I have met so many people over the years of training that would tell me they eat exactly the same meal for lunch and supper and sometimes even breakfast – and honestly I could think of nothing worse. How boring!
I get why they do it, because it does take the guess work out of cooking if you eat the same thing every day, but how interesting can that be to eat the same thing day in and day out. Also, in terms of tracking your macro nutrients and maintaining your weight, some people find it’s easier to do so. But let’s be honest – if this was your last day on earth would you really want to eat your 1 millionth tuna salad for lunch or even the same hum-drum breakfast.
This is also a contributory factor to why people fall off the wagon with their nutrition, because they get into a nutrition rut. I am here to tell you, you can make exciting, delicious, tasty food that will keep you inspired to make better choices with your nutrition.
This ‘WEETBIX My Way Challenge’ really inspired me to play with a product I thought could only be enjoyed one way – but boy was I wrong! It is so versatile!
BREAKFAST
With breakfast there are an endless amount of healthy options you could choose from. Always make sure whatever you choose is a healthy balance of protein, fats and carbohydrates. The balance is 
what gives you the perfect combination that will keep you satiated for longer. So adding things like berries (strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries etc) to your cereal or breakfast smoothie will immediately make it so much more delicious! Also, it’s very low in calories so you can have a generous amount without it becoming overindulgent.
Having that said, don’t be afraid to play with other fruit like apple, kiwi, banana, pineapple etc.
The recipe I tried as part of the WEETBIX My Way Challenge – ‘Berry and Kiwi Breakfast Jar’, is an ideal example of having fun with your breakfast choice but still getting a delicious healthy breakfast!
LUNCH
When it comes to lunch, you want to give yourself that boost of energy, so a wholesome, hearty lunch is good – a lean protein, a good carb (something with a Low GI, whole wheat sandwich, brown rice, sweet potato or wholewheat pasta) and perhaps a good fat (avocado, olive oil drizzled over your salad or pasta dish etc). With this as your basis, there are an array of options out there for you to choose from, make sure it is always simply prepared and not overly processed e.g crumbed anything and then deep fried – may not be the best option.
SNACKS
I know I always look for a yummy snack in the late afternoon just to carry me through till supper time. A fresh fruit is always a good option – there is some truth to that old saying “An apple a day keeps the doctor away!”
Alternatively, plan ahead and make your own delicious 
health bars and that way, you know exactly what is going into it – like the ‘WEETBIX Breakfast Bars’ I made. I put my own twist on them, adding a drizzle of 85% dark chocolate on some of them. I also left out the brown sugar just to lower the sugar content to the bars.
DINNER
At dinner, make sure you again – prioritise a lean protein (chicken, lean beef, fish) and then fill half your plate with veggies (and potatoes, sweet or other – does not count as a veg, it is a carb). Add a huge leafy salad (hold the dressing though! – only olive oil, lemon juice or balsamic vinegar if you are looking to watch your weight). With winter, I love having soups, hearty, delicious and warm. I found this amazing Haleem recipe that also uses WEETBIX! I have since adapted it and made it my own and I urge you to give it a try especially now during Ramadan…
WEETBIX HALEEM
6 WEETBIX bricks
1 ½ cup of oats
2 ½ litres water
2 tsp salt
1 cup of chicken fillet, cubed
3 Tbsp ghee
1 med onion, grated
1 tsp ginger & garlic paste
1 ½ tsp ground green chillies
½ tsp turmeric
1 tsp salt
1 cup water
1 Tbsp ghee
½ small onion, sliced
3 whole green chillies
1 tsp jeeru
¼ tsp garam masala
¼ cup of fresh coriander chopped
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a large saucepan soak the oats, WEETBIX, water and salt.
- Bring to the boil and cook on low heat for 20-30 minutes until thick. Remove from heat.
- When cool, liquidize the WEETBIX mixture.
- Fry the onion in ghee until light gold, add ginger, garlic and spices.
- Add the chicken and cook for a few minutes.
- Add water and cook until chicken is tender.
- Mix the cooked chicken to the liquidized WEETBIX mixture and bring to the boil.
- Fry the onion, green chilli and jeeru in the ghee until light pink and add to the haleem.
- Sprinkle the garum masala, garnish with fresh coriander and serve.
(Recipe inspired by Cosmopolitan Cuisine cookbook)
This post was in collaboration with WEETBIX. Go to their Mobi site to see even more delicious ways to enjoy your WEETBIX. Don’t forget that you could win a R500 shopping voucher if you try one of the recipes on the WEETBIX mobi site and tag me in a picture of your finished dish and hashtag #WEETBIX and #MyWayChallenge.
Wardah
Happy Healthy Fabulous
Photography: Feature image by Hemisha Bhana Photography
