GOURMET

HEALTHY EATING

WORDS: PHOTOGRAPHY

 

 

How many of you are aware that Joseph “ Jaws” Chestnut is a professional competitive eater who currently holds the world title in Major League Eating?

Who knew there was such a thing as a professional competitive eating circuit?

Riveting to know that “Jaws” won the title by consuming 70 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes. Well really. That equates to about 10 loaves of bread and just shy of 7kg. of meat eaten within 12 minutes. God bless America.

While we may not choose to emulate “Jaws” and his eating there is no doubt that modern food choices are a radical departure from the way we are intended to eat. I am neither a nutritionist nor a food scientist, simply a passionate chef with a major pre-occupation for health and wellbeing. My food journey has taken me to many countries in the world and I have gleaned a lot of tricks and ideas that may be of use to you should you choose to adopt them. I will not advocate any radical diets; rather introduce some simple points and options for healthier eating.

 

Most importantly food must taste good and be digestible. Different diets suit different people so find a diet that best suits you while allowing you to enjoy your meals in the company of other humans.

Be interested in food. Knowledge could be the best weight loss tool you have.  Allow a human to feed you rather than a corporation. Generally, corporation’s first objective is to make a profit whereas when humans cook for you taste and wellbeing are paramount.

Living foods contain lots of great enzymes. Create a home garden. If this is not possible then plant some herb pots. Try eating the flowering tips of herbs sprinkled through your salad or vegetables. These are the spark plugs for the body that can boost our immune system, enhance our thinking and even repair damaged cells.

Buy a water filter and drink as much water as you can. What’s wrong with soft drinks? Everything. They are usually loaded with high fructose corn syrup. Low calorie or no sugar drinks are even worse and replace sugar with synthetic chemicals. Either way brush them.

Learn some useful cooking techniques. Instead of boiling vegetables in water try steaming them instead. Fish, chicken and even some meats taste brilliantly when steamed. In addition you preserve more nutrients.

The less refined your oils (i.e. vegetable oil vs. cold pressed macadamia or olive oil) and salts (sea salt vs. iodized salt) are the better they are for you. Cook with ghee instead of vegetable oil. I love the stuff. Great flavour and ghee is a stable saturated fat that remains good after cooking on high heat.  Eat as close to nature as you can. Everything is available all year round in the fruit section however stick to what is in season and local. Organic, even better.

 

 

However, “fresh” is not always best. In fact, cold storage, old fruits and vegetables are not as good as the same picked and canned in their prime (with no added sugar, salt etc.). Shop every few days and keep your produce fresh.

Don’t buy activated nuts rather process them at home and save. Simply soak your nut of choice overnight then spread them evenly over an oven tray and bake for 18 hours with only the pilot light in your oven. Easy to digest and a great power snack for the kids. Almonds are the most nutritionally dense nuts, meaning they offer the highest concentration of nutrients per calorie per ounce.

Turmeric is considered to be one of the most powerful anti cancer ingredients on Earth. It is also great for surfers, footy players or anyone with old injuries.

Use it with black pepper for better absorption. It grows like ginger and can be sliced fresh into salads or cooked like you would ginger.

Seaweed is great for detoxifying heavy metals and radiation from the body. 

Spices. Many of them boost metabolism while simultaneously making some so-so dishes taste like they’re from a restaurant. Some examples: Mustard seeds will activate your metabolism. Ginger boosts blood circulation and is good for digestion. Garlic is a strong natural antibiotic.  Mint is great for digestive problems. Ginseng can boost your energy, and black pepper can help burn calories.

Don’t underestimate the power of cinnamon… it’s not just for baking. You can get weight loss benefits simply by adding more cinnamon to your diet. Just consuming a teaspoon a day will work. What causes the magic? It’s the way that cinnamon helps to regulate your blood glucose levels. These levels play a major part in whether you feel energetic or sluggish. Maintaining good blood sugar levels can also help crush cravings. So, sprinkle it over your porridge!

Acidic foods can increase the rate at which your body burns carbs. They can also give your metabolism a good boost, which can lead to weight loss. Apple cider vinegar and lemon juice in your sauces or dressings taste great. Rather than using crystal clear vinegar use one that looks murky. This is actually desired. It’s called the “mother,” which means it still contains beneficial probiotics. Eating half a grapefruit before a meal is also said to aid weight loss.

 

Apples offer the body many health benefits, including weight loss. That’s partly because apples are high in pectin, which binds with water and limits the amount of fat your cells can absorb. Additionally, apples are high in fiber, which makes you feel full for longer.

Although carbohydrates have developed a bad reputation, oats play a significant role in weight loss. That’s because they contain a good amount of fibre that slows digestion and helps you to feel fuller longer.

Kale. This rough and tough green beats out all the rest in terms of nutrition, providing maximum antioxidants. It’s also a fantastic source of fiber, calcium, and iron.

Every morning I drink a pot of green tea. I find it a relaxing way to start the day. In addition, it contains antioxidants that hinder the storage of belly fat and aids weight loss. Green tea helps speed up your liver’s ability to turn fat into energy.

Later in the day use sparkling water instead of tonic water in your G and T. Refreshing, alcoholic and way less calories.

We have never been more concerned with diet yet we have never eaten so badly en-mass. New diseases and food sensitivities are ever expanding.

Currently, there is much hype around expensive super foods promoted by the health food industry. However if you look further you’ll find your fridge and pantry are full of super foods (like the ones mentioned in this article) that outweigh those tiny $100 a kilo berries. 

 

The dish is called Vegetable Garden. 

It is explained, “Butter poached fish, swede puree, watercress emulsion, warrigal greens, asparagus, broad beans, garden peas, parsnip crisp and anchovy crumbs”. It is a new dish on our menu that celebrates Spring and Summer – come and try it!

Fins Rstaurant and Bar, 5/6 Bells Boulevard, Salt Village, South Kingscliff, NSW 2487.

 

Fins restaurant has always centred around a commitment to organic produce and the very best local, line caught fish and seafood. After 20 consecutive years of ‘Chefs Hats’ Fins owner and Celebrity chef Steven Snow has proudly achieved the ‘Most Sustainable Seafood restaurant 2015’, in the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide.

Read more on the website: http://www.fins.com.au