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Take cues from those who know food and fitness best

Have you ever wondered how some chefs manage to stay fit while being surrounded by food 24x7? It's an enigma that has long befuddled us. The secret, we finally figured, is a combination of how they stock their kitchens, and calorie-bursting workouts. Four chefs tell us all about the foods they keep stocked at all times, and how to use them to whip up something delicious, yet healthy.

Alyssa Chesson, founder, Bono Boutique Ice Cream

If you follow Chesson on Instagram, you'll know how obsessed she is with having enviable abs. A model-turned-ice-cream-maker, Chesson loves keeping it fit. In her kitchen, you'll find:

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    Coconut water: “I drink it every morning.”

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    Nuts: “I love sprinkling a mix of nuts over my salads, and even eat them by themselves when I'm craving a snack.”

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    Fresh honeycomb: “I have friends bring it down from abroad when they come to see me. I use it in my morning porridge, on salads and eat it on its own.”

Monaz Irani, founder, head chef, Plate and Pint

Irani's signature pancakes are always a special order when the diners know she's in the house. The young chef is a krav maga trainee and enjoys laps of Priyadarshan Park every morning to keep fit. In her kitchen, you'll find:

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    Goji berries: “They help in maintaining good immunity, detoxifying the liver and stabilising blood sugar, amongst other things. They have high levels of antioxidants as well. I mix a handful of these with oats and almond milk in the morning for breakfast.”

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    Tuna steak: “Tuna has omega-3 fatty acids, which help in bringing balance in the blood vessels, and reduces cholesterol. It's heart-friendly and helps reduce weight, while strengthening the bones. I sear it with minimal seasoning to get the taste of fresh fish, and eat it along with healthy greens and quinoa.”

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    Stevia and flax seeds: “I blend these along with skim curd, fruits and some protein powder to make a very healthy but filling mid-day smoothie.”

Husna Jumani, pastry chef, Clearing House

How to keep fit when you are surrounded by sugar, butter and cream all the time? Jumani likes to burn off the calories with long runs on Pali Hill. In her kitchen, you'll find:

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    Moringa powder: “It's high in antioxidants and a rich source of vitamins. Best to drink it as a green smoothie.”

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    Coconut sugar: “I swap regular, refined sugar with this. It's nutritious and lower on the glycemic index (GI) than white sugar.”

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    Buckwheat flour: “It's an excellent source of protein and fibre. I use it as a gluten-free substitute to refined flour.”

Kelvin Cheung, F&B director, Aallia Hospitality

Cheung is probably among the top Crossfit enthusiasts in Mumbai. His Instagram stories are mostly about him working out #beaststyle, even on lazy Sunday mornings, when his restaurant is busy serving a delish brunch. In his kitchen, you'll find:

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    Nutritional yeast: “I put nutritional yeast on everything at home—from my eggs to my popcorn. It's a great source of vitamin B, and its nutty, cheesy flavours add so much depth to any food.”

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    Garden of Life Primal Defense Probiotics: “As they say, ‘a healthy gut is the key to a healthy life'. Especially in my line of work, where I'm constantly tasting a plethora of different foods on any given day, ensuring that my digestive system is happy and healthy is key. I start my morning off with one capsule and a litre of water.”

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    House-brewed kombucha: “Kombucha is not only good for you, but it's a healthy substitute for my Diet Coke addiction. Every once in a while, I'll add a splash of soda to our house-brewed kombucha to make it extra bubbly, but usually, I drink it plain. The key to a good kombucha is the mother scoby. I can't stress enough how important it is to keep your scoby clean to ensure you're only getting in good bacteria.”

Also read:

Your guide to the best health food suppliers in the country

10 superfoods you should eat for a healthier 2018

Recipe: 2 healthy chocolate desserts that don't compromise on taste

Believe it or not, these recipes actually make junk food healthy

3 nutritious dessert recipes that your child will love

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