Detox your fridge for 2017
At healthy, our mantra is ‘health and happiness’ – so rather than unrealistic (and downright unhealthy) aims like ‘drop 20 pounds in a month’, we’re interested in small, manageable changes that make a lasting impact. As 2017 dawns, we love this brilliant advice from Lily Simpson, founder of Detox Kitchen, on how clearing out your fridge can shake up your diet.
READ MORE: how to make feel-good salmon fish fingers
The straightforward guide identifies what you should clear out from your fridge, in order to help you eat a more balanced, nutritious diet:
Orange juice
‘While you might be under the impression that glugging a whole carton of orange juice will have you glowing with health, the truth is that the sugar and calories in juice are comparable to any other type of soft drink, and can wreak havoc on your blood sugar levels. The other problem with shop bought juice is that the longer you leave a juice, the less its nutritional impact will be, because water-soluble vitamins soon start to become depleted (this applies to pressed juices you buy on the go, too). Instead, stick to one glass of juice or smoothie a day, as a nutrient booster rather than a meal replacement. Always drink juice as soon as it has been pressed to ensure that you benefit from the nutrients. Also, keep your fridge stocked with plenty of fruit and veg to whizz up in the morning. We like to juice our fruit and veg then add a handful of spinach or kale and blitz.’
Table salt
‘The key to any delicious dish is good seasoning, and when it comes to salt, buy the best quality you can afford. Ordinary table salt contains an anti-caking agent and may be iodised, whilst cheap sea salts may have been chemically cleaned, which can make your dish taste of chemicals. Instead go for: We use Maldon sea salt in cooking because of its light, clean flavour and soft, flaky texture.’
Cereal
‘Supermarket cereals are often marketed as and assumed to be a healthy option, however in most cases the cereal is packed with added sugar. Looking at one of the UK’s most loved cereal brand’s latest granola product, advertised as being straight from the farm and a healthy breakfast option, per 100g the cereal contains 28g of sugar. To put this into perspective, our homemade granola contains just 4g of sugar per 100g serving, the sugar coming only from raisins. Instead go for: Try making your own breakfast cereal, using sweet spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg for flavour. We like to pair our granola with rice milk, which is naturally sweet, and compliments the granola perfectly.’
READ MORE: How to make a smoothie bowl
Processed meat
‘At the Detox Kitchen we completely avoid processed meats, think sausages, processed burgers and sandwich meats. This is because more often than not, poor quality meat is used, and added sugar and salt are mixed in. Instead opt for lean white meats (chicken and turkey) and fish. Most of our meat recipes use chicken or turkey breast, not only is breast meat robust enough to take on big, bold flavours, but it offers great versatility in cooking – from grilling to roasting, to pan-frying or stewing. It’s also important to be mindful of the animals you are eating. It is proven that the healthier the animal the healthier the meat.’
What else would you ban from your fridge for new year? Tweet us or tag us on Facebook and Instagram – we love to hear from you!
