Healthy isn’t a goal; it’s a way of living

My journey started in 2014, after I had my second daughter and found myself in extremely bad shape. Not only was I overweight and depressed (hormones I couldn’t fight against), but also sluggish and unwell all the time.

After some research, I stumbled upon ‘Clean Eating Lifestyle,’ which changed my mindset on weight loss. Clean eating allows you to enjoy food that are both delicious and nutritious. Within a period of eight months after I adopted the regimen, I lost considerable weight. It was not the diet; it was the lifestyle changes I made. 

I wanted to share my experience with others and started a Facebook group, Thinspired by Simra. What initially started as a group for friend and family soon became an overwhelming success, with more than 20,000 members!

The group has several success stories of ladies who have lost extensive weight through healthy eating and exercise. This ‘all women’ platform helps members keep each other motivated and inspired.

Healthy lifestyle has no other alternative; we need to watch our diet habits and stop all ‘fad diets’ that lead to starving in the pursuit of losing weight. There is a saying, “Diet is 70 percent food and 30 percent exercise.” You can exercise all you want, but will not see your scale move if the diet you follow is not spot on!

Clean eating is easy and manageable, where you eat 5 small meals a day in order to lose weight. Here are some Clean Eating Dishes with recipes one can eat in a day while trying to lead a healthy lifestyle. Think about the nutritional value of food you put in your mouth rather than the calorie itself — eating food with just empty calories and no nutritional value might have adverse effects.

Exercise is a must, although not mentioned here.

FEW RULES OF CLEAN EATING —

Eating more real food: No processed, refined and packaged food allowed.

Eat for nourishment: Eating regular, balanced meals, and healthy snacks that are nourishing.

Eat more plant-based food: Eating more plant-based proteins, such as beans, lentils and peas, and high-protein whole grains, like quinoa.

Adopt a cleaner lifestyle by getting plenty of physical activity during the day, getting enough sleep at night and managing stress in healthy ways.

BREAKFAST

Nutty fruity granola parfait

(Total calorie: 257)

Ingredients

½ cup granola

50g sliced almonds and cashew

Sliced fruits (optional)

1 cup unflavoured low fat yoghurt

A pint of coconut milk/almond milk

100g fresh strawberries

1 tsp peanut butter

2 tsp brown sugar

Pinch of cinnamon powder

Method

In a saucepan, add chopped strawberries, 2 tablespoons water and brown sugar, and stir until the strawberries turn jelly-like and dissolve. Set aside and allow it to cool.

In the yoghurt, mix 1 teaspoon of peanut butter, a pint of coconut milk, cinnamon powder, sliced nuts, and whisk.

Take a large jar and layer the yoghurt, the strawberry jelly, the granola; and repeat this until you reach the edge of the jar. Now add some fresh fruits and sprinkle some cinnamon powder. Your home made granola nutty fruity parfait is ready, and best served chilled.

PRE-LUNCH SNACK

Red Mania Juice

(Total calorie: 150)

Ingredients

2 medium beet, peeled and chopped

2 carrot, peeled and chopped

1 small piece of ginger

2 lemon juice

2 tsp brown sugar (optional)

1 tbsp chia seeds (optional)

Method

Blend all ingredients together, and drink up.

LUNCH

Grilled Cajun chicken

(Total calorie: 360)

Ingredients

300g chicken

1 tbsp paprika

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp garlic paste

1 tsp chilli flakes

¼ tsp black pepper powder

2 tsp dried thyme

1 tbsp sunflower oil

1 tsp of BBQ sauce

1 tsp of hot sauce

Method

Dry the chicken with kitchen paper. Cut diagonal slashes over the smooth side. Mix spices with seasoning, then tip onto a plate.

Brush the chicken on both sides with the oil, then coat all over with the spice mix and keep aside to be marinated in the spices for 1 hour. Heat a barbecue, griddle pan or grill, then cook the chicken for 6 minutes on each side on low flame until cooked through.

Prepare 200g Low GI Rice, to serve with.

AFTERNOON SNACK

Spicy corn chaat

(Total calorie: 90)

Ingredient

200g frozen, blanched corn

2 tsp green chilli

1/2 tsp chilli powder

2 tsp roasted cumin powder

2 tsp salt

2 tsp ginger juice

2 tbsp lemon juice

2 tbsp cilantro

½ tsp black pepper

1 tsp black salt

1 onion

Method

Mix salt, black salt, roasted cumin seed powder, black pepper, and chilli powder together in a bowl and keep aside. Take a non-stick pan, keep it on medium flame, and coat it with mustard oil, add the chopped onion, the blanched frozen corn kernels in the pan, and stir fry them for about 6-7 minutes.

Once they are fried, the corn kernels will turn slightly brown. When you see the change in the corn, turn the flame off.

Now sprinkle the spice mix and cilantro in the corn. Mix the ingredients well and then stir in lemon juice and ginger juice in the mixture.

Corn chaat is ready to be served hot.

DINNER

Kidney beans salad

(Total calorie: 240)

Ingredients

1 cup raw red kidney beans, cooked in a pressure cooker until soft

1 green bell pepper, chopped

½ red bell pepper, chopped

1 red onion, chopped

1 tomato, chopped

½ cucumber, chopped

½ cup olive oil

½ cup rice vinegar

2 tbsp fresh lime juice

1 tbsp white sugar

1 tbsp salt 

1 clove crushed garlic

¼ cup chopped fresh coriander

½ tbsp ground cumin

½ tbsp ground black pepper

Dash of hot pepper sauce

½ tsp chilli powder

Method

Add all ingredients and toss with the kidney beans, and rest in the refrigerator for 1 hour. Serve the refreshing salad cold.

Photo: Simra Khan