Can healthy food really be tasty?

Foodie bloggers voice their opinions

The phrase 'healthy food' often conjures up disturbing images of a murky green monster juice and bland steamed vegetables that even a baby would scowl at. I'm going to be totally honest when I say it needn't be that way, but healthy eating does require time and preparation. Anyone who says it's a walk in the park is lying. I too have been guilty of opening up an app on a Wednesday evening because I just don't feel like cooking. A few clicks later, I've suddenly added fries and dessert to my order and, let's face it, there's no turning back now.
That said, for me, healthy eating means eating real food. Food that looks, smells and tastes as it should. I try to meal-prep on free afternoons, which allows for quicker meals that are ready-to-go during the week. I also love to take inspiration from Mediterranean cuisine (there are Greek islands with the longest life expectancy rates on earth - they must be doing something right!). The colourful salads, rich cheeses, homemade breads and olive oil... you can throw together dishes easily without hassle. I tend to garnish, season and marinate generously so that flavours are robust and bold. Trust me, there are no boring steamed vegetables in my kitchen. I roast them in the oven instead, with shallots, garlic, lemon zest and a good quality olive oil, as well as fragrant herbs such as rosemary, thyme and za'atar. The ubiquitous kale often makes an appearance, and a good trick is to "massage" the kale with lemon and salt, which removes the bitterness and makes for a more tender green. I make morning smoothies that taste as good as a chocolate milkshake. Think frozen banana, creamy avocado, almond milk, cashew butter, cacao powder, dates and vanilla blitzed together in the blender. You won't miss the ice cream, I promise!
Making healthier choices is a commitment - you have to plan and prep. But if you're in it for the long run, your body will thank you later.
Noreen Wasti
Is the blogger behind www.nonisplace.com. You can follow her on Instagram @noreenwasti

A few years ago, my idea of healthy food - and I'm sure many of you can relate - was steamed vegetables, boiled or baked protein, a bowl of plain oatmeal, and (more recently) quinoa, kale, and green tea. Serve me any of that and you'd see me run away as fast as possible in the opposite direction. Healthy food became synonymous with bland, boring and downright unpalatable. The lack of inspiration for healthy food, along with a slightly higher price tag, made it really difficult to observe and sustain a diet. 
But, ever since I started my blog, I've had the opportunity to experience similar dishes cooked in different ways, and I've realised that healthy food can be tasty and it all boils down to knowing your chemistry from your physics. The formula is to utilise fresh, quality ingredients so as to automatically enhance the flavours and texture of the dish, along with learning how to employ a smarter way of cooking and seasoning. They don't call it the science of cooking for nothing. 
Think about adding honey, pumpkin seeds, nuts, superfoods such as berries, or even dark chocolate to your oatmeal. Take it a step further and you can bake oatmeal raisin cookies for breakfast! Elevate your bland salad by marinating your veggies, using wheat or glass noodles, and add some protein - soft cheese, tuna, grilled chicken breast, steak, nuts for that extra crunch, or even experiment with fruits; berries, pomegranates, and oranges usually do the trick! Moreover, by creating your own dressing you will have further control on freshness and taste. 
Look at it this way: if you come across a boring healthy dish, challenge yourself and find ways to give it that extra zing! 
- Hedel Frank
Is the food blogger behind www.bringthefoodout.com.You can follow her on Instagram @bringthefoodout