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Just get real – How to eat your way to a fitter and healthier you

Real food. Real health. Real results. These three philosophies underlie a new book published by Sports Nutritionist and triathlete, Steph Lowe, which promises to streamline the path to better health and vitality.

Real food. Real health. Real results. These three philosophies underlie a new book published by Sports Nutritionist and triathlete, Steph Lowe, which promises to streamline the path to better health and vitality.

Gone are the days of calorie counting, fad diets, and complex food rules – that’s what KarryOn learnt at an enlightening book launch in Melbourne last week.

With Steph’s new book, The Real Food Athlete, it’s now even easier to get back to the basics of healthy eating habits without all the mumbo jumbo that often gets in the way. All you need to do is commit to eating real food – i.e.,  food that grows in the ground, grows on a tree, or comes from an animal.

By eliminating processed foods and other complex carbs from your diet (such as bread, pasta, etc), and instead focusing on eating two portions of veggies, one portion of protein, and two portions of good fats (such as avocado and coconut cream) with every meal, you can be well on your way to a better and healthier you.

“The world is full of fake food and fake nutritional guidance, and that’s why I was so driven to write The Real Food Athlete. I want to help inspire people to go back to the basics and rekindle their relationship with real food.”

Steph Lowe, author of The Real Food Athlete.

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Pictured: Steph Lowe

Clear, concise, and easy to read, The Real Food Athlete is a recipe book and guide to becoming “fat adapted,” which basically means changing your body’s predominant fuel source from carbs to fat.

Doing this, according to the book, will result in better weight management (your body will get used to burning fat for fuel, resulting in a trimmer, leaner figure), more energy, and better physical performance.

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And that’s something any of us can benefit from, especially those that work at a desk all day like you and me. By simply changing what we eat, along with regular exercise (of course), we can feel healthier and look better without having to follow strict diets, count calories, or detox your way out feeling sluggish and rundown.

“The Real Food Athlete is a balanced and practical approach to food that everyone can truly benefit from.”

Steph Lowe, author of The Real Food Athlete.

Here’s a taste of the delicious (and healthy) recipes inside The Real Food Athlete that you can try for yourself.

 

Chocolate Avocado Smoothie

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Ingredients (Serves 1)

• 1⁄2 cup unsweetened almond milk

• 1⁄2avocado

• 1 Medjool date, pitted

• 1 teaspoon raw cacao nibs

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon chia seeds

• 1 large handful spinach

• 1 scoop quality protein powder, such as Bare Blends

• 1 tray of ice

Method

1. Combine all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

2. Top with extra cacao nibs and enjoy.

 

Chocolate Brownie Bites

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Ingredients (Makes 10-12)

• 3⁄4 cup walnuts

• 1⁄4 cup almonds

• 8 Medjool dates, pitted

• 2 tablespoons raw cacao powder

• 2 tablespoons raw cacao nibs

• 2 tablespoons unsweetened coconut flakes

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Method

1. Blend nuts together to form fine nut flour.

2. Add all other ingredients and blend until a crumbly mixture forms.

3. Empty mixture into a bowl and roll palm size scoops into balls.

4. Chill in the fridge before serving and freeze prior to training.

 

Green Vegie Slice

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Ingredients (Serves 4-6)

• 1 zucchini

• 1⁄2 bunch broccoli

• 5 eggs, free range

• 1⁄4 cup cold-pressed extra virgin coconut

• 1 cup almond or macadamia nut flour

• Sea salt and pepper, to taste

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180°C.

2. Blend or finely chop vegies and add to a large bowl.

3. Whisk eggs and add to the bowl with oil and flour. Stir well and season to taste.

4. Pour into a greased quiche tin or pan and pop in the oven for 20-30 minutes or until cooked

throughout.

5. Allow to cool before slicing. Delicious warm or cold and will keep in the fridge for 4-5 days.

Steph Lowe’s nutritional experience spans years, and she is currently the resident nutritionist alongside Sam Wood at The Woodshed in Melbourne.

The Real Food Athlete is available to purchase online at here for $34.95.

Will you be switching over to real food?