When I think of the title of this book, Live to Eat, it’s more than just a phrase to me – it’s an ethos, a way of life and an overarching philosophy that has shaped everything I do both in and out of the kitchen. It’s about celebrating food, loving every bite and understanding that healthy eating doesn’t have to mean sacrificing incredible flavours or joyful dishes. Eating well should be something we can look forward to, not a monotonous chore we dread. I truly believe that good nutrition and delicious food can and should go hand in hand.
Growing up, food in my family was never something to be feared or restricted. My first job as a child was in my granny’s restaurant kitchen, observing the magic of cooking and learning about ingredients and combinations to create dishes that brought smiles to people’s faces. Food was her way of life, her language of love, and I still take so much inspiration from her in what I do today. Having a heavy interest in science, I was also fascinated by the inner workings of the body and how what we eat can affect everything from our energy levels to our gut health and our overall wellbeing. That combination of curiosity for what was on my plate and what was happening inside me was the start of my journey.
But there was a time when my relationship with food became complicated. After a period in the modelling industry, food started to feel like the enemy – something I had to control rather than enjoy. It was during this time that I realised how much misinformation was out there about nutrition, and how damaging a negative relationship with food could be. That’s what pushed me to leave the modelling behind and pursue something that I truly loved and had a passion for. So I studied nutrition at university, to dive deeper into the science of food, and to learn how to nourish the body properly without losing the sense of joy that food should rightfully bring.
So when I say Live to Eat, I mean embracing food as a source of pleasure, with its ability to fuel and nourish all at once. I want to help people understand that food isn’t just about calories, nutrients or ‘good’ versus ‘bad’. It’s about balance, enjoyment and creating a sustainable, healthy relationship with what’s on your plate. I absolutely love food, and I don’t believe that good nutrition should ever come at the cost of flavour. My mission with this book – and with everything I do, really – is to show that healthy eating doesn’t have to feel like deprivation. You don’t have to give up your favourite meals or settle for bland, dull ‘health food’. With the right approach, eating well can be the most satisfying part of your day. I want you to feel inspired, not restricted, when you think about food. I want you to look forward to every meal, knowing that what you’re eating is good for your body and for your soul. Because, at the end of the day, we all deserve to enjoy our food.
