"I never resist temptation, because I have found that things that are bad for me do not tempt me."
(George Bernard Shaw)

Apart from my trouble with breast cancer, I am one of the healthiest people I know. I can't remember the last time I had a cold or any other ailments, except perhaps the occasional headache - but that's usually caused by the hormonal medication I am now on.

Like I already said, I have been a vegetarian since I the age of thirteen. I always found meat repulsive and have never missed it. I do eat fish but gave up on dairy products after reading Jane Plant's book (see my Books section). Even if it doesn't help for my breast cancer, I would not go back to eating dairy because of all the other benefits I've reaped. I find that my skin is much clearer and smoother, I am trimmer than I used to be and it has regularised the bowel department too.

I have been inspired by Dr Gillian McKeith's book (see my Books section), and introduced further small changes into my diet. So what don't I eat? Meat in any shape or form, whether red or white; anything containing milk or milk derivatives such as casein, lactose, whey, milk protein; products containing hydrogenated vegetable oil; products containing aspartame and artificial colourings, flavourings etc; processed foods as much as I can avoid it; fizzy drinks; coffee; black tea.

What do I eat? I try to cook everything from fresh, using products which are as natural as possible, and making sure that my diet is as balanced as possible. In particular, I consume the following things on a regular or daily basis:

  • olive oil (instead of butter or margarine)
  • soya milk/spread/cream/yoghurts (instead of ordinary milk, butter, cream, yoghurt)
  • garlic and onions
  • vegetables containing beta-carotene (such as carrots, butternut squash, pumpkin, red peppers)
  • green vegetables (such as brussels sprouts, broccoli, spinach)
  • fresh fruit
  • fish containing omega 3 oils (such as salmon, sardines and tuna)
  • nuts
  • beans
  • green tea
  • rooibos (redbush) tea

I also choose from one source of proteins every day, either fish, Quorn (meat substitute), tofu, eggs or dried beans; drink between 1.5 to 2 litres of filtered water (or mineral water) per day, and herbal tea instead of fizzy drinks or coffee. You may think that this way of eating sounds extremely boring but I am not someone who lets herself be bored! I actually like strong tastes and my favourite cuisine is Thai. Using lots of herbs, spices, coconut milk, garlic and a bit of imagination greatly enhances any low-fat diet.

Further, I take one strong anti-oxidant supplement per day, and 2 x 100mg of the Q10 supplement, which was used in Denmark in a study on the effects of the substance Q10 on women with breast cancer.

I don't smoke but I do drink occasionally - in fact I am quite partial to a bottle of Moet & Chandon champagne and decent red wine. I do sin occasionally too by allowing myself a croissant or two (full of butter!), and crisps (especially if the label doesn't reveal anything too artificial). I figure that if I get it right 80% of the time, the remaining 20% can't hurt!