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Throughout my fitness journey, to date, one of the things I've enjoyed the most is experimenting with new foods and recipes. I'm a big believer in ‘a little of what you fancy does you good’. It’s not much fun exercising regularly, and eating so carefully, to then deny yourself the occasional little treat. Denying yourself simple pleasures is a sure way to sabotage your efforts.

Saying that, while I’m working so hard to keep the pounds off, I'm all for finding clever ways to indulge without breaking my diet. There are some amazing ways to feel like you're indulging, without consuming loads of sugar, just by using more natural and unprocessed ingredients. So, as we hit the weekend (when a treat is almost mandatory), I’ve listed below a couple of cheat meals, passed by a friend who specialises in fitness and nutrition (but is also a keen foodie), so they’re all super tasty (pizza looks great), it’s just the unwholesome elements have been swapped for healthier options. I’ll most definitely be trying the pudding.

1. Raw Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding

Perfect for when you're craving chocolate, but without any of the processed sugars, both chia seeds and raw cacao are full of antioxidants, omega-3 and tons of other vitamins and minerals. Does anyone else find they crave chocolate more than ever, as soon as you begin a diet? This pudding is great as a healthy dessert, a quick snack or even a decadent breakfast. To really amp up the superfood qualities of this pudding, you can add strawberries, sliced banana or nuts.

Here's the recipe:

Ingredients

- 1 quarter cup of whole chia seeds (I use chia bia)

- 1 cup of unsweetened soy milk

- Half a scoop of chocolate whey protein

- 2 tsp of raw cacao (powder or grated)

- 1 tsp of agave (optional)

Method

- Take a Kilner jar and add the chia seeds

- Top up with the milk, then add the protein powder, the agave and the raw cacao

- Stir well, then put the lid on and give it a really good shake

- Pop in the fridge, ideally leave over night and stir every now and then.

What toppings would you add to your super food pudding? 

2. Protein Cheese Cake

I particularly love this recipe because, somehow, it tastes just like cheese cake, but has no sugar and pretty much no fat, either. It uses low fat cottage cheese, which I'm told is a body builder’s secret weapon, due to its high protein content. It isn’t actually cheesecake, but it really and truly does taste like it. Even non health-obsessed friends agree with me. Seriously - make this tonight.

Ingredients:

- Half a tub of low fat cottage cheese

- 2 tbsp Greek yoghurt- I use Fage 0% as it's high in protein

- 1 scoop of whey protein, flavour of your choice. I love chocolate or cinnamon for this recipe

- Half a cup of blueberries

- Half a cup of raspberries

Method

- Put the cottage cheese and Greek yoghurt in a bowl and add the protein powder

- Mix well before stirring in half the berries and mixing again. I like to chop the raspberries a little first so that they bleed into the mixture.

- Finally top with the rest of the berries to serve - you can devour it right away!

3. Pitta Pizza

Pizza on the weekend is one of my favourite things, but with around 250 calories in just one slice, it can easily tip you over your calorie count. For a treat, try a ‘pitta’ pizza instead and indulge with lots of healthy toppings:

Ingredients:

- 1 whole wheat pitta

- 30g cheddar cheese

- 30g mozzarella

- 1 tbsp tomato purée

- Toppings of your choice, I like to go for spinach, ham and sweetcorn

Method:

- Toast your pita a little, before spreading on the tomato purée

- Add the cheese and your toppings, and pop under the grill until the cheese is bubbling

- Serve with salad

These 'cheats' help me stay on track; and I'm forever trying out new recipes, so look out for more foodie posts in the future.

This weekend, I’ll definitely be trying the Chocolate Pudding. Any favourites of your own you’d add to the list?

Enjoy your weekend x

 

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