For a healthy life, we must have a balanced diet, and because it's the New Year, this has become even more important to many people. This diet should include fruit and vegetables, carbohydrates, dairy, protein and a small amount of sugary and fatty food. Here are 3 delicious desserts, lunches and dinners that you can make to create a healthy diet.

REMEMBER, BEFORE YOU START COOKING, WASH YOUR HANDS AND GET AND ADULT TO HELP YOU!

RECIPE ONE- Dark Chocolate, Banana and Rye Loaf

50ml extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for greasing

150g rye flour

100g spelt flour

2 tsp baking powder

50g of cocoa powder

2 large eggs, beaten

200ml of coconut milk

80ml of maple syrup

3 ripe bananas, mashed

50g dark chocolate, roughly chopped

1. Preheat the oven at 180C/ 160C gas mark 4. Grease and line a 900g loaf tin.

2. In a large bowl, combine all the dry ingredients except the chocolate. In a separate bowl, whisk together the oil, eggs, coconut milk and maple syrup, then stir in the bananas. Pour the wet ingredients onto the dry ingredients and stir to combine. Add the chocolate, then spoon into the prepared tin.

3. Bake in the centre of the oven for 50- 55 minutes until a skewer inserted into the middle of the loaf comes out clean. Leave this delicious loaf to cool in the tin, then remove it and cut it into slices to serve. If you want to keep some for later on, you can keep the loaf in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days, or freeze up to 3 months- warm in the oven before serving.

RECIPE TWO- Tuna, Avocado and Quinoa Salad

100g of quinoa

3tbsp of extra- virgin olive oil

Juice of one lemon

1/2 tbsp of white wine vinegar

120g canned tuna, drained

1 avocado, stoned, peeled and cut into chunks

200g of cherry tomatoes, on the vine, halved

50g feta cheese, crumbled

50g baby spinach

2tbsp mixed seeds, toasted

1. Rinse the quinoa under cold water. Tip into a saucepan, cover with water and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes until the grains have swollen but still have some bite. Drain, then transfer to a bowl to cool slightly.

2. Meanwhile, in a jug, combine the oil, lemon juice and vinegar with some seasoning.

3. Once the quinoa has cooled, mix the dressing and all the remaining ingredients and season. Divide between plates or lunchboxes.

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