Foreword by Dr James Muecke AM MBBS (Hons) FRANZCO
Australian of the Year 2020
Ophthalmologist
Chairman Sight For All
A healthy diet is something that's very important to me. In my 30-year career as an ophthalmologist, I've seen firsthand the damage wrought by type 2 diabetes. The disease is the leading cause of blindness in working-age adult Australians. Diabetic retinopathy, a diabetes complication that affects the eyes, has no symptoms in the early stages and, if it's not treated in time, can cause complete and irreversible blindness.
Type 2 diabetes is almost entirely preventable and yet the disease now affects close to one in ten Australians. Obesity is a major risk factor for the disease and one of the main ways it can be prevented, and even reversed, is through diet.
As a nation, our consumption of sugar, refined carbs and junk food is way too high. We need to cut down on sweet ultra-processed foods and get back to buying fresh, unprocessed ingredients and cooking our own food. Any initiatives that encourage the eating of real food, such as this book, should be promoted and celebrated.
As Dr Samantha Pillay points out, cooking your own food means you know exactly what's gone into it - there are no hidden sugars or other nasty surprises. You have total control.
In my medical career, I've seen so many people who simply lack the tools they need to lead a healthy lifestyle. This book will give you some of these tools.
If you don't know how to cook or just want to limit the amount of unhealthy takeaway food you eat, The No Recipe Cookbook could be the help you need to change your life. Dr Pillay's simple, straightforward method is easy to follow and will have you eager to get into the kitchen and start experimenting. Most of her meal ideas really are faster than ordering a takeaway and they're definitely healthier.
If this book can help even a handful of people to start cooking for themselves, it will be a step in the right direction. Let's all get into the kitchen and start taking back control over what we eat.
Your health is in your hands.
"While all this time cooking at home can be wonderful for some, it can be daunting and stressful, especially for all of us that are balancing busy work and life. Perfection is not the goal in the kitchen, but sustainability and satisfaction are. Everyone has a right for good and nutritious food. This is a perfect cookbook for nomads, trailblazers, dreamers, explorers, and visionaries - some quick hacks, bold ideas (a cookbook with no recipes!), and a few bigger ideas that challenge how we can think about food."
Nina Kurth, Technologist and Business Advisor,
Amazon Web Services, New York City,
Co-Chair, Advisory Board, The Finnish
Cultural Institute in New York
