Fuel loaf

This loaf is dense, hearty and delicious - rich in protein, choline, fibre and healthy fats (all essential nutrients for pregnancy). It’s also great for your gut health which will help with managing any bowel issues (inevitable when pregnant or postpartum). Enjoy it as a nutritious snack or as a quick breakfast with some cottage cheese on top. It freezes really well and is lovely when toasted in a sandwich press.

Now, this might seem like a long list of ingredients, but if you have my book or follow me on Instagram, you will know that I use these ingredients ALL the time. They are part of my pantry staples and learning how to include them regularly in your day will be of great benefit because they are all nutritious foods!

Note: I am often asked where I buy my pantry staples. Every ingredient listed here (with the exception of the eggs which came from our backyard chickens) I buy from an online store called Part and Parcel. They have a huge range of good quality products at wholesale prices (think of it like a cheaper health food store online). If you would like to try them out, you can use the code RENEE20 for $20 off your first order over $99. I highly recommend!

Dry ingredients

1 cup oats

1 cup almond meal

1 cup pumpkin or sunflower seeds (I use a mixture of both)

1 1/2 cups dried dates, roughly chopped

1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped

1 cup desiccated coconut

1/4 cup psyllium husk*

Pinch salt

Wet ingredients

3 eggs

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

3 tbl maple syrup

Method

Preheat oven to 160 °C. Line a loaf tin with baking paper (or use a silicon tin).

Place all dry ingredients into a large bowl and mix.

Place all wet ingredients into a separate medium sized bowl and whisk together.

Add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Combine well.

Transfer the mixture into your prepared loaf tin. Press down hard with the back of a spoon until the mixture is tightly sitting in the loaf tin.

Bake for 50 minutes or until golden on top. Allow to cool for 10 minutes in the tin, then place on a wire rack to finish cooling.

Eat it as it is, or toast it in a sandwich press. A good spread of butter or ricotta is a nice addition.

*If you don't have psyllium husk, you can substitute for 1 tbl chia seeds soaked in 2 tbl water (leave to soak for 10 minutes). Or you can buy some psyllium husk and add it to smoothies, porridge or yoghurt - it's a great source of fibre!