126 health nut recipes

Oats are a great source of soluble fibre and have been shown to help lower cholesterol levels. Cinnamon is well regarded for its ability to balance sugar levels, thus keeping hunger at bay for longer. Adding flaxseeds or chia seeds boosts the omega-3 oils and adds even more fibre to the dish. The dish can be assembled the night before and left in the fridge for the oats to soften. All that is required the next morning is to add hot milk.

Naturally very low in fat, prawns also contain beneficial omega-3 fatty acids and are a good source of protein. The spices used in the curry are powerful anti-virals, anti-bacterials and anti-inflammatories.

Very simple cookies made with an almond-meal base. Almonds are high in monounsaturated fats, which have been associated with a reduced risk of heart disease. They are also very high in vitamin E (a powerful anti-oxidant), magnesium and potassium (important for maintaining healthy blood pressure).

Making your own fish balls is the key to keeping this soup hearty and nutritious. Avoid using store-bought fish balls which can contain added cornflour, flavourings, MSG and preservatives.

Tataki is a typical Japanese preparation in which beef (or fish) is seared on the outside, left very rare inside, thinly sliced and served with a citrusy soy sauce. This recipe delivers the citrus flavour from ponzu with a hint of heat from chilli and wasabi.

A fresh take on the traditional banana bread utilizing the widely-available persimmon – the national fruit of Japan. Persimmons are rich in vitamins A and C, and contain high amounts of manganese, a co-factor for the enzyme superoxide dismutase, for healthy mucous membranes and skin, as well as a known protectant against lung and mouth cancers. They are also an excellent source of fibre and B-complex vitamins.

A favourite served at Din Tai Fung gets a healthy make-over. Water spinach, commonly known as kangkong, is rich in fibre, magnesium, vitamins A and C and is very low in calories. Word of caution: do not eat it raw as it may carry parasitic cysts from the waterways that are its natural habitat.

Dry your beans well before cooking. To get the traditional ‘blistered’ look of the beans you will need to shallow-fry them for 5-6 minutes and stir constantly to avoid burning.

The secret to making the cucumbers crunchy is to salt them first and let the salt draw out excess moisture before use.

Popular Chinese dish from the Sichuan region containing bean curd cooked in a spicy pepper and black bean sauce. Fermented black beans have long been used to boost digestion and support immune function. The process of fermentation also increases the vitamin B and omega-3 fatty acid content of the beans. Adding fermented foods to one’s diet is one of the best ways of creating a protective environment in the gut against harmful pathogenic bacteria and other organisms.

This is a very simple one-bowl meal, perfect for when you don’t have the time to spend cooking after work. You can easily double or triple the recipe and use the leftovers for lunch the next day.

In Japan, miso soup is a traditional breakfast food–sipped hot, directly from the bowl. It is incredibly simple to prepare and can be put together in roughly the same amount of time it takes to brew a cup of tea. You can transfer the soup to a wide-neck thermos and take it to work for a nourishing mid-morning break as well. Miso has numerous health benefits, but is especially renowned for its probiotics properties, which help balance intestinal flora. It also contains good amounts of vitamin B12.

Loaded with healthy protein from chicken and egg and anti-inflammatory herbs such as coriander and ginger, this is a great way to start the day. Although traditionally made by cooking grain in the soup until it becomes mushy, consider cooking grains separately to retain their texture and nutrients. Also swap white rice for brown rice or quinoa, or even barley to boost the nutrition profile of the soup.

As we age our bodies' ability to produce digestive enzymes diminishes. Similarly, cooking foods destroys the majority of digestive enzymes found naturally in foods, compromising our ability to absorb nutrients from the foods we consume. This salad contains papaya and pineapple, which are both loaded with powerful digestive enzymes. Kiwi fruit is a very rich source of vitamin C to boost immunity. Adding organic yoghurt (or coconut yoghurt) to the salad is a great way to take in probiotics and further boost the digestion-enhancing properties of this salad.

Ginger is a well-known anti-inflammatory that can help manage arthritis pain and help combat oxidative joint damage. To boost the healing properties of this juice, add a small knob of fresh turmeric.

This smoothie packs a real superfood punch with a combination of wolfberries, hemp seeds, chia seeds, maca and spirulina. Wolfberries, hemp seeds, chia seeds and spirulina are all complete proteins. In addition, chia seeds and hemp seeds are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Maca is a great hormone regulator and has traditionally been used to enhance fertility. Spirulina is one of nature's wonder foods and its GLA content (gamma linolenic acid, an important fatty acid) is second only to mother's milk.