125 health nut recipes

Fresh tuna burgers with basil, mint, lemon zest, and red chili, grilled and stacked on whole-wheat ciabatta with wasabi mayonnaise. A lighter burger with a Thai-Japanese lean.

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).

These are not only delicious and reminiscent of your favourite carrot cake, they are also good for you! With no added sweeteners and completely gluten and dairy free, these are as tasty as they are good for you and make the perfect Sunday brunch or dessert.

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.

Mung beans are a great source of plant protein, fiber and minerals such as iron, zinc and potassium (needed to regulate blood pressure).

Black rice, also known as forbidden rice, derives its name from when it was first cultivated for the sole consumption by the emperor in China. It is still cultivated in small quantities, and is not as popular as brown or white rice. However, studies have shown that the bran hull of black rice contains significantly more vitamin E than that of brown rice and more anthocyanin antioxidants than blueberries! It has a rich, nutty flavor and pairs beautifully in sweet dishes, such as this one where it is combined with coconut.

Keep these in the freezer and enjoy anytime you feel like having something sweet. Perfect with an afternoon cup of tea or coffee.

Spicy lemongrass tofu pan-fried with Thai chili paste and fresh minced lemongrass. A 30-minute vegetarian and gluten-free main served over brown rice with steamed vegetables.

A light, refreshing and uber-healthy take on traditional Thai green curry. You can adjust the amount of chilli you add based on how hot you prefer the curry. Serve with black or brown rice (or mixture of the two).

A healthier take on a traditional Chinese recipe, with no MSG or food colouring, which are often added to commercially made versions.

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.

When preparing this popular breakfast dish at home you can control the type and quantity of oil being used, the type of bee hoon (organic brown rice bee hoon is widely available now and not expensive) and use as many different green vegetables as you have on hand to increase its nutritional profile.

Salted caramel ice-cream and desserts have become standard on many restaurant menus in Singapore – as delicious as they are, they are not always the healthiest and are usually loaded with refined sugar and questionable fats. This very easy dessert will satisfy your sweet tooth, while giving you a boost of antioxidants, and magnesium. And the best part is that it can be ready in under 45 minutes (including freezing time).

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.

If you cannot find fresh peaches, use frozen ones (they will further thicken the smoothie). Peaches were first cultivated in China where they are considered a symbol of immortality and friendship. Nutritionally, they are a good source of selenium and vitamins A and C. Chia seeds are not only a complete protein, but supply the much needed omega-3 fatty acids missing from so many modern diets.

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.