DietPixie discovers how real women look good and stay healthy

It’s all well and good to get the inside info on Charlotte Church’s home gym or what type of fruit we should eat to get a flatter stomach, but isn’t it more useful and refreshing to hear how real women diet?

Many of us juggle high-pressure jobs and a busy home life, with barely a second to even think about going to the gym.

In the first of many interviews with ladies just like us, DietPixie speaks to student Ellen Shaw, 22, from Nottingham, about her daily routine.

What do you eat on a typical day? I’m usually naughty and skip breakfast. Then for lunch I may have a jacket potato with tuna mayo - I can’t eat gluten or wheat flour, which makes things really difficult, especially if I am out for lunch. Or I have a packet of Snack-a-Jacks and a yoghurt. If I am at home, my mum will cook me a nutritious meal packed with vegetables for dinner. If I am at uni, I am tight on money and effort - I’ll usually cook up some wheat-free pasta with mushrooms and pesto.

What’s the worst diet you’ve ever followed? Weight Watchers didn’t work for me - I found it really hard to eat 21 points a day. On average, I only ate between 12 and 14. It was really difficult to eat that much more food a day and I didn’t lose much weight!

Are there any foods you try to eat regularly? Chocolate. I don’t try - it just happens! I try to eat mushrooms a lot as I like them and they aren’t bad for me!

What’s the best meal you’ve ever eaten? For taste? Easy - Beef Red Thai Curry - cooked by a Thai person.

Which item is a staple in your cupboard/fridge? Skimmed milk (gallons of it) and potatoes.

What’s your favourite comfort food? Cheese on toast, definitely!

What do you do to keep fit? That is a real problem area! I drive everywhere because it’s easier to and I can’t afford the gym. I guess the nearest thing to exercise would be dancing on a night out - which only happens a couple of times a month.

Do you take any vitamins or supplements? Yes. Calcium tablets, multi-vitamins + iron, zinc, vitamin C and garlic too!

What do you do to relax? Listen to music, watch films at home or go to the cinema.

What’s your ultimate tip for wellbeing? I feel good when I have taken a slow shower, then moisturised, done my nails and pampered myself with some music on in the background. For some reason, on those days my hair always works, my make-up looks fine and I feel good about myself. I do believe that drinking water and fruit juice is good for you; I can definitely tell the difference when I haven’t drunk much in a day.

What’s your diet motto? Why bother dieting when food just tastes so damn good?!