I’m blessed because I don’t have a sweet tooth and I don’t eat junk food. I see a lot of people with eating disorders. Luckily I have never had one myself.
Fish: I like any kind of fish. At the moment I have a particular thing for tilapia and barramundi, although I really like cod as well, and sardines — fresh ones rather than tinned.
Chicken: I like it roasted the good old-fashioned way. I always have a batch of chicken soup in the freezer for when someone gets sick.
Vegetables: I like exotic ones like asparagus and artichokes.
Fruit: Again, I’m a fan of exotic fruit, like passion fruit and mango.
Pickled cucumbers: I could eat a whole jar in one go. I love olives too — anything that’s pickled, really.
Dietician Joan Wides writes:
Monica’s food choices are adventurous and add variety to her diet. Since no one food has all the nutrients the body needs, it is a good idea to eat a wide range of foods to obtain all the necessary nutrients. Trying the more unusual types of fruit and vegetables may win over those who lack motivation to eat the daily recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables.
For those who will only eat fish when it is fried, hitherto untried fish can be steamed, grilled or baked to provide fresh, interesting tastes, together with low-fat protein, vitamins and minerals. Where Monica does keep to the traditional favourites of roast chicken and chicken soup, she can continue to eat healthily by removing surplus fat.
She should avoid too many salted and pickled foods since salt and salt preserved foods are a probable cause of some cancers.
Monica Black is a master hypnotherapist. Her website is www.hampsteadhypnotherapy.com