Health

Reality star India Reynolds, 29, on learning to accept her natural curves and the surprising benefits of following a vegan diet ‘Love Island gave me confidence’ HEIGHT 5FT 5IN WEIGHT 9ST 7LB DRESS SIZE 1 0 MY DIET SECRETS HEALTH

Hi India! How often do you work out? I try to exercise three times a week, even if it’s not going to the gym. I like going on long dog walks and doing a bit of yoga in the morning. What do you do in the gym? Circuits and cardio. Even if it’s only for 20 minutes, as long as I know I’ve worked hard, I’m ready for the day. Are you body confident? Yeah, I think so. I’ve modelled for a long time so I’m aware of my body and I’ve got used to it. I used to be really strict with going to the gym and dieting, but as I’ve got older I’ve learnt to be more accepting. Does being in the public eye make you feel under more pressure to look good? Since doing Love Island, I almost feel less pressure to look a certain way. Before, when I was modelling, you were always looking at the girls around you, whereas now I feel like it’s better to represent a natural body shape. Do you have a favourite part of your body? I’ve got quite good boobs! Are you a healthy eater? I’ve been vegan for two and a half years so I feel like that makes me healthier – mainly because it’s harder to eat cake! I gave it a go

after watching documentaries about it. I lost a bit of weight at the start, but it’s also had other benefits – my hair used to be thin and now it feels thicker.

Do you have a favourite meal? Something homely like a vegan shepherd’s pie. What’s your go-to takeaway? Pizza Express do really good pizzas with vegan mozzarella. What’s your guilty pleasure? I like chocolate a lot. It’s annoying sometimes because if I’m craving it when I’m out and about, it isn’t always easy to get vegan chocolate. Have you ever tried any diets? I’ve done a lot of shake diets and also counting carbs and calories. I used to stick to it for a bit and get results, but it made me miserable. I love food so much! What’s your top health tip? If you want to lose weight, do things you can incorporate into your lifestyle. Don’t start ridiculous ways of eating that are so far from what you’re used to. Make small changes.

India is an ambassador for Boohoo. For more information, see boohoo.com

MY FOOD DIARY

Protein porridge with a banana

Vegan salad from Pret with falafel, houmous, brown rice, quinoa, cabbage, carrot and cucumber

Sweetcorn and mushroom pie with mashed potato and broccoli and peas

Follow Ian Marber on Twitter @ianmarber NUTRITION CONSULTANT IAN MARBER SAYS… “While oats are indeed a grain, they contain a notable amount of protein and a 100g serving offers almost 17g of protein. It’s not necessary to add more, especially if it’s a supplement. India might be better off adding some walnuts, which provide protein as well as some omega 3 fats.

“India eats a really good mix of foods, and lunch highlights that these days great vegan options can be found on the high street. Most of us get only 18g of fibre a day, but we need around 30g. It seems that India is getting the recommended amount, which is unusual. “Overall, this is a very good vegan diet, with decent amounts of protein as well as fibre.”

R E C I P E O F T H E WEEK MAKES 12

Fo r a g o rg e o u s d e s s e r t , w a rm u p a b ro w n i e a n d t o p w i t h a d ri z z l e o f ch o c o l a t e s a u c e GOOEY CHOCOLATE BROWNIES

INGREDIENTS 100g 70% cocoa dark chocolate 100g butter 3 eggs 225g caster sugar 50g Horlicks Chocolate Malt Drink Pinch of salt 1 vanilla pod or 1tsp vanilla essence 50g plain flour 50g dark chocolate chunks 50g white chocolate chunks 50g milk chocolate chunks

METHOD ■ Preheat the oven to 175°C/Gas Mark 4. ■ Melt 100g dark chocolate along with the butter in a bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Once melted, take off the heat. ■ In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar for about 10 minutes until thickened and very pale yellow. Gently fold the melted chocolate mix into the whisked eggs. ■ Mix together the Horlicks Chocolate, salt, vanilla and flour. Add to the egg mixture and fold in half of the chocolate chunks. ■ Pour into a lined tray and sprinkle the remaining chocolate on top. Bake for 20 minutes. Cool for 1 hour before turning out. ■ Slice into 12 pieces and serve with chocolate sauce if desired.

Recipe from horlicks.co.uk. Horlicks Original, Horlicks Chocolate and Horlicks Instant (500g, RRP £3.50) are available from Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons, Waitrose and Co-op.

Dinner with... CAPRICE THE BEST MEAL OUT I’VE EVER HAD was at a Mexican restaurant called Paco Chico in Florida. It’s a dive, but the food is out of this world. THE STRANGEST THING I’VE EVER EATEN is haggis. It was disgusting. MY SIGNATURE DISH is fajitas. And my family really love my birthday cakes. TO IMPRESS MY HUSBAND TY I’D COOK anything. The fact I’m cooking at all is quite impressive to be honest. But he really loves my onions, peppers and halloumi dish. MY DREAM DINNER PARTY GUEST would be Audrey Hepburn. She was a complicated character. FOR MY LAST SUPPER I’d order lots of Mexican food, to the point where I feel sick. I just want all of it! By Caprice Home is available at next.co.uk THE I’V Mex Chi the TH TH EA di