Okie Dokie, Let's Eat Poke!

It's not very often that the latest food craze causes a health crazed dietitian's heart to leap. In fact, it has been quite the opposite over the last few years with the rise of mega fast food outlets, deep fried doughnuts, bottomless soda machines, just to mention a few. But this one got me thinking.

Okie dokie, but what is Poke? Poke (pronounced pok-keh) is the latest global food craze to hit the shores of the South Africa. In short, it is a one bowl wonder of chopped goodies made typically with Asian and Hawaiian influences. But the secret is in the way it's fresh ingredients are layered and sauced together.

My Saturday night homemade Poke bowl was layered from bottom to top with noodles, chopped up veg (cucumber, spring onion, onion & carrots), nuts (almonds & cashews), diced fresh fish (I used salmon but you can also use tuna) marinated in a sesame oil & Ponzu (a citrus soya sauce) sauce topped with avocado and sesame seeds. As I dished up, my heart leapt because I knew it would be both delicious and nutritious.

You see, my heart leapt because this dish represents exactly how we all need to structure our meals. It highlights every dietitian's outlook on eating and hence my excitement to try it out. It's a food trend that focus's on the balance we all need to strive for. The dish includes all the foods that should be found typically on your plate (protein, vegetables and carb's) and represents how all our dishes should be structured.

So, with caution, follow the trends, eat out, live life - but remember the balance.

Until next time,

Your dietitian friend,

Nikki Verwey

My Poke Tips: Remember to not go overboard with the sesame oil & Ponzu sauce. The sesame oil will add too many extra calories (which we definitely don't want) & the Ponzu sauce is high in sodium. For a veggie alternative, simply add beans and lentils and you're A-for-away!

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