DAY 3: You say potato, I say sweet potato

Oats, anyone? I had mine this morning with cinnamon and walnuts.

What is it about McDonalds anyway? Their food looks like Michael Jackson’s face -- plastic (RIP, Michael). And it doesn’t taste much better than plastic either. But it’s like they put some sort of addictive additive -- probably just fat -- to programme your body to want it every time you walk past their giant posters of burgers.

That was precisely the dilemma I faced today. I walked past a McDonalds and I couldn’t help but stop and think about it for a fleeting moment. Should buy a greasy, calorie-packed McDonalds meal that I know will make my tummy smile, or should I go home and cook cauliflower soup that would make my butt happy?
Needless to say it was a tough day, and, oh, I buckled. But luckily not to such an extent that I bought McDonalds. I got some slimmers’ crisps from Woolworths (it’s delicious and only 318 kjs) to satisfy my craving and some blueberry juice to wash it down.

But besides my Mickey D’s moment, today went well and I managed to pack in loads of nutritious super foods. Here’s what I ate today:

Before gym: a banana.
Breakfast: oats with crushed walnuts and cinnamon.
Snack: a handful of my nuts mix.
Lunch: pan-fried Canadian salmon with broccoli and sweet potatoes. And a small apple.
Snack: slimmers’ crisps and blueberry juice.
Dinner: cauliflower soup and two slices of whole-wheat toast topped with smoked salmon.

My standout superfoods today were the oats, salmon and another one of my favourites, sweet potatoes. I’m always surprised by how few calories sweet potatoes have compared to their cousin, the humble potato. This is because they’re so sweet and filling, they taste a bit like sin. But sweet potatoes offer a pretty sweet deal; they not only taste good but are loaded with essential vitamin C, potassium and calcium.

I paired my sweet potatoes with salmon, one of the world’s most recognised superfoods thanks to its omega-3 fatty acids, which are known for protecting heart health. It is recommended that you eat fatty fish, such as salmon, twice a week. Well, I guess I’m sorted. I’ve eaten salmon twice and that was just today!

This time, I’ve left the worst for last. It’s not that I don’t like oats, it’s just that I’m convinced I don’t know how to cook it properly. Still, I needed to incorporate oats into this challenge -- they’re a good source of fibre, which helps to lower cholesterol levels. They also keep you fuller for longer.

Still, I tried to cover up my oats nightmare with some cinnamon and walnuts. I’ve already told you about how great walnuts are -- the “king of nuts”, if I remember correctly? -- but turns out, simple cinnamon has also earned a place among the world’s superfoods.

Cinnamon is one of the oldest spices around and was once considered more treasured than gold (maybe the jewellery wasn‘t that attractive in the dark ages?). Studies have shown that cinnamon can have a positive impact on blood sugar levels, but some people even believe it can boost your circulation, vitality and energy.

I doubt a McDonalds burger can do all of that.

My salmon and sweet potato lunch. Hey, does that salmon look like it's floating?! Talk about superfood...