What came first: a love of food or love of nutrition and fitness?
I think for me they came hand in hand! Growing up, I never exercised. I was always the last person to be picked for sports at school. I was clumsy and always falling over and grazing my hands and knees. My great Polish aunt and uncle on the other hand were very active – they bought me my first bike and encouraged me to play sport which gave me confidence and made me feel awesome. I’ve been very inspired by the Polish recipes my great aunt used to create. I took control of my health when I was 9 years old. My parents would call it rebellious – I would call it saving my life! I managed to enroll my self in the local basketball team, I started walking to school instead of taking the bus and focused on eating fresh healthy foods like my aunt. I have never looked back!
How did The Healthy Chef come about?
When I was working at my café in Avalon on the Northern Beaches I realised I wanted to create healthy products for my audience but had little time to do. So, I sold the café and founded The Healthy Chef, a company that creates purely delicious functional foods for optimum health + wellbeing. The use of organic and natural whole-foods is at the heart of our philosophy.
When it comes to food labels, what should consumers be looking for?
I believe in honest, natural food. I eat as cleanly as I can because I believe my body deserves the best nourishment it can get. It’s important to know where you’re food has come from and treat it with the love and respect it deserves. Nutrition isn’t as complicated as it is often made out to be. I get a lot of emails from people who are SO confused – and rightfully so! There’s a sense of ‘food anxiety’ amongst many people who are trying their best to do the right thing. When it comes down to it, we are all so different and it is not a one-size fits all scenario. What works for you may not work for the next person. My best advice would be to take a step back, breathe and listen to your body. We should all take the time to think about what foods make us feel great and what foods don’t. I find that a lot of people stress over finicky nutrition details rather than focusing on the broader picture – that is, to eat natural wholefoods and keep it real.
Cookbooks, a café, and a new organic product range… how do you find enough hours in the day?
I focus on supporting my immune system and energy levels. I eat fresh plant based foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and quality protein such as eggs or fish. It makes me feel on top of the world and allows me to power on if I need to!
What’s your favourite product in the range?
I love them all! Most recently we have launched Naked Chocolat, Australia’s first sugar, dairy and gluten-free drinking chocolate powder. It is French inspired and loaded with antioxidants and the addition of pure vanilla and cinnamon is divine.
The perfect way to drink it is with my Wellness Bowl – a hand crafted ceramic bowl designed especially for my nourishing dishes.
For more information on Teresa Cutter and for details on her product range, visit www.thehealthychef.com.
