PSYLLIUM HUSK
Psyllium husk, also
known as ispaghula
husk, is a soluble
fibre made from the
husks of the plantago
ovata plant’s seeds.
Because it absorbs
water and increases
bulk in the stool,
psyllium husk can
be used to treat
constipation and mild
diarrhoea. It has also
been shown to lower
one’s total cholesterol
levels, especially low-
density lipoprotein
(LDL) cholesterol,
otherwise known as
“bad” cholesterol,
while increasing
levels of high-
density lipoprotein
(HDL) cholesterol,
otherwise known as
“good” cholesterol,
by removing bile from
the body and forming
short-chain fatty
acids (SCFA). What’s
more, psyllium husk
also helps to lower
blood-sugar levels in
diabetics, especially
when taken with
food and, like other
soluble fibres, it can
also assist in weight
loss by increasing
feelings of fullness
and decreasing one’s
appetite. Its viscous
properties also make
psyllium husk a good
thickener when used
in cooking.
carbcurb
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waters, aiding you in this journey to making
clever carb choices
RECIPES BY CLAIRE FERRANDI AND DASHANIA MURUGASSTYLING BYCLAIRE FERRANDI
PHOTOGRAPHS BY DYLAN SWARTBLUEBERRY-AND-SULTANA
EASTER LOAF
Serves 8 EASY 1 hr 20 minsWHAT YOU NEED
200g almond flour
50 g flaxseeds
4 tbsp psyllium husk powder
1½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
2 tbsp xylitol
2 tsp vanilla essence
4 dates, soaked in boiling water
then drained once rehydrated
3 eggs
2 tbsp canola oil
3 ripe bananas, sliced
60ml (¼ cup) soya milk
50g sultanas
75g frozen blueberries + extra,
to serve
tahini/nut butter, to spreadHOW TO DO IT
1 Preheat the oven to 180 ̊C. Greaseand line a standard-sized loaf tin with
baking paper. Set aside until needed.
2 Combine the almond flour, flaxseeds,
psyllium husk powder, bicarbonate of
soda, ground cinnamon and xylitol in
a medium bowl. Set aside.
3 In a separate bowl, mix the vanilla
essence, drained dates, eggs, canola
oil, sliced bananas, soya milk and
sultanas together. Use a hand-held
blender to beat until well combined.
4 Make a well in the centre of the dry
ingredients and add the wet mixture.
Use a wooden spoon/spatula to mix
everything together until a smooth
batter forms. Fold in the blueberries.
5 Pour the batter into the prepared
loaf tinandsmooththetop.Bakein
the preheated oven until a skewer
insertedintothecentreoftheloaf
comesoutclean,40–50minutes.
6 Serve slices of the loaf topped
with frozen blueberries. Enjoy with
the tahini or nut butter alongside,
for spreading.FOODANDHOME.CO.ZA APRIL 2019 99CONSCIOUS EATING