Photograph of Apple and Walnut Bircher-style museli

Apple and Walnut Bircher Style Muesli

Occasionally, I attempt to rein in my waistline, which after three children and a dodgy thyroid is perhaps larger than it should be. Unfortunately, going on a trendy diet or indeed any diet, is virtually impossible to maintain.

The 5:2 diet is appealing because you only have to suffer for two days a week and the rest of the time you eat normally (or hopefully slightly more sensibly than normal). It’s tough sticking to 600 calories for a day, but you do get that first-day-of-a-diet-aren’t-I-doing-well feeling twice a week, without having to keep it up forever and ever amen.

I think the principle involved is tricking your metabolism into thinking you need to burn MORE calories to search for food rather than trying to shut down and conserve calories which is what happens in a normal diet. I tried it, but it wasn’t for me. One of the key issues of ADHD is a general inability to keep up any routine, especially one you’re not enjoying.

Anyway, you can try this Bircher style muesli, if you like, and see how you get on, while I will most likely be heading for the box of Weetos as per usual.

Apple and walnut Bircher muesli

  • 30g rolled oats
  • 80ml apple juice
  • natural yoghurt
  • 1 apple, grated
  • 5 walnut halves, chopped and toasted
  • honey or maple syrup for drizzling

Soak 30g the rolled oats overnight in the apple juice. Top with a dollop of natural yogurt, the grated apple and toasted walnuts. Drizzle with honey or maple syrup. Healthy and filling (if you can get it together to put the oats in to soak).

Invented by physician Maximillian Bircher-Benner circa 1900, for treatment of his patients; the word muesli comes from the root “Mues”, to puree or mash up.

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