Low-Calorie Recipes

Simply super Want to pack yourself full of the good stuff? Discover our favourite super foods as well as ideas for adding them to your everyday diet... From Atkins to alcohol free, it seems that every day brings with it yet another fad diet or detox program. With each one promising even greater results than its predecessor, the business of healthy living is highly competitive. There is however one eureka moment that has endured the test of time and united the opinions of nutritionists across the board: the discovery of super foods. These little gems are nutritionally dense, containing very high levels of vitamins and minerals, some of which our bodies crave, but can't produce independently.   Unfortunately, these miracle foods often come with enormous price tags and can be very impractical when it comes to cooking (you try incorporating an umeboshi plum or daikon radish into breakfast). Well, once again science has done all the hard work for us and revealed that many ord...

A fat lot of good fat Sort the good fat from the bad with our expert guide to eating a healthy, balanced diet... High-fat diets are often linked with major health problems including obesity and heart disease.  However, we all need some fat in our diet to stay healthy. Fat is a good energy source and vital for the body to absorb vitamins A, D, E and K. The confusing part is that not all fats were created equally - some are better for us than others. What's more, although high in calories, there is evidence that you could burn fat more quickly by changing the type you eat. So how can we get the balance right?   Choose... Monounsaturated oils - olive oil rather than sunflower oil for instance.   The right balance of 'omegas'. Linoleic acid (omega-6) and linolenic acid (omega-3) are types of polyunsaturated 'essential fatty acids' or EFAs. Foods containing omega-3 EFAs - vital for a healthy heart and good lung function, and found in oily fish, flaxs...

Healthy food kids will love It always feels great to watch your child polish off a healthy, home-cooked meal, so we've chosen our favourites for the whole family to enjoy together. Feeding children can be one of the most satisfying but also one of the most stressful parts of parenting – and it's not uncommon to get embroiled in a fearsome stand-off at mealtimes. So, to avoid the meltdowns, we've cooked up some sneaky ideas for giving kids the foods they love, packed full of the nutrients they need, from breakfast to dessert , with help from our nutritionist Kerry Torrens. Healthy food kids will love [toc heading_levels="3,4,5"] Make the best of breakfast It goes without saying, but setting your child up for the day with a healthy breakfast will make you both feel good. Something filling and fibrous should get the digestive system going, keep kids full until lunch and help sustain their concentration and mood . Try serving porridge with a side portion of blueberri...

How to use grains From brown rice to buckwheat - good-for-you grains are now widely available, but how do you put them to good use? Chrissy Freer, author of Supergrains, provides a handy guide to grains and how to use them... How to use grains [toc heading_levels="3,4,5"] 1. Quinoa Flavour characteristics... Mild, nutty, slightly bitter. Goes well with... Extremely versatile. Great with Middle Eastern spices, Mediterranean flavours, fresh herbs, citrus and even Asian flavours. Use in... Salads, pilafs, stuffings for meat or vegetables, soups, stews, porridge and desserts. 2. Amaranth Flavour characteristics... Herbaceous, grassy, sticky. Goes well with... Nuts, honey, chocolate and cinnamon. Mexican flavours such as chilli, paprika and corn. Use in... Porridge, salads, soups and stews (when combined with other grains). 3. Buckwheat Flavour characteristics... Earthy, dark, slightly meaty. Goes well with... Foods that have natural sweetness and/or saltiness such as miso, roast...

How to make healthier bakes Victoria Taylor, senior dietician at the British Heart Foundation (BHF), shares her tips for creating heart-healthy bakes, so you can have your cake and eat it… Baking doesn’t have to be bad for you, and healthy baking doesn’t have to taste, or look, terrible. Next time you’re in the kitchen, put these tips to the test and see if you can create something delicious and nutritious… [toc heading_levels="3,4,5"] Top tips for making your cakes healthier Often when you use healthier alternatives in recipes, the flavour or texture may differ. Keep an open mind, your tastebuds soon get used to the change and it is worth it when you reap the benefits! Just by making a few simple tweaks, you can make better-for-you bakes. Here are four tips to get you on your way: Start by using unsaturated oils like rapeseed and sunflower instead of saturated fats like butter and coconut. Not only does this lower the amount of saturated fat in your bake, but it gives a...

Top 10 tips for healthy Moroccan cooking - Celebrity chef Jenny Morris hails from South Africa and has recently embarked on a culinary adventure around Morocco for her Food Network series, Jenny Morris cooks Morocco. Here Jenny shares her top tips for keeping your home-cooked Moroccan fare authentic and healthy ... Top 10 tips for healthy Moroccan cooking [toc heading_levels="3,4,5"] 1. Chickpeas Chickpeas are not only a traditional Moroccan ingredient used in multiple dishes but they're also a great source of protein. In my experience the best method to cook them is to pre-soak and when they are swollen and hydrated, gently boil them. Divide the chickpeas into portions and freeze (for future use) before adding to meals.   2. Cumin Introduce cumin into your diet . Its benefits are numerous and varied. Not only does it add amazing flavour but when I travelled around Morocco many of the locals told me about its many health benefits. It is excellent for digestion, acts li...

Junie Kovacs is the founder and owner of creative Thai cookery school, Time For Lime, on the island of Koh Lanta, Thailand. Born in California, Junie built her reputation in Norway and has been teaching and cooking Thai cuisine for 19 years in both Asia and Europe. Here she shares her top tips for keeping your Thai food authentic and healthy ... Top 10 tips for healthy Thai cooking [toc heading_levels="3,4,5"] 1. Use fresh ingredients I believe most homemade food that tastes really special is made from scratch using fresh ingredients - and great Thai food is no exception. Many Thais still today do not own a fridge so will buy fresh produce on a daily basis at one of Thailand's many famous food markets. In the West, not everyone has an Asian shop on their doorstep but simply making the journey to your nearest supplier twice a year will keep you in fresh Thai flavours. Be sure to ask what day their fresh ingredients arrive from Thailand (it's the same day every week)...