Are you bored with fruit for dessert?

Question:
I’m getting a bit bored and fed up eating the same old fruit salad after every meal. Can you suggest some alternative “healthy, tasty desserts”?

Gemma Clarke – e-mail

Answer:
Two things or questions immediately spring to mind Gemma… firstly I would ask, “Do you need to have dessert after every meal”? And secondly, I would say, “You can get bored of any food, meal, or indeed training programme, if you fail to change things regularly“! Begin to use your imagination and keep your mind fresh and challenged. Fruit salad can mean 101 different things. I have just been to southern India, where fruit salad means fresh pineapple, mango, banana and grape sprinkled with grated fresh coconut and fresh lime juice. There is your first idea! In fact, I would also add a little chopped fresh ginger root too and maybe some chopped mint, which would not only make a fantastic dessert, but a great breakfast or pre or post-training snack!

Coconut incidentally contains one of the most “helpful” types of fats for an athlete. MCT’s or medium chain triglycerides are used effectively as an energy source, and there is evidence that these fats increase the metabolic rate. If you can’t get a fresh coconut, buy organic unsweetened dessicated coconut, which can be used in a myriad of ways. In the summer, make use of the more exotic tropical fruits available, and of course the wide variety of summer berries too. In winter, stick with seasonal apples, pears, plums and winter berries, and gently heat through with a teaspoon of honey and a little ground cinnamon, ginger and a cardamom pod or 2.

Fresh herbs and spices make a mountain of difference to any dish, sweet or savoury – including fruits and grains. Don’t be afraid of trying herbs, and spices, using a small amount of 1, 2 or 3 different ones, and experience another dimension to your cooking, and taste buds! Herbs and spices such as ginger, coriander, basil, mint, cinnamon, cardamom and cumin carry natural medicinal and immune-enhancing properties and support digestion too. Remember first and foremost that “desserts” after a meal should be light on digestion. Fruit therefore is a good choice, but ideally wait 30-60 minutes before eating, to allow for complete digestion of your main meal, and to avoid any unnecessary bloating or wind. Heavy cream-based or stodgy desserts are not the best choice and likely to make you feel sluggish for training. Still not satisfied? Try a homemade rice and raising pudding…

Soak and then rinse 50-75g of either brown basmati rice, quinoa or even wild rice. Cook in twice the weight of water and milk, bringing to the boil and then reducing to a slow simmer. Add a tablespoon of raisins and ½ tsp of cinnamon, and allow to cook until sweet and tender! This is delicious as a dessert, and also ideal as a warming breakfast.

Enjoy the fruits of the earth Gemma!

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