Eat with Me: With Yalda Alaoui

As a Naturopathic Nutritionist and founder of the wellness platform Eat Burn Sleep, Yalda Alaoui has spent over a decade performing groundbreaking research in the fields of inflammation and gut health in a mission to help herself and others. Yalda was diagnosed with two auto-immune diseases; Ulcerative Colitis (in 2017) and Auto-Immune Haemolytic Anaemia (in 2012), and though she has always had a passion for wellness, it was these diagnoses that kick started her extensive research into nutrition and health. Today, Yalda is healthier than ever and educates and inspires people across the world with the recipes, eating plans, meditations and fitness routines that make up her anti-inflammatory lifestyle.

When do you usually wake up in the morning? Are you a morning person?

I am a morning person, I wake up around 7am.

Can you tell us a little bit about your morning routine? What’s the first thing you do? 

I make myself both tea and coffee, generally herbal or oolong tea, and a black cup of coffee. I then put moisturizer on first thing in the morning, before doing a 20 to 30 minute home workout.

What’s your skincare routine?

I’m currently using Dr. Barbara Sturm’s HYALURONC AMPOULES and for moisturizer, I like to alternate between a few different ones but I love Dr. Sturm’s FACE CREAM. I’ll always apply an SPF afterwards. 

CLEANSER, HYALURONIC SERUM AND FACE CREAM

Do you eat breakfast? If so, what’s your go-to?

Yes, I generally do, unless I have had a big dinner, in which case I just have an apple. I like to start with an apple or berries. Next, I have eggs (I love my mushroom and spinach omelet, or my dairy-free scrambled eggs) or for something sweet, I like my paleo pancakes or light banana bread. All of these options are allowed on the `Eat Burn Sleep’ lifestyle and are dairy and grain-free.

Do you take any supplements? Can you tell us what they are and why you take them?

I sometimes do take supplements but only when needed. I do take Vitamin D every year, as being of Moroccan and Persian descent, I need more sun exposure than what I get in London. The darker our skin, the more sun we need for optimal Vitamin D levels. I take a Vitamin B complex for about a month twice a year and around my bi-annual liver detox, which is shared on the Eat Burn Sleep platform. I like to take L-Lysine and Zinc Picolinate whenever my immune system needs a boost. I also take omega-3 fish oils over the course of a month, a few times a year.

Are you a coffee or tea drinker?

I love my Moroccan Spice Coffee, which is packed with anti-inflammatory spices and tastes delicious. I love green tea, oolong tea, houjicha tea, which is a type of Japanese green tea and many more. I am a real tea lover.

Do you snack in between breakfast and lunch? What are some of your favorite snacks?

I try to avoid snacking but if I am desperate for something sweet, I love my paleo energy bars. They are totally addictive!

How much water will you drink in a day?

Around two liters.

What’s your go-to lunch?

I love fish. I have fish and vegetables for lunch most days. It can be a salmon poke bowl with quinoa, or grilled seabass with steamed spinach, or a delicious tuna niçoise salad.

If you go out for lunch or get takeout, what’s your favorite restaurant?

The food scene in London is amazing, I would not know where to start! Some of my old favorites are: The River Cafe, Min Jiang, Wiltons, Scott's, Casa Cruz and I love breakfast at the Connaught, Kiku and La Petite Maison.

Do you snack in the afternoon for a pick-me-up?

Generally I need a pick-me-up around 5pm. I love a sliced apple, sprinkled with cinnamon and sea salt. If I am craving sugar, I like to have a slice of my guilt-free dairy and gluten-free banana bread or my anti-cravings shake.

What’s your ideal dinner? Are you a good cook? What recipe books do you always turn to?

I love cooking and I like comfort foods for dinner like my Mediterranean Roast Chicken and Vegetables, Immune Boosting Chicken Soup, Sweet Potato Cottage Pie or Indian Eggplant Curry. 

What about dessert? Do you have a sweet tooth?

I do! One of my favorite desserts is my Mandarin and Almond Cake as it is so light - the recipe calls for no fat - and my Two-Ingredient Dark Chocolate Mousse Pots, which are high in magnesium and protein, dairy-free, grain-free and gluten-free.

Do you drink? If so, do you have a favorite cocktail?

Yes I do. I am a fine wine lover. Burgundy, Bordeaux and mineral light white wines are my favorite.

How about before you go to bed? Do you have a favorite bedtime tea or a ritual that helps you sleep?

I generally have a cup of fennel tea, leave my phone to charge in my kitchen and read a real book (not a digital one).

YALDA ALAOUI on WEIGHT AND INFLAMMATION