If you surf, especially if you surf a lot, chances are that you are hungry a lot. Surfing takes a lot of energy which means you need to eat heaps to fill up and the best thing you can it loads without getting fat. However, I’ve figured my Schnitzel/Ice-cream/Beng Beng diet probably does not have the most nutritional value and is probably not the best of recommendations to other gidgets and surfers. Soooo I’ve had a chat to Ali Dear from Nutrilicious Life:
Venus Goes Gidget: I’m usually straight from bed into surf and don’t need breakfast beforehand, what would you recommend for the hungry gidget who needs a quick brekkie snack before the surf though?
Ali: My suggestion would be a quick smoothie or green juice to boost your system without being heavy in the tummy. Like the Berry Brekkie Juice or the Liver Boosting Juice
BERRY BREKKIE SHAKE
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
½ cup ice
1 cup frozen blueberries or strawberries
1 scoops vanilla protein powder
1 serving greens (eg. Chlorella)
Throw all ingredients into blender. Enjoy!
Of course you could swap the berries for a banana if you’d rather! And use any milk you like..
LIVER BOOSTING JUICE
4 carrots
2 apples
1 beetroot
3 slices ginger
½ cup cold water
(serves 2)
If you do not have a juicer, you could always buy your juice…just please ask for mostly vegetable juice. Fruit juices are high in fructose (sugar). Other good options are to have a banana or some natural yoghurt as they are also easy on the digestive system.
Venus Goes Gidget: Once I get out of the water after my morning surf I’m usually starving. Again I don’t have much time to prepare brekkie because I’m late to work already. What can I eat that is healthy, quick and keeps me filled up to lunch break?
Ali: Once you are back from your surf it is important to get some complex carbohydrates balanced with some lean protein…Low GI carbs will give you energy help balance blood sugar levels keeping cravings at bay, and protein will help build lean muscle tissue and keep you feeling full…think 2 eggs paired with some mushrooms and spinach, or quinoa porridge – you can make this the night before and have it soaking in the fridge, ready to take to work or heat and eat!
ALI’S EASY ALKALINE FRITATTA
½ bunch English spinach (or big handful baby spinach)
4 large mushrooms
3 eggs
Pecorino cheese
Heat a little coconut oil in pan, cook 1.2 bunch english spinach and 4 large chopped mushrooms. Whisk 3 eggs plus a dash of milk. Pour eggs over semi cooked veges. Cook for a minute to seal base. Top with a little pecorino cheese and fresh herbs ( basil or coriander are great) then place pan under the grill for 2 min till golden. Like a pizza, only HEALTHY and DELICIOUS! (serves 2, and even kids and partners like it)
OVERNIGHT CHIA PORRIDGE
1/4 Cup Organic Rolled Oats
1/4 Cup Plain Greek (or Almond) Yogurt
1/4 Cup Almond Milk
1 1/2 Tsp. Chia Seeds
1 tsp cinnamon
Fruit of your Choice, chopped: (bananas, blueberries, mangoes, strawberries, raspberries, shredded coconut, etc.)
Directions:
1. Put all ingredients into a glass jar and shake well. Leave space for the chia to swell…
2. Put in fridge overnight and then you can warm in the morning, or take straight to work with you! Enjoy!
Venus Goes Gidget: Ok, thanks these are great for the quick meals. What if I have a bit more time to prepare proper food, what would be your top tips and favorite recipes for the common surfer? Brekkie, lunch and dinner? (A bit more time, means more than 5 minutes but less than 30 minutes in my books J). Oh and most of us are surfers and chefs – so nothing too complicated please.
Ali: Well, brekkie is my favourite meal, and smoothies, eggs, porridge, or fruit with yoghurt and chia are all high on my list! Lunchtime and dinner generally have a portion of protein (meat, chicken, fish or beans) and are paired with veges or salad. Always add some healthy fats to your meal to balance hormones and blood sugar (flaxseed oil, avocado, fish, raw nuts or seeds are good choices).
Venus Goes Gidget: I’m not a fussy eater at all but I figured it’s not too healthy to fill up with carbs from white pasta as I used to do and I’m conscious of not eating too much diary or meat. So what’s left to fill me up and give me the energy I need for up to four hour surf a day?
Ali: No, it is not fabulous for you to fill up on processed carbohydrates for your brain or your body! Why not? Well.. Simple carbs are processed and come in a form of refined sugars, white bread, potato chips and other biscuits. They are deprived of most vitamins, mineral and enzymes –
And are stripped of fibre, too, hence they have a High Glycemic Index (high GI) and rapidly release glucose into the bloodstream causing fluctuations in blood sugar levels, drowsiness, tiredness, increased toxicity levels, nausea, mood swings and the list goes on…leading to a cranky gidget!
Simple carbs can lead to weight gain as excess sugars, which our bodies do not need, are stored in our delicate livers as glycogen. When there is too much glycogen in our livers and it is not needed by the body it may lead to obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
Instead, stock up on quinoa, brown rice, millet and starchy veges to boost energy levels and maintain even blood sugar.
Venus Goes Gidget: So what should be on every surfers shopping list?
Ali: Fresh veggies, fruit, natural yoghurt, chia seeds, quinoa, brown rice, and then lean protein of your choosing…and I always sneak in a little 70% dark chocolate.
Venus Goes Gidget: Tell us about a bit about you and how you know about all these healthy food things?
Ali: I originally studied Exercise Science at Sydney Uni and have always been interested in health and fitness…then realizing that people just didn’t get the results they wanted through exercise alone I went back and studied nutrition post grad! I am a qualified nutritionist, trainer and yoga teacher…and am always keen to help people reach their health, fitness and life goals!
Venus Goes Gidget: If anyone wants to find out more or delve deeper into nutrition, etc where to go? Any tips?
Ali: Check out my facebook page, and if you are interested in a nutrition plan specifically designed for you, please give me a call or shoot me a message and lets get you sorted. We’ll also keep you posted with yummy, healthy recipes on Venus Goes Gidget.
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