Sirt foods: the brand new thing you’re probably already eating

Gosh, we just love it when delicious foods we’re already enjoying turn out to be even better for you.

Take sirt foods for example! If the sudden rise of yet another buzz word has your head spinning, allow us to break it down a little. Sirt foods are so named because they contain sirtuins; a class of proteins which contain enzymes that regulate different pathways in the body. So far, so unintelligible. The part that interests healthy eaters and dieters is that these enzymes appear to restrict calories, or effect our metabolism, a side effect of which is known to slow ageing in many species. The Sirtfood Diet by Aiden Goggins and Glen Matten is the latest tome setting people abuzz. A trial of the diet among gym goers showed rapid weight loss, but the book focuses mainly on healthy eating – which we at HelloFresh love!

Debate still exists in the scientific community as to whether this observed effect will function the same mechanically within the human body. Nevertheless, as a guide to considering the benefits whole food can give us, we reckon we’ll give sirt foods the old college try. Besides, we’re already eating loads of it!

Sirt foods to keep enjoying

Apples

Not only do apples contain sirtuins, but they lower cholesterol and are high in fibre, which keeps us feeling full.

Celery

Banana

Berries

Try our blueberry and banana pancakes below!

Dark Chocolate

Good news, dark chocolate makes the list, as does red wine!

Turmeric

…But you already knew turmeric was amazing, didn’t you. What? You didn’t? Then find out!

Red Onion

Green Tea

Chilli

Parsley

Kale

You thought we were done with kale? Not even by half. Keep gobbling down those dark green leaves. Why not turn them into a healthy snack?

Blueberry Banana Pancakes with Chunky Apple Compote and Golden Tumeric Latte

Ingredients

• For the Blueberry Banana Pancakes

  • 6 bananas
  • 6 eggs
  • 150g rolled oats
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 225g blueberries

  For the Chunky Apple Compote

  • 2 apples
  • 5 dates (pitted)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder
  • pinch salt

  For the Golden Turmeric Latte

  • 3 cups coconut milk
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
  • 1 teaspoon raw honey
  • Pinch of black pepper (increases absorption)
  • Tiny piece of fresh, peeled ginger root
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions:

1. For the Blueberry Banana Pancakes

   1. Pop the rolled oats in a high-speed blender and pulse for 1 minute or until an oat flour has formed. Tip: make sure your blender is very dry before doing this or else everything will become soggy!
   2. Now add the bananas, eggs, baking powder and salt to the blender and pulse for 2 minutes until a smooth batter forms.
   3. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and fold in the blueberries. Leave to rest for 10 mins whilst the baking powder activates.
   4. To make your pancakes, add a dollop of butter (this helps to make them really delicious and crispy!) to your frying pan on a medium high heat. Add a few spoons of the blueberry pancake mix and fry for until nicely golden on the bottom side. Toss the pancake to fry the other side.
   5. Enjoy!

   For the Chunky Apple Compote

   1. Core and rough chop your apples.
   2. Pop everything in a food processor, together with 2 tablespoons of water and a pinch of salt. Pulse to form your chunky apple compote.
   3. Voila!

   For the Golden Turmeric Latte

   1. Blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender until smooth.
   2. Pour into a small pan and heat for 4 minutes over medium heat until hot but not boiling.
   3. Enjoy!