Eating Healthy Made Easy with Leo Foods
Covid-19. Just saying the words makes you scowl, doesn’t it? We don’t blame you! This ongoing global pandemic has brought about 180-degree changes to our personal and professional lives, limited our family and social interactions, forced us indoors for much longer than we could ever want (especially difficult when you’re living on the Costa del Sol!), effected our routines, and altered the way we go about even the simplest and most mundane aspects of our everyday lives. We know: you don’t need us to tell you how high stress levels are these days. But did you realise that it is these higher levels of stress that may be to blame for your struggles to eat healthier? When the body experiences stress, one of the first things it does is crave high-calorie and high-sugar foods because these provide quick energy, exactly what your body instinctively needs for a fight or flight situation. Higher cortisol (stress hormone) levels also increase appetite, and sugary foods trigger the production of dopamine, the “happy hormone”, which can give you an instant (if short-lived) burst of joy in an otherwise anxiety-infused situation. All of which are important for your psychological well-being during this difficult time, but less positive for your physical and long-term health.
Healthy Eating with Leo Foods
If you struggled (or are struggling) with eating healthily during the Covid-19 pandemic, the first thing to remember is: don’t be too hard on yourself. Not only is it important to always be kind to yourself, stressing about your less-than-ideal eating habits will only exasperate the situation more, causing a never-ending cycle that will be harder and harder to break.
But, if, like many of us, eating healthy is one of your goals, either to start or to maintain as we begin to see the light at the end of the Covid-19 tunnel, Leo Foods can help. We stock an extensive variety of healthy foods for organic food, superfood and whole food enthusiasts, vegans, vegetarians, or those with allergies or are on special diets like gluten-free, dairy-free, lactose-free, and more.
An Incredible Healthy Foods Selection
Stocking a full range of healthy foods and drinks means you can find everything you’re looking for in one place, stress-free. From well-known and trusted brands like Eco Basics, Doves Farm, Bionsan, Biona, Meridian, Tender Jack, Peas of Heaven, Naturya, Amazonia, Green Origins, Saludviva, Yogi, Sweet Revolution, Booja-Booja, Ecomil, Oatly, and more, some of the amazing foods you can find at Leo Foods include:
- Grains, Pulses, Oats and Cereals: Organic rices, wheat germ, spelt, buckwheat, lentils, beans, chickpeas, wheatgrain, organic and gluten-free oatmeal, organic cereals, granola, and a variety of mueslis, perfect for cooking filling meals that give you sustained energy all day long.
- Oils, Ghees and Nut Butters: almond oil, coconut oil, castor oil, groundnut oil, linseed oil, mustard oil, sesame oil, sunflower oil, vegetable oil, olive oil, flaxseed oil, avocado oil, ghees (including organic and vegetarian ghee), peanut butter, cashew butter, hazelnut butter, almond butter and more taste great on morning toast and add a burst of healthy fats that your body needs.
- Superfoods and Protein Powders: maca powder, spirulina powder, acai powder, baobab powder, protein powders in a variety of flavours, cocoa nibs, pea protein, cacao powder, activated charcoal powder, chlorella powder, hemp seeds, cocoa butter and more. Mix into your favourite smoothies or smoothie bowls for an added punch of healthy goodness!
- Non-Dairy Milks & Creams: cashew milk, almond milk, coconut milk, hazelnut milk, oat milk, coconut cream, almond cream, and non-dairy spray and liquid whipping creams. Lower in fat than cow’s milk and completely plant-based for those on a lactose-free or vegan diet.
- Flours and Mixes: If you love baking but are looking for a way to make your baked goods meet your dietary needs, come to Leo Foods! We carry organic and gluten free pancake, sponge, pizza base and bread mixes, quinoa pancake mix, white, gluten-free flour, lentil flour, tapioca flour, buckwheat flour, maize flour, chickpea flour, wheat flour, spelt flour, rye flour, corn flour, and more.
- Frozen Foods: smoothie mixes, frozen fruit and fruit pulps (strawberries, blackberries, pineapple, acai, cherries) etc. Don’t forget your protein powder and mix-ins to make your morning smoothie a complete (and healthy!) breakfast!
- Meat Substitutes: Vegans and vegetarians don’t have to go without any of their favourite foods! Pick up pea-protein based vegan meatballs, vegan mince, vegan sausages, vegan hot dogs, vegan chorizo, and vegan roast beef, jackfruit “meat” in a variety of flavours, tofu, tempeh, seitan or textured soy for the meaty texture you’re looking for in your favourite meals, completely animal-free!
- Nuts, Seeds, and Dried Fruit: As a snack or as an ingredient in your sweet or savoury dishes, nuts, seeds, and dried fruits are a pantry staple! Pick up your almonds (powdered, slivered, whole, and sliced), brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, walnuts (including caramelized walnuts), peanuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, linseed, poppy seeds, dried apricots, figs, prunes, raisins, sultanas, desicated coconut, goji berries, dried cranberries, and a variety of healthy and yummy cocktail mixes at our cash and carry warehouse or on our eshop today!
- Sweeteners and Sauces: Not a fan of white sugar? No problem! At Leo Foods, we have a range of sugar alternatives for you to try! Organic agave syrup, organic black treacle, coconut sugar, stevia extract, and honey (including local, organic, and vegan varieties) are all in stock. Don’t forget liquid aminos, balsamic vinegar, apple cider vinegar, and other sauces to add that extra flavour you’re looking for with a healthy kick!
- Sweets and Snacks: Indulge smart with healthier versions of your favourite treats! We have vegan ice creams, blue corn tortilla chips, gluten-free cookies, pronuts, vegan chocolate, cocoa nibs, dark chocolate and more.
- Drinks: fair trade hot chocolate, ayurvedic teas, herbal infusions, fair trade coffees, superfood lattes, as well as a variety of fruit juices. A bigger variety and at better prices than you’ll find at your traditional health food stores.
Healthy Food Retailer and Wholesaler
At Leo Foods, we welcome visitors to shop with us at our international supermarket in Marbella or online through our new eShop where you’ll find incredible – and healthy foods and drinks, supplements, and more, all at prices lower than local health food shops. If you are in the restaurant, catering, or hospitality business, we also carry larger packages of our products at wholesale prices so that you can offer your clients the healthy foods they’re looking for. Simply sign up for a trade account here to get started! We even stock coconut bowls, wooden spoons and forks, paper straws, plant-based take-away food and drink containers and carrier bags by Vegware, even bio cleaning products from Bioleaf for everything all our environmentally-conscious customers could want or need!
Finding your favourite healthy foods or trying something new has never been easier! Pop in and visit our cash and carry warehouse Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturday or check out our eCatalogue or eShop to browse or shop with us anytime!
