insideKENT Magazine Issue 58 - January 2017 | Page 76

FOOD + DRINK

WHAT ’ S IN YOUR FRIDGE ?

IN DECEMBER , YOUR FRIDGE PROBABLY LOOKED LIKE A SMALL BRANCH OF A SUPERMARKET , STUFFED TO THE GILLS WITH , WELL , PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING THE SHOPS HAD TO OFFER BEFORE CHRISTMAS DESCENDED AND WE LOCKED OURSELVES AWAY FOR A FEW BLISSFUL DAYS . BY LISAMARIE LAMB
But that was then , and now , in January , it ’ s time to re-stock that rather empty looking fridge with food that will suit your ‘ new year , new you ’ focus . It should be healthy yet tasty and easy to prepare so that you can quickly grab a snack when you ’ re feeling peckish . So , what ’ s in your fridge ?
SMOOTHIE A smoothie is part drink , part fantastically nutritious snack , and it ’ s all good for you . Make a batch of your favourite smoothie up in the morning , and you can sip on it all day , whenever you feel like you need a snack . There are hundreds of different varieties that you can try , and they are the perfect thing to have in your fridge as a go-to pick me up . Making your own smoothie is the healthiest option , and it doesn ’ t take long to do . Because smoothies are made with fruit and vegetables , they provide the body with plenty of essential vitamins and minerals , making smoothies the best way to get everything your body needs in one delicious go .
FRUIT & VEG Fruit and vegetables are another great fridge filler . Ready washed and prepared , you can fill a bowl or just take what you need when you need it , safe in the knowledge that you ’ re eating something healthy that just happens to taste good too . If you are green fingered you could grow your own snacks in the garden , greenhouse , or even in a window box – alternatively , there is plenty of choice in your local shop , offering you not only familiar flavours but more exotic ones too . Why not try something new in the New Year and add some different fruit to your shopping list ? Fruit and veg are packed full of vitamins and minerals which are needed to keep us healthy . These nutrients include folates ( also known as vitamin B12 , folates keeps our blood in good condition ), fibre ( this can help to prevent heart disease , weight gain , some cancers , and aids digestive health ), vitamin C ( needed for the growth and repair of skin , tendons , cartilage , blood vessels and other tissues ), potassium ( good for the heart ), and much more .
NATURAL YOGHURT Natural yoghurt is such a versatile ingredient . You can eat it on its own , you can add it to fruit , you can pour honey over it , you can mix it with cereal … You can even use it as a base to thicken the smoothies we mentioned earlier . No matter how you use it , the best thing about natural yoghurt ( apart from how good it tastes ) is that it is a natural source of probiotics , which help to keep your immune system and gut in tip top shape .
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