Kitchen Monkey

14 March 2008

Life in the Fast Lane!!!

Eating well and cooking for yourself may feel like the last thing you want to do after a long day at work or college. But eating healthily doesn’t have to take loads of time or cost loads of money which is our philosophy at www.kitchenmonkey.co.uk

Eating a healthy diet will give your body what it needs to help you keep up with your hectic lifestyle while helping to keep you fit & healthy both inside and out.

It is recommended that we eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables a day, together these will give you both vitamins and minerals. Many are high in folate, vitamin C and potassium. Both fruit and vegetables are a great source of fibre and antioxidants which are all important for your health.

Did you know?
- Red & Yellow peppers have 4 times as much vitamin C as a orange
- Curly kale, okra and spinach are the richest vegetable sources of calcium
- Tomatoes are a fruit rather than a vegetable in botanical terms
- A small can of kidney beans counts as 1 portion of your daily 5 a day
- Zinc helps the body heal wounds, so if you suffer with spots for instance eating foods rich in zinc helps to heal the skin, such as green vegetables, beans, pulses, figs and dried apricots all provide useful amounts
- Eating foods that are naturally high in vitamin C can give your tired body a boost, for example oranges, grapefruits, kiwis & strawberries. You can even make a juice or smoothie for a boost from these fruits and do not forget tomato juice instead of orange juice for a change.
- If you have been working long hours or just burning the candle at both ends this can potentially mess up your body clock leaving you shattered you could give yourself energy both with food which release energy gradually like bananas, dried fruits like raisins, dried apricots al supply a steady supply of sugar.
- High sugar foods give you a quick blood sugar rush but this is followed by a crash which makes you energy slump. Bananas help satisfy a craving for sweet foods, to use up overripe food add them to a smoothie to use up your fruit.
- Remember being told as a child that carrots help you see in the dark, this is true they are a good source of beta carotene which our bodies turn into vitamin A and this vitamin is important for night vision.
- B vitamins are required for energy production, keeping the brain, nerves, blood and muscles functioning and skin and nails and hair healthy. Some of the B vitamins are found in peas, beans, bananas, lentils and leafy greens

What actually counts towards our 5 a day?
- Frozen, fresh, tinned, 100% juice and dried fruit and vegetables
- 1 portion of fruit is for example 1 medium apple, banana, orange or pear or 2 small Satsuma’s or even 3 dried apricots
- 1 portion of vegetables is for example 3 heaped tablespoons of cooked vegetables like carrots, peas, sweetcorn or a bowl of salad
- A medium size glass of 100% fruit juice, smoothie or vegetable juice counts as 1 a day
- Potatoes do not count as they are classed as starchy food like pasta and rice also
- Fruit and vegetables in ready meals can count towards your 5 a day

Interesting hey, obviously I would expect you as foodies to know some of these facts but there may be a few you a not aware of or clarify some areas for you I hope, Keep reading I have lots more to tell you and more stories too.

Do not forget to keep sending me your comments we had some fantastic responses and comments so far so many thanks and keep up the good work.