21 September 2012 ,12:20 Easy Meals: Baked Potatoes
 Whatever the low-carb enthusiasts tell you, there is nothing wrong with the simple spud. Of course, eat too many of them and you'll be racking up the kilojoules, but that's true of most food. The main problem with baked potatoes is the tendency to eat them covered in kilojoule laden toppings - butter, sour cream and cheese. Instead, why not make a healthier baked potato?

Choose smaller potatoes. Rather than eating one enormous spud and feeling stuffed at the end of the meal, choose one that's less super-sized. For most a potato about the size of a computer mouse is going to be plenty.

Top with a vegetable salsa. Get rid of the coleslaw or creamy dressings. Instead chop up a couple of tomatoes, half a small cucumber and grate in carrot or beetroot. Squeeze over some lemon juice and a dash of olive oil, and add some fresh herbs if you have them. Make this salsa the bulk of your potato topping.
 


Choose one or two extras. To spark up your potato choose a couple of extras from the following: capers, a spoon of hummous, canned lentils, some shredded chicken, a small tin of fish, chopped sundried tomatoes, or a poached egg.

Top with a lower fat cheese. Rather than grating over wedges of yellow cheese, use smaller amounts of the softer white cheeses. Fetta, a spoonful of ricotta, or even some cottage cheese are all beautiful on a baked potato.
 
Eating a baked potato this way is still a delicious meal, however it's a meal which also has plenty of vegetables, good quality protein and doesn't break the kilojoule bank.
 

What toppings do you put on baked potatoes?

23 July 2012 ,07:59 5 Tips for Going Gluten Free
 If you're contemplating going gluten free the idea can be daunting. However it is possible to eat beautiful, tasty, nutritious food and avoid gluten. While gluten is found in some dietary staples, most foods are naturally gluten free, meaning you actually have a vast array of flavours and textures to choose from.

If you're contemplating giving up gluten, here are my five tips:
 

1. Get diagnosed
 

Eating gluten free seems quite fashionable at the moment, however if you suspect a gluten problem see your doctor. Don't just assume and don't self diagnose. Get tested.
 

2. Know your enemy


Gluten is a protein in the grains wheat, oats, rye, barley and triticale, which means gluten is found in foods made from these ingredients. 
 

3. Concentrate on the foods you can eat

 
It's easy to feel overwhelmed when starting out, but remember most foods are naturally gluten free: meat, fish, potatoes, milk, vegetables, lentils, cheese, fruit, rice, corn, yoghurt, chickpeas, eggs, olives, avocado, nuts – all of these are completely gluten free. Add to these the gluten free grains like quinoa, polenta, millet, buckwheat and amaranth and you have a lot to choose from.
 

4. Start with a basic plan

 
When you first go gluten free keep it simple and focus on foods which are naturally gluten free. Whatever your taste buds, try to think up five different meals and stick to these for the first few weeks. It's too overwhelming to try and change everything at once.
 

5. Get information

 
To eat well and be healthy when gluten free you need information, but it also helps to have patience and a willingness to expand your food horizons. There are loads of on- and off-line resources which can help you. Do some googling and find trusted resources.  
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