast: Smoked salmon and avocado on 1 piece rye toast
Lunch: Wrap with 95gr canned tuna, lettuce, cucumber and fresh herbs
Dinner: Bean & pumpkin casserole with ½ cup brown or wild rice
Snacks: Air popped pop corn
Drinks: Lemongrass tea
Health notes: Add fresh herbs as much as you can to your foods as they are packed full of energy giving B vitamins
Thursday
Breakfast: 2 poached eggs with sautéed spinach and mushrooms
Lunch: Salad of cos lettuce, grated carrot, grated beetroot, cucumbers and 100gr canned 3 bean mix
Dinner: 150gr grilled snapper with mushrooms, carrots & broccoli sprinkled with cayenne pepper
Snacks: Celery with 1 tbsp ABC spread
Drinks: 200ml warm almond milk with a pinch of cinnamon
Health notes: ABC spread is a nutrient dense combination of almonds, brazils and cashews. It is high in protein and fibre
Friday
Breakfast: 1 cup seasonal fruit with 2 tbsp natural yoghurt mixed with 1 teaspoon chia seeds
Lunch: 3 rice paper rolls with salmon, vegetables and rice noodles
Dinner: 2 organic lamb sausages with steamed vegetables and sweet potato mash
Snacks: 1 apple with 10 cashews
Drinks: Green tea
Health notes: Green tea has less caffeine and more antioxidants than coffee
Saturday
Breakfast: 2 egg omelette with tomato and parsley
Lunch: Smoothie with 1 cup almond milk, 1 tbsp natural yoghurt, 1 tsp chia seeds, ¼ tsp cinnamon, 1 banana
Dinner: Vegetable stir fry with tofu marinated in tamari & fresh ginger
Snacks: ¼ avocado and 2 corn thins
Drinks: 150ml carrot, celery, mint, parsley juice
Health notes: Recent research has shown that Cinnamon improves blood sugar control
Sunday
Breakfast: ½ cup cinnamon stewed fruit with quinoa puffs and almond milk
Lunch: Homemade pizza on whole meal pita bread with broccoli, sun dried tomatoes, cheese, zucchini & garlic
Dinner: 2 cups of chicken & vegetable soup
Snacks: 5 brazil nuts and 1 orange
Drinks: Licorice tea – naturally sweet and tasty
Health notes: Quinoa has more protein than wheat and is a much healthier alternative
What a great lot of recipes and interesting variety learnt a lot of new facts as well which will be very useful