What makes you feel healthy?
Being in balance; having a clean, organic diet; deep breathing and plenty of water.
What do you believe are the cornerstones of a healthy, balanced diet?
Eat organic, home-cooked whole foods: real food, without any restrictions. I never count calories or put numbers on my food, and I would never use terms like ‘cheat meal’ for eating something unhealthy. I eat whatever I want without feeling bad about it. That is incredibly important.
“I never count calories or put numbers on my food, and I would never use terms like ‘cheat meal’ for eating something unhealthy. I eat whatever I want without feeling bad about it. That is incredibly important.”
Luise with her family while on their world travels.
What foods or groups of foods (if any) do you avoid?
I avoid refined gluten, such as pasta and white bread, as it gives me stomach ache and contains no nutrients at all. I don’t drink cow’s milk – I feel much better without it and lots of studies show the benefits of giving it up. I also avoid refined sugar and use raw honey, maple syrup and fresh dates as a natural sweetener instead. But again, I avoid it by choice, I don’t forbid it.
“Seasonal produce contains more nutrients than imported food, it is better for the environment and also cheaper.”
Do you eat seasonally?
Yes, I cook according to the seasons. Seasonal produce contains more nutrients than imported food, it is better for the environment and also cheaper. I eat more warm food during winter and more raw food during the summer. I always feel balanced when I’m in tune with nature. But I ferment (eat sauerkraut), sprout and soak all year around.
Cauliflower Pizza by Green Kitchen Stories
What do you think are the most nutritious foods?
Green vegetables! I add broccoli, spinach or kale to smoothies and pancake batter and oven-roast or steam Brussels sprouts. I serve a raw salad with plenty of shredded greens at every dinner and I make kale chips as a snack.
“If you were to look in my handbag you would always find a cooked egg, nuts and a pepper or celery stick – they can save my day.”
What is your food routine?
I eat three meals a day and two snacks. My blood sugar gets unstable if I miss out on meals so my snacks are really important to me. If you were to look in my handbag you would always find a cooked egg, nuts and a pepper or celery stick – they can save my day.
Favourite snacks?
Luise with her partner, David Frenkiel, and their two children.
Cold-pressed juices and nuts or leftover banana pancakes from breakfast. Smoothies or chia pudding with berries are other favourites and can be made ahead. I always keep jars of smoothie, cashew milk, overnight soaked oats and chia pudding in the fridge, that way I always have a snack in the afternoon for the kids and me. Hummus, cheese and veggie sticks are some of my daughter Elsa’s favourite snacks.
Are you a breakfast lover?
Yes! Breakfast is my favourite meal. I’m really hungry when I wake up and most nights I look forward to breakfast when I go to bed. I start the day with warm lemon water, which is a great detox and digestion tip. I love buckwheat porridge and banana pancakes; most mornings I also drink a smoothie or a juice.
“I start the day with warm lemon water; a great detox and digestion tip.”
What supplements do you take, if any?
I take a multivitamin/mineral supplement and omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA as a base, then I add extra supplements when needed. When I’m breastfeeding, my body needs extra zinc, B vitamins and I also take primrose oil for hormonal balance. If I get a cold virus or the flu I take extra vitamins C and D and zinc.
Chocolate Bean Chilli by Green Kitchen Stories
What’s your exercise routine/schedule?
I have been exercising my whole life and being active is very important to me but my exercise routine changes a lot. At the moment I like calm and strengthening exercise like swimming, reformer pilates and barre classes. Before I got pregnant I did a lot of functional training with free weights and some running.
Do you power up for exercise with specific foods?
I usually drink my workout smoothie, which is a celery and banana combo. It sounds weird but it tastes amazing and has the perfect balance of nutrients for working out. I also like beetroot juice.
