TV presenter and 2017’s Celebrity Masterchef winner Angelica Bell tells us what she eats in a day.
6am
I have always been an early riser – I like to get on with the day. I need to make sure the children are ready and fed, without it being a manic morning for the school run. Even so, I always start my day with a cup of ginger herbal tea, or hot water and lemon.
7am
In the week, I’ll mainly stick to a breakfast of porridge with a homemade blueberry compote made with maple syrup and cinnamon, which I’ll make for the family. At the weekend, it may be scrambled eggs on toast or bagels with cream cheese. If I’m in a rush, I’ll grab some fruit.
11am
I may have an apple in my bag and always carry a bottle of water with me to keep hydrated – I like to drink at least two litres a day. When I don’t, I feel pretty sluggish.
1pm
I never have a heavy lunch but I will make sure I include a source of protein, even if I’m having a sandwich made with brown bread and tomatoes and cucumber on the side. If I’m out for lunch, I’ll have chicken or fish with vegetables.
3pm
In the afternoon, I like a snack and I won’t feel bad about it. Sometimes I’ll have plantain crisps or a biscuit. I just look at what I’ve eaten during the day and decide based on that. If I haven’t had at least two pieces of fruit at this stage, I’ll do it at this point.
7pm
Half an hour before dinner, I’ll sometimes take a Floradix supplement for my iron levels, which go up and down. Dinner will always be had as a family and could be lasagne with salad; roast chicken; seabass with potatoes and broccoli, or pesto pasta with lots of vegetables. Whatever we have in the fridge, I’ll use up – I hate food waste!
10pm
I need to sleep and don’t want the day to end to fall into bed. I tend to go to bed around 10pm, but will have at least two nights a week when I go to bed at about 7.30pm. Honestly, I know it’s extreme but it means I can be productive and feel good. I also snack less when I’m not tired. Before I go to bed, I take Seven Seas Cod Liver Oil tablets and WellWoman vitamins to keep my body and skin in check.
Fantastic Eats! (& How To Cook Them) by Angellica Bell (Quadrille, £15) is out on March 7th from Amazon and all good book shops.
The low-down
Nutritional therapist and author of The Balance Plan, Angelique Panagos (angeliquepanagos.com), gives her insight into Angellica’s day.
Angellica is getting a good range of fibre and antioxidants from the rainbow of fruit and vegetables. There are plenty of healthy fats for hormone balancing, too. I’d suggest that Angellica adds some nuts and seeds to porridge for additional protein and fats. Also looking at switching her bagel for sourdough bread which is better for her digestion. Topping the cream cheese with cucumbers and flaked salmon would also be a good way of getting additional nutrients. Angellica could try apple with nut butter and cinnamon as a snack – everyone I have suggested it to has loved it! Dinner sounds good with all the extra vegetables – Angellica could try a chickpea pasta or lentil pasta for something different and for additional protein.
