Healthy eating isn’t always
straightforward, so we’re staging a food face-off to find out which ingredients
have the nutritional edge.
Butter VS margarine
Ad campaigns will say marg is healthier,
but butter is the winner here. ‘Butter is a natural product made from milk,’
says Stephanie. ‘Margarine iSan unnatural product made from processed oils,
which contain hydrogenated fats.’
The winner is... Butter. Spread a light
layer on your sarnies or use for cooking.
The
winner is... Butter. Spread a light layer on your sarnies or use for cooking.
Frozen veg VS fresh veg
When it comes to veggies, we want
nutrients! So does fresh beat frozen? There’s fresh veg - in season, grown
locally, picked when ripe - and then there are “fresh” vegetables - picked
before being ripe, flown across the world,’ says nutritional therapist
Stephanie Ridley (nourishtoflourish. corn). Where your veg comes from, when it
was picked and how long it’s been in transit can affect its health- boosting
powers. ‘Frozen veg is frozen soon after picking, which helps preserve its
nutrient content,’ Stephanie explains. But to get the best veg, grow your own.’
The winner is... Frozen or local veg. Head
to the freezer, grow your own or do your veg shop at a farmer’s market.
The
winner is... Frozen or local veg.
Rapeseed oil VS olive oil
When it comes to these two, it’s hard to
pick a winner. ‘Rapeseed oil is higher in polyunsaturated fats, lower in
saturated fat and richer in vitamins K and E,’ says Stephanie. But extra virgin
olive oil has its pluses, too. ‘It’s rich in polyphenol antioxidants that have
been linked to an array of health benefits,’ says Stephanie, ‘so there are
plenty of benefits to be had from both.’
The winner is... Olive oil (just!). It’s
best raw rather than heated, so drizzle over salads or use it to garnish pasta.
It’s
best raw rather than heated, so drizzle over salads or use it to garnish pasta.
Almond butter VS peanut butter
A nutty spread is great for snacking, but
which nut comes up trumps? Almond butter is richer than peanut butter in key
vitamins and minerals, says Stephanie. ‘It’s high in vitamin E, which protects
the skin and prevents free radical damage, and calcium, which benefits bone
health and muscle function.’ And the benefits don’t stop there. ‘Almond butter
has more anti-inflammatory properties than peanut butter,’ Stephanie adds. So
it seems we have a champion’
The winner is... Almond butter. Spread it
on oatcakes or use it as a dip for carrots and celery for the perfect afternoon
snack.
The
winner is... Almond butter.
Raw chocolate VS dark chocolate
Can chocolate ever be healthy? Going raw
might be the answer. ‘Raw chocolate is rich in flavonoids, known to have
antioxidant effects,’ says Stephanie. ‘It also contains magnesium, iron and
calcium.’ So far, so tasty... But isn’t dark chocolate good, too? ‘It’s just
processed raw chocolate, but processing can damage its nutrients,’ says
Stephanie. ‘Plus, it has added sugar.’
The winner is... Raw choc. Occasionally’
The
winner is... Raw choc. Occasionally’
Couscous VS quinoa
‘Quinoa’s protein quality outweighs that of
couscous,’ says Stephanie. Great for filling you up - and it’s strong on the
nutrient front, too. ‘Quinoa wins hands down when it comes to its vitamin and
mineral content,’ says Stephanie.
The winner is... Quinoa. It’s
protein-packed and great in a salad or cooked up as porridge.
The
winner is... Quinoa
