Delicious bites from a diet diva

Weary of the tussle with diabetes? Tried every diet regime to shed those extra kilos but in vain? Don't worry, as BiteRite brings back the joy of savouring delicious food both inside and outside home.

Seema Shetty, executive director of the NMC Group and its subsidiaries, has helped countless diabetics and geriatric patients.

She conceptualised BiteRite, which offers food products for people with special diet requirements.

In a tête-à-tête with Unwind, Shetty speaks about her successful venture.

What is BiteRite?

BiteRite is a food line aimed at providing a healthy lifestyle for people [suffering from] diabetes, hypertension and obesity.

Its menus and items come in a variety of cuisines — Indian, Chinese, Continental, Arabic and Japanese. They are low in sodium, cholesterol and calories.

They have been developed and screened by endocrinologists, nutritionists and expert chefs.

How did BiteRite come about?

It kicked off three years ago when my nutritionist asked me to change my lifestyle and limit my intake to 1,500 calories.

“Imagine how it is for us diabetics,'' my parents said. That was when I realised the troubles diabetics face.

I pulled together a team that was going to bring down the number of diabetics in the UAE.

Will people consuming BiteRite products have low diabetes level?

BiteRite's focus is on preventive care. It will not work all on its own. But with the involvement of its partners, it will provide a complete solution.

What are BiteRite's services?

It caters to all dining needs — from home delivery, takeaways and private parties to customised orders.

Apart from a unique gourmet experience, there are general sugar-free products including chocolates, jams and spreads available in supermarkets.

Was dedicating a company to just healthy food tough?

If you think something is missing in the world, you fill the gap. Thousands of people will join you. Difficulties will come your way.

I learnt three times as much, as I surveyed solutions from experts to handle the problems.

— Layla Haroon is a UAE-based freelance writer

Treat your taste buds to recipes from across the globe

Recipes by head chef Ajay Kumar, BiteRite Resto Café.

Jalapeno maki sushi (Appetiser)

A Japanese delight: brown rice cooked in vinegar, boiled carrot, jalapeno Splenda and low-sodium salt, spread on seaweed. The preparation is rolled, cut and served with wasabi and soya sauce.

Ingredients:

Method:

Place a noori sheet on the bamboo mat. Mix cooked brown rice with 5g of wasabi paste and spread it on the sheet.

Place julienned carrot and jalapeno on top of the rice. Roll the sheet and cut into five pieces.

Serve with soya sauce and wasabi dips.

Each serving: Protein: 4.55g; Fat: 0.8g; Carbohydrate: 22.83g; Calories 120.5; Fibre: 1.64g; Sodium: 934mg

Lemon chicken soup (Mediterranean)

Chicken simmered in chicken stock with Mediterranean spices and lemon juice.

Ingredients:

Method:

Heat the pan, add 250ml of water and chicken stock; let it boil.

Julienne the chicken, carrot, red capsicum and basil; add to the stock.

Add salt and skimmed milk to the boiled soup.

Boil once more and add the cornflour for thickening. It's ready.

Each serving: Protein: 4.02g; Fat: 1.33g; Carbohydrate:13.21g; Calories: 38.89; Fibre: 1g; Sodium: 275.36mg

Cheese-and-broccoli sandwich (Continental)

Fresh BiteRite bread stuffed with fat-free cream cheese and broccoli

Ingredients:

Method:

Take two slices of wholemeal bread. Mix the cheese with broccoli, chopped onion, pepper and fresh parsley.

Spread the mixture on a slice, covering it with another.

Remove the sides and cut into four pieces. Serve with garnish.

Each serving: Protein: 11.26g; Fat: 2.49g; Carbohydrates: 30.14g; Calories: 186; Fibre: 5.1g; Sodium: 507mg

Dory fish with mushroom sauce (Continental)

Dory marinated with herbs and vinegar, then grilled and served with mushroom sauce.

Ingredients:

Dory fillet:

Mushroom sauce:

Method:

Marinate the fish with vinegar, salt and pepper. Leave it for 10 to 15 minutes.

Grill the fish at 356°F for ten minutes. The fish is ready to be served with mushroom sauce.

To make the sauce: Sauté the chopped mushrooms.

Add 200ml water and allow to boil for three minutes. Add basil, ground pepper and BBQ sauce. Bring to a boil and add cornflour to thicken.

Each serving: Protein: 17.52g; Fat: 2.38g; Carbohydrate: 6.11g; Calories: 75.61; Fibre: 1.1g; Sodium: 393.61mg

Seafood salad (Continental)

Smoked salmon, onion and iceberg lettuce mixed with mayonnaise and lemon juice

Ingredients:

Method:

Cut the lettuce. Chop the parsley and mix it with the lettuce and prepare the dressing.

Place the smoked salmon on top of the salad. Garnish with lollo rosso, parsley and tomatoes.

To make the dressing: Mix light mayo, paprika powder, lemon juice, onion and salt.

Each serving: Protein: 5.71g; Fat: 5.39g; Carbohydrate: 5.01g; Calories: 88.72; Fibre: 1.61g; Sodium: 279.19mg

Fresh fruit custard (Continental)

Custard with apples, kiwis, grapes and pineapple.

Ingredients:

Method:

Boil the skimmed milk and add custard powder; mix until it's smooth.

Add Splenda and vanilla essence and allow it to cool. Cut the fruits into small cubes and add them to the custard.

Pour the custard into a glass; garnish with apples.

Each serving: Protein: 3.92g, Fat: 0.52g, Carbohydrate: 17.36g, Calories: 85, Fibre: 1g, Sodium: 66mg