Plant-based twin chefs share 11 tricks to get your five-a-day
Plant-based twin chefs share 11 tricks to get your five-a-day
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With studies showing we eat only three of our recommended five-a-day, plant-based food, gurus Steve and Dave Flynn, better known as The Happy Pear, offer clever tricks for boosting your intake. The identical twins, opened their original Happy Pear cafe in County Wicklow, Ireland, 20 years ago and have since written seven cookbooks celebrating all things meat-free and packed with veg, grains and legumes. Here the brothers share their tips for incorporating more plants into your daily diet - including how to cook vegetables in ways that even children will love.
At every meal, aim for half your plate to consist of colourful, fresh, or cooked vegetables. This simple rule boosts fibre intake, as well as adding in more essential vitamins and minerals. Try to include something extra each time – some sliced avocado or cherry tomatoes with chilli are great options, blending beautifully with the spices and ramping up the nutrients.
Kick off your mornings with a vibrant green smoothie or a warm, nutrient-packed elixir like ginger tea and a delicious bowl of fruit with granola and yoghurt. Getting fruit in early in the day is a great way to fuel energy and vitality. Add tinned beans, lentils or chickpeas to a curry to increase the fibre content. Beans are also high in protein and a source of energy, so they’re a brilliant addition at mealtimes.
Bulk roast sweet potatoes in the oven or air fryer. They are often a favourite with children as they are easy to eat, sweet and tasty. Add frozen spinach to pasta sauces, chillies, stews, curries or dhals – you’ll barely notice it once it has been cooked down and it will bump up the nutrient profile.
