We asked four experts on nutritionist what does “healthy food” mean to them:
Everyone has their own view about what healthy means. For some people, healthy eating is low calories, for others, it’s low sugar, no sugar, organic, low fat, high protein, vegetarian, vegan, raw, keto, etc. There are all sorts of diets. Unfortunately, also, quite often, healthy is used in a sense of “not tasty”.
So, today we’ve asked three experts on nutrition what does healthy food mean to them and they even shared with us their favourite healthy meals.
Rachel Alderson, Registered Nutritional Therapist (MBANT, CNHC) and Health Coach:
“Healthy food is about whole foods, foods you recognise and which contain ingredients you understand. It has little or no sugar, though maybe some natural sweeteners like dates or beetroot (amazingly!).
Organic is great to avoid the pesticides and other chemicals our bodies may find difficult to process and excrete.
Putting together a healthy meal includes protein (vegetable or animal sources), healthy fats (such as oily fish, avocados, olive oil, nuts and seeds) and a variety of colourful vegetables (for the range of vitamins and minerals they contain). Follow-up with a piece of whole fruit to satisfy any sweet craving. This combination keeps us fuller for longer and gives us longer-lasting energy to get through the day.
Healthy food is tasty food, where you can taste the real flavours coming through.
My favourite healthy meal is simple to make:
- Roast salmon fillet
- squeeze on a little lemon juice plus salt and pepper before cooking,
- roast cherry tomatoes,
- steamed kale plus some brown basmati rice if I’m feeling particularly hungry. Try it!
Leonie Wright is a nutrition coach. Since May 2010 she runs her own business – EatWright, in which she helps women over 40 to reach the optimum in their health, fitness and waistline with the help of the EatWright Plan.
Leonie is a firm believer that we are what we eat and that nourishing ourselves with nature’s food is the key to enhancing our health, vitality and state of mind. Our bodies can heal themselves if given the right foods. This, in turn, generates positive aspects in other areas of our lives.
She recommends eating foods that your grandmother will recognise. If a product has more than 3 ingredients; don’t buy it.
Ideally, we would eat:
- 1/3 healthy carbohydrates, these are are the vegetables and fruit (8 portions of vegetables and 2-3 pieces of fruit a day),
- 1/3 protein like fish, poultry, occasionally red meat,
- and 1/3 good fats such as extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, nuts, seeds, grass-fed butter and avocado.
Furthermore, everyone should drink 2-2 1/2 litre clean water, exercise every day either a 45-minute walk or 3 HIT (High-Intensity Training) exercises and get 8 hours of sleep a night.
Deborah McTaggart is a registered holistic nutritionist in Barnes, South West London.
Georgina Robertson is a West London based Registered Nutritional Therapist specialising in women’s health.
“Healthy food means a balanced diet from quality protein, good fats, slow releasing carbohydrates, fibre and vitamins and minerals that results in good gut function, consistent energy levels, robust immune and cardiovascular systems, efficient detoxification and balanced mood to enable someone to enjoy their life to its maximum and achieve their goals without symptoms as well as to prevent conditions or illness developing.
This recipe for three ingredients pancakes is one of my favourites because it literally takes a minute to prepare and a minute to cook. Being gluten- and dairy-free these pancakes are all round healthy and nourishing.
Three ingredients pancakes (for two people):
- 1 banana
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup oats
Blend until smooth and fry in rapeseed or coconut oil. You can add cacao or blueberries to the three ingredients, or mix up the toppings with different nut butter, seeds or fruit.”