Let’s start at the beginning – with breakfast - non-breakfast eaters (you maniacs) just skip along. Porridge is my go-to breakfast, it’s minimally processed, low in fat, no added sugar and it’s so easy to pimp! You can add fruit, (frozen berries are brill), spices (I’m a sucker for cinnamon - helps lower blood sugar), seeds and if you’re looking for a little more protein in your diet you can add a spoonful of protein powder.

Seeds! Pumpkin, sunflower, sesame, linseeds. Full of protein, fibre and healthy fats. I always keep a jar of sweet seeds (dry pan toast first and then add maple syrup and cinnamon and/or mixed spice) for porridge and yogurt and a jar of savoury (dry pan toast first, then add tamari /soya sauce) for soups, stews etc.

Bread, pasta, rice – you know this one - switch the refined whites for wholegrain. The wholegrain versions are lower in sugar and higher in fibre, which we need for good digestion aka keeping things regular.

Stir Fries – remember the eighties when the answer to every vegetarian option was a stir fry? Well it’s time to get wokkin’ again (I just use an ordinary frying pan but can’t resist a pun). Stir fries are a quick and easy way to cook up a load of yummy veg AND include chilli, ginger and garlic – fantastic immune system boosters. A bit of soya or tamari sauce and you’re ready to go. They can even make kale edible (super nutritious but like eating thistles right?)

Stews, curries and soups – ‘tis the season for them. These are another way to up the veggie intake. I always start with a bit of olive oil and sauté onions, garlic and whatever is in the fridge that works well chopped e.g. celery, leeks, carrots, peppers, mushrooms, chilli, once they’re soft I either use tinned plum tomatoes or vegetable stock. I’ll add in 1-2 tins of beans, definitely will add in herbs (so good for you – they weren’t used for remedies for nothing ya know), maybe peas, wholegrain pasta, brussel sprouts (Stop that! I won’t hear a word against them). Use your fabulous imagination. These are perfect for batch cooking and freezing.

Buon appetito!