61 health nut recipes

Traditional Indian dish of roasted chunks of chicken in a spicy sauce. The chicken is a very good source of lean protein, while the sauce provides important nutrients such as vitamins A and C as well as calcium.

These gluten-free (can be dairy free and nut free, see Notes) muffins are a great start to the day as they contain no refined sugars and instead provide slow release energy through their relatively high protein content. If you are diabetic, use stevia in place of maple syrup.

A simple salad with big health credentials: avocados are an excellent source of good fats, and more recently have been shown to also inhibit inflammation when eaten in combination with foods that typically trigger it. They are also a rich source of potassium (which balances sodium to keep blood pressure levels stable) and vitamin E, an important antioxidant.

When making smoothies, use the whole fruit or vegetable and blend in a good high powered blender (Vitamix and Blendtec are two of the best ones). Fresh fruits and vegetables contain large amounts of soluble and insoluble fibre which will help keep blood sugars stable and keep you full for longer. The combination of ingredients in this smoothie makes it an ideal breakfast as it contains protein, fibre, omega-3 fatty acids and probiotics for healthy digestion.

Edamame, carrot, and avocado salad tossed in a bright orange-lime and ginger-sesame dressing with black sesame seeds and cilantro. A fresh, protein-rich vegan, gluten-free side.

A healthy version of a common breakfast staple, it provides steady-release energy through the day and delivers important nutrients such as iron, selenium and calcium, among others. Easy to make ahead and pack for a day at the office.

Chocolate contains compounds believed to boost serotonin and endorphin levels in the brain. Among them are theobromine and caffeine, which can increase alertness and trigger a pleasurable feeling similar to the natural high after exercise. Another group of compounds, called flavonoids, has been found to benefit heart health. Studies suggest they improve blood flow by relaxing the blood vessels.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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 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.

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.

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.