Low-fat, low-calorie, meat-free lasagne - perfect for cold winter nights!

This low-calorie high-protein vegetarian dish is ideal for the week's healthy meal prep.

Let them eat....no fat low sugar blueberry and lemon cake!

Ok, 1g of fat per slice but don't be petty and just enjoy the delicious low calorie treat!

 

How I discovered that not all calories are equal

We’re all familiar with the word: CALORIE, the measurement of energy content of food.  It’s rather hard to escape:

·         It’s on the packaging of most of the food products we buy in the supermarkets. 

·         It’s on the menus in our favourite restaurants. 

·         Even the fast food chains have hopped on board for a while now. 

All I knew was that if I consumed more than my body needed, the excess would be stored as fat.  It certainly was…. 😂

So it seemed simple enough: consume less calorie, lose fat.

I downloaded My Fitness Pal, I entered my details and I stuck rigidly to the calories given.  It worked for a while: I lost fat and weight (trust me, they’re not the same…).  But soon I was constantly hungry and tired with thinning hair and bad skin.

It took me a while to realise that was because I fitting my existing eating habits into my calorie allowance.  It was not sustainable at all. 😩

It was only when I discovered volume eating (post coming soon...) that I realised not all calories are equal.  For example, swapping a pack of crisps for celery and cream cheese or a KitKat for an apple and almond butter dip meant that I could still enjoy savoury or sweet snacks with food of similar calories but a much higher nutritional value and satiation. 😁😋

By all means, enjoy the crisps and sweets on occasion.  I still do when the cravings kick in. ;-) My point is that, our body needs good quality fuel for its maintenance.  If a car is regularly topped up with low grade fuel, in the long term there will be engine damage and emission problems.  Fortunately, we can always buy a new car but since we cannot buy a new body, so let’s take good care of the one we have. 😘

Healthy tuna melt - quick, easy, cheap and high in protein - the perfect weekend lunch!

 

I love this type of low maintenance lunch with the low calorie, low cost and high nutritional content. 😉

You just need:

• 2 slices of medium-sliced bread
• 1 slice of low fat cheese 
• 1 can of tuna in brine
• 1 stick of chopped celery - to mix in with the tuna for bulk
• 1 handful of watercress on the side

Suggestions:

Of course, feel free to swap, add or remove ingredients.  You do you! 😀

Nutritional value:

354 kcal

Protein: 38g - Carb: 36g - Fat: 6g

Healthy vegetarian cottage pie - perfect for cold winter nights!

This low calorie, low fat, high protein cottage pie is perfect for January's healthier eating plans.  And as a bulk recipe, you're saving time and money too! 

A tasty pre-workout snack....or another delicious low-calorie dessert ...ssshhhh!

This low-calorie dessert also works well as a pre-workout snack....it really does...😋😉

Super-easy low-calorie coffee and walnut cake!

If you're 'being good' this January, this coffee and walnut loaf cake is perfect for that sweet tooth craving but still low enough in calories to fit in with your healthier diet.

Weekend brunch: quick, easy, healthy and balanced

It's the weekend, we've enjoyed a lie in and now we need to fuel up before starting the day.  If it's an especially busy day, here is a healthy all-rounder that will keep you full for hours.  And very quick and easy to make too!

Just don't do what I did and break the yolk by trying to push it to the centre to make it look even and pretty...😅

Quick, cheap, easy and filling winter meal

Let's face it, January is a miserable month but our meals don't have to be.  Enjoy this simple, low-cost and healthy comfort food anytime of the day or week.  The high fibre/protein content will curb any post-meal cravings and keep you full for ages.

Chocolaty, full of fibre and free from refined sugar: try these veganuary brownies!

These are the easiest and quickest brownies I have ever made.  I had these for dessert with strawberries and sprinkled with cinnamon:

Vegan pre-workout snack: sourdough toast, almond butter and banana

 It's January, we've made our resolutions, we've subscribed to the gym and we're very keen. 😜

Here is a tasty pre-workout snack to help us power through! 💪

Ingredients:

• 2 slices of sourdough bread - toasted
• 15g almond butter 
• 1 banana
• Powdered cinnamon 

Nutrition:

375 kcal

Protein: 12g - Carb: 60g - Fat: 10g

Tips: 

• Sourdough has a higher protein content than white bread

Midweek dinner - quick and easy veggie pizza

Halfway through the first week of the year....Too tired to cook but still fancy something nice, easy and very affordable?  Say no more!

Beating those holiday blues with a tasty nutrient-packed soup

Packed with vitamins C & B6, potassium and magnesium, this quick and easy to make hearty soup will warm and brighten up those post New Year days. 

High protein meals - taking advantage of post Christmas supermarket deals

 I went into Sainsbury's the day before New Year's Eve and  took advantage of the discount on their fish selection for my weekly meal prep.  These lovely Sea Bass fillets were half their usual price and very quick and easy to make.

Last time I made these, I served them with mash and steamed spinach.  This time I plan on serving these with some potato salad that my lovely sister-in-law made and some cherry tomatoes. Nom nom! 😋

Swapping Terry's Chocolate Orange for a Clementine Chocolate Porridge Bowl - Happy New Year!!!

We've partied, we've seen out the old year and now it's time to re-fuel with some vitamin C to keep the colds at bay.  So, why not make the most of  sales on leftover clementines at the local supermarkets?😁

TIP: If your New Year resolution is hitting the gym hard in January, why not add 50g 0% fat skyr to the mix for some extra protein 😉