The Nutritional Institute

Spring is a great time of the year to give yourself a healthy mind and body check. Sometimes we all need a little reminder about what is good for us, so we’ve made a few, simple, suggestions to kick-start you this October.

As I sit here pondering what I would like to write for you this week, I feel the warmth of the spring breeze drifting through my open window. Looking out at the garden, it is a beautiful Johannesburg day in late September – still dry from the winter droughts, but we’ve started to experience the first of the summer thunderstorms.

I believe we could all benefit from relying less on meat and upping our intake of plant-based foods. They provide a variety of micronutrients, antioxidants and phytonutrients, as well as dietary fibre that feeds our healthy gut bacteria and keeps our hunger at bay.

The doctor is in, and she wants you to eat healthier. Eating a healthy diet not only benefits your physical health, but can improve your mental health too. Consuming the best food possible is important for optimising your overall health and that of your family.

I have this love-hate relationship with making sourdough breads. I tried very hard to include a recipe in our book Wholesome Nutrition, but at that time I was truly unsuccessful in making them. After consuming kilograms of rye flour, I was turning out bread that was hard enough to concuss Ian!