Live healthy with Heather

This week campaigner and food writer talks to us about blueberry boosters

Sunday mornings are always blueberry pancake mornings – and pancakes don’t have to be unhealthy to taste delicious. Because so many people have sensitivity or allergens to eggs and flour, it’s good to learn to make them omitting both of these ingredients.

While you can feel free to use self-raising flour, I prefer rolled oats to keep my energy going until my Vbites vegan gammon Sunday roast.

For speed, blend a cup of rolled oats with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, a teaspoon of vanilla extract and a teaspoon of baking powder and sweeten with 1 to 2 tablespoons of maple syrup, depending on your preference.

If you want them to be thicker, you can always add a banana.

Add your favourite plant-based milk until you get a batter consistency – I like to match it with oat milk but soya milk, rice milk or almond milk also work well.

After blending, add a couple of handfuls of blueberries and then leave the batter to sit for 10 to 15 minutes.

If you’re focused on weight loss, pre-heat a frying pan with one or two sprays of olive oil, otherwise use some vegan butter.

You should probably have enough for four pancakes depending on the size of the pan and how thick you like them. Cook for about two minutes until the edges bubble and then flip them.

The reason I love blueberries is because they contain a high concentration of antioxidant compounds with beneficial properties.

Blueberries have been reported to have medicinal benefits, helping in the prevention of urinary tract infections, strengthening collagen and improving night vision.

They are high in potassium and vitamin C and contain phytoflavinoids – plant compounds that protect our bodies from stress.

Research has shown if you regularly eat blueberries they will help regulate your metabolism too.

I like to put them in my smoothies each day, as they don’t have an adverse effect on blood sugar levels but sweeten my drink up. And I have a sweet tooth and don’t want to pour half a bottle of maple syrup in my smoothie :-)

I like putting blueberries in my smoothies too as they sweeten it up