Australian food critic Matt Preston shared his all-time favorite meal and offered insights into his daily eating habits, with a gut health doctor providing a clinical rating for each.
Preston's number one dish is a classic Neapolitan-style pizza topped with rocket, prosciutto, cheese, and tomato, described as "not overloaded" and "an artisan" creation. Gastroenterologist Dr. Paul Froomes rated this pizza a 5 out of 10 for its impact on the gut microbiome.
For lunch, Preston typically prepares wraps using a base of red lentils, oats, and chia seeds, which he makes in batches and freezes. He tops these wraps with either a hard-boiled egg salad or a combination of cottage cheese, fennel, and smoked salmon. Dr. Froomes awarded this lunch option a 9 out of 10.
Leftovers often form the basis of his third meal. Preston combines pasta from the previous night with fresh leeks and sugar snap peas. The sauce is made with cottage cheese blended with frozen peas, and sometimes an egg is added for extra protein. This dish received a perfect 10 out of 10 from Dr. Froomes, who noted it covered prebiotics, protein, and healthy fats.
Preston also described a healthier twist on pizza, using a microwaved sweet potato as a base, mixed with nutritional yeast and parmesan. This is topped with cooked chicken breast, jalapeños, and spring onion, then baked until crispy. Dr. Froomes rated this sweet potato-based dish a 9 out of 10, highlighting its resistant starch, sulfoquinovose from spices, and lean protein.
For dessert, Preston's go-to is homemade ice cream made from frozen Greek yogurt mixed with protein powder and berries. He calls this a "healthy treat." Dr. Froomes gave this dessert an 8 out of 10, appreciating the absence of added sugar and the inclusion of probiotic yogurt and protein powder.