Spring Clean Your Kitchen - and Your Body

Contributed by Eve Persak, Nutrition Advisor, MS RD CNSC CSSD

The new year always comes with new resolutions – promises to maintain a tidy, spotless house, start eating clean, lose that extra pound or two, or just stop feeling lethargic all the time.

What if you could achieve two - or more - of these goals by simply clearing out the heart of your home – your kitchen? You could, with SuperNature’s in-house nutritionist, Eve Persak.

Comprising an indepth nutritional consultation followed by a two-hour home kitchen review by Eve, The Home Kitchen Edit helps rid your pantry of unhealthy food clutter, while providing a comprehensive guide on what foods to eat and avoid to achieve your optimum health goals.

To give you a head start to a healthy new year and happy new you, here’s a round up of Eve’s top kitchen edit tips: 

Identify your current eating habits

Are you a stressed-out snacker, comfort food seeker or junk food junkie? Being more conscious about what you put in your mouth helps identify specific eating patterns – both good and bad.

Take some time each day to note down what you ate and, if you had a snack attack, reflect if it was triggered by stress or other emotions.

Review your food journal and take small steps to rectify the bad habits. For example, if you tend to snack when you’re tired, try to get more rest and stock foods which boost your energy levels so that you’re less likely to crave tidbits.

Substitute, substitute, substitute

Have a sweet tooth and can’t do without desserts? Go ahead and have some, without that extra side of guilt.

Instead of indulging in a sugar-filled candy bar which will cause your blood sugar levels to skyrocket without adding much nutritional value, stock up on antioxidant-rich dark chocolate or cacao nibs. The less-processed relatives of regular milk chocolate bars are packed with essential minerals and heart-heathy flavanols.

If you have to add some sweetness to your daily cuppa, instead of white sugar, go for raw honey. More than just a natural sweetener, this golden nectar is known for its immunity-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties.

Versatility is the name of the game

Everyone loves a multi-tasker. Instead of buying foods which have a limited range of preparation methods or are only used in certain cuisines, look out for vitamin-rich options which are versatile.

One of the most healthful and nutrient-dense vegetables available, kale makes a healthy stir-fry, satisfying snack or easy salad.

Nix the nasties

It’s often said that healthy eating starts with what’s on your plate. But truth be told, healthy eating begins with what you stock in your kitchen.

You’re more likely to reach for that box of sugary breakfast cereal or that pack of potato crisps because it’s right there in the pantry. So, think twice before you put that cream-filled cake roll into your grocery basket.

That doesn’t mean that you should deprive yourself of the occasional treat or go cold turkey on all snacks as that’s just not sustainable in the long run. If you must have a crunchy snack, have a small handful of all-natural vegetable chips instead of potato chips.

Where possible, keep your kitchen filled with healthy essentials that nourish your body in one way or another.
 

For more comprehensive, personalised tips, or queries about The Home Kitchen Edit, please contact COMO Shambhala Urban Escape Singapore at +65 6304 3552 or [email protected].

The Home Kitchen Edit is priced at S$650 for a two-hour consultation and is available in Singapore.