Keep meals simple and pure, Australia’s Healthy Chef urges

SHARE Keep meals simple and pure, Australia’s Healthy Chef urges

By Cindy Pearlman | Big Picture News Inc.

Aussie Teresa Cutter isn’t your average wellness expert.

For starters, she’s a classically trained French chef who believes in sauces.

Just hold the butter and flour.

The CEO of the Healthy Chef and Weight Watchers consultant says that you can make easy, delicious meals for the whole family that feel like you’re not skimping on taste.

“If you keep it simple, pure and clean with whole foods, then you can nourish your body and your mind,” she says.

Cutter doesn’t believe in an over-the-top approach to eating well. “I want people to become mindful eaters without becoming diet fanatics,” says the author of the international bestseller “Bite Me: The Anti-Aging Cookbook.”

Catch up with her at her Australian home and she moans, “It’s freezing cold outside. What I’m craving is hot tea. This is our winter,’ she says, mentioning that the day has consisted of working on her new book “Purely Delicious,” out later this year.

How is it that she isn’t eating little cookies with that tea? “I treat my body like it’s a really expensive sports car,” she says. “You wouldn’t put junk into that car. I don’t put junk into my body.”

She adds, “Of course, no one is perfect all the time, which is why I live by my 80-20 rule. Eat well 80 percent of the time by consuming fresh fruits, veggies and lean proteins and allow yourself that 20 percent to indulge in that piece of chocolate.”

“Beyond that, keep your foods simple and pure and engage in some form of exercise every single day. That’s the formula for losing weight.”

Her rules of healthy eating, however, have a few twists.

“For starters, I don’t eat by the clock. I won’t force myself to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner. I eat in the morning and then eat when I’m hungry. I eat when my body tells me it needs fuel. Think about it. How often do most of us eat when we’re not hungry at all?” she says. “Even in a family, you don’t have to eat a big meal because someone says it’s dinnertime.”

On her “no thanks” list is soda, refined white sugar and refined white flours, along with trans fats. “You must read labels,” she says. “Or buy foods with no labels like beautiful berries and greens. A beautiful salad can become a wonderful meal. But you also have to be mindful of not overeating. Stop when you’re feeling full.”

Going out to dinner is a bit harder. “I know Chicago has some of the best restaurants in the world,” she says. “I do want you to go out. Enjoy your food. But keep an eye on portion size. Your dinner out could probably easily be divided into a second meal at home.

“Also, chefs are pretty in tune with health now. They truly expect diners to have special requests and can tailor the menu to healthier choices,” she says.

Back at home, her breakfast of choice is a smoothie with almond milk, berries and protein powder. “I also like to do a Greek style yogurt, roasted nuts — but just a handful — and a little fresh fruit.

“The real key is to be the chef in your kitchen. Have the nuts in a bowl. The fruit is cut in another bowl for a few days. It’s all about planning. Good healthy eating is about being strategic. Grill an extra batch of veggies the night before and have them on hand.

“I won’t grab the bad stuff if those almonds are in a nice container within easy reach.”

She says that moving is also key. “My fitness routine has changed throughout my life,” says Cutter. “I used to be into cycling and kickboxing. I got out my frustrations through martial arts.

“These days, I’m kinder to myself. I’m into Pilates, beautiful walks and calm bike rides. I love being outdoors. I get in my daily steps. I do at least 10,000, but if I do 20,000 then I’m over the moon.”

In the end, she says that wellness is a choice. “Being healthy takes work, but it’s worth it to feel amazing.

“And remember, it’s up to you to care about your body and yourself,” she says.

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