5 Chefs Share What they Wish People Would Start Eating to Get Healthy

Give the usual burger, milkshakes and cheese-drizzle fries a rest. You don't have to compromise on taste to begin your fitness journey. Cosmo spoke to 5 celebrity chefs to know what cuisine would they recommend for a healthier, fitter you. 

Celebrity Chef Amrita Raichand

"I know the immense love of bread in this world. However, most of them are not the healthiest for us as they are made with all-purpose flour. So, my endeavour is to create some super healthy breads but in such a way that they don’t compromise on taste. My experiments are still on. But, I may have finally chanced upon an amazing loaf which has become quite a delight for my child at home – the banana chocolate loaf. It’s made with oats, bananas and is packed with energy and health."

Almond & Banana Choco Loaf

Ingredients

Ripe bananas- 2

Gluten-free oats flour- 1 cup

Almond flour- 1 cup

Organic raw-sugar- 50 gms

Choco chips- 100 gram

Baking powder- 1 tsp

Sunflower seeds- 1 tbsp

Butter- 120gms

Vanilla extract- 1tsp

Eggs- 3

Milk- 1 tbsp

Preheat oven to 180˚ C. Grease and line a loaf tin. Cream together butter and raw sugar till light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, then the vanilla essence and whisk well.

Sieve together the flours and baking powder into the mixture and fold well. Add the mashed bananas and the chocolate chips and fold into the batter. Add milk and mix. Finally, transfer the batter in the prepared silicon mould and tap lightly. Top with sunflower seeds. Put the mould in the preheated oven and bake for 35 minutes. Remove from heat, cool and de-mould.

Slice and serve.

Chef Pawan Bisht, One8 commune

"Health bowls with fresh local and seasonal ingredients is one thing I eat and would recommend. We are just done with health bowls at Mango kitchen and bar. Homemade granola bowl, berry and chia yoghurt parfait, beetroot, orange and walnut smoothie bowl, avocado and kale are few of them. All these bowls were kept in mind while planning the menu as people are getting more and more serious towards their health in today’s hectic schedule. Health bowls are the most efficient way to get all the nutrition elements in one dish through different ingredients."

 

Chef Vineet Bahuguna, Executive Sous Chef, Hilton Garden Inn, New Delhi

"Steamed Sea Bass with Superior Soya and stir-fried greens can be used. The dish has all the healthy elements like calcium, protein, iron zinc, vitamin D and most vitamins." 

Steamed Sea Bass with Superior Soya and Stir Fried Greens

Ingredients

Sea Bass Fillet -160 Gms

Pokchoy-40 Gms

Snow peas- 20 Gms

Brocolli-40 Gms

Garlic -3 Gms

Water-250 Ml

Maggie Seasoning- 10 ml

Light Soya- 25 ml

Dark Soya sauce- 5 ml

Rock sugar(Mishri)- 10 gms

Ginger slice– 10 gms

Spring onion- 10 gms

Coriander Bunch-30 gms

Oil- 5 ml

1. In a container mix water, light soya, dark soya, Maggie seasoning, rock sugar and coriander
bunch (make sure the coriander is washed and free from any mud deposit) and boil till the
time sugar dissolves.

2. Remove and strain the sauce is ready.

3. Meanwhile, take a plate place seabass fillet. Put ginger slice and spring onion piece on top.

4. Steam the fish for 5-6 minutes in a steamer.

5. Stir fry the Pok Choy, broccoli and snow peas with garlic and a dash of oil and light soya.

6. In a platter place the steamed seabass, pour the sauce and place stir-fried greens on top or side.

7. Garnish with ginger or spring onion Juliennes.

Chef Machindre Kasture, former chef at the Rashtrapati Bhawan

"Every cuisine is unique and has both healthy and unhealthy options. Everyone’s palate and staple food are different as per their climatic conditions and availability. If I have to refer one, I would always advise youngsters to eat Indian cuisine for its ayurvedic base and a balanced diet. I have seen youngsters usually skipping breakfast but by not avoiding the first meal of the day and having Poha or Upma in the morning one can always start the day with a healthy diet."