125 health nut recipes

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.

Steamed fish fillets drizzled with soy sauce and toasted sesame oil, cooked in a bamboo steamer in under 10 minutes. Three-ingredient dinner that's gluten-free when made with tamari.

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.

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.

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 classic Japanese dish, first made famous by the chef Nobu Matsuhisa and served in all his Nobu restaurants. Serve with steamed spinach and brown /black rice or quinoa for a simple, but delicious dinner.

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.

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.

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.

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

Rich gluten-free chocolate cake with almond meal, raw cacao, and coconut sugar. Includes chocolate ganache topping for 15 servings.

Thick, creamy goji berry and strawberry smoothie with soaked flax seeds and almond milk. A naturally gluten-free, nutrient-packed blend with a gorgeous pink hue.

Eggs are high in protein and contain all the essential amino acids needed for growth and repair. In addition, they contain vitamin A, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E. However, not all eggs are created equal: tests have confirmed that free range eggs (from hens that were allowed to roam free and were not kept in cages) are nutritionally superior and much less likely to be contaminated with disease-causing bacteria such as salmonella. They also taste better, so whenever possible always choose free range eggs.

Considered the national dish of Malaysia, nasi lemak is a breakfast staple in Singapore hawker centres, but is also recognised as one of the least healthy breakfast options - no surprise since lemak means 'fatty' and refers to the rich white rice cooked in coconut cream. When served with fried chicken, the dish really does pack a calorific punch. However, with a few tweaks and substitutions it is possible to create a healthier version of the dish to enjoy on weekends at home with family.

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.

Green smoothies are a wonderful easy way of increasing your leafy green intake - if you are new to green smoothies, start slowly and over time add more greens. The pineapple in the smoothie contains powerful digestive enzymes, while the spinach is loaded with iron. Coconut water is a wonderful way to quench your thirst while replenishing electrolytes - did you know that it was used by doctors during World War II to do transfusions when donor plasma was not available?