The notepad: Tanya Azmi

Tanya Azmi, managing partner at the tantalizing Thai-cuisine restaurant Fuchsia in Karachi and Dubai, is here to rescue us with a list of her five must-have power foods

Steel-cut oats



This makes for the best breakfast ever. There is nothing better to wake up to than these and I recommend trying them with coconut milk to really enjoy the goodness.

Avocados



Who doesn’t love avocados? It is probably the most versatile fruit around and is a great source of healthy fats. You can use it to make guacamole, to eat on wholegrain bread, in salads or to add to smoothies! I diversify the use of them in the food that I prepare for myself at home.

Raw cacao



This tops my power foods list and is an absolute favourite. You can pop it into a smoothie and you’re good to go. It also helps with those monstrous chocolate cravings and boosts energy levels. This is especially good pre or post workout, for those who like to keep their body and nutrition goals in check.

Coconut milk



The list would be incomplete without this super-food. For me, anything coconut works — be it in the form of oil, water, or dried pieces. The milk is also much more nutritious than regular milk, an alternative for those who don’t like the taste of milk, and a lot more refreshing!

Organic peanut butter



I can’t live without this because it tastes great with almost anything. Another bonus is that it’s very easy to do at home. Try it in different ways and make your own version. It makes for an amazing snack with apples or bananas and is even good on a spoon!