Taste for LIFE

The champion boxer talks about the importance of nutrition for her sport, how much she loves spag bol, and her signature lamb stew

Boxer Kellie Harrington’s signature lamb stew

What was your favourite childhood meal?

Waffles and beans bring back a lot of happy memories.

What is the meal you will always remember?

Stew — we used to have it about five days a week during the winter when I was growing up.

What was your defining food experience?

When I moved out at 18 and had to start cooking my own food. I began to really realise the difference between healthy and unhealthy foods and what fuelled my body best. This started me on my journey of learning more about nutrition and how to eat a more balanced diet, which is a huge part of being an athlete.

What’s the first dish you ever cooked?

Spaghetti bolognese.

What is your comfort food?

Beans on toast, I just love it. It’s so quick and easy to whip up, and is a well-balanced meal, which is ideal for me with my busy training schedule.

What is your hangover cure?

I haven’t had a drink in over four years, so I couldn’t tell you any more!

What do you drink?

Protein milk. I drink it literally every day. I get a 500ml carton and drink the first half at my 10am break and then the second half at my 1pm break. It’s such a convenient way for me to get protein into my diet while I’m on the go.

Are you careful about what you eat?

I’m careful when I’m in training and I have a competition coming up. I have to be disciplined, as weight and fitness are a huge part of my sport. I train hard and eat well, but it’s also so important to treat yourself to the foods you enjoy — as they say, everything in moderation.

If you could only eat three things for the rest of your life what would they be?

Spaghetti bolognese, pizza and home-made potato chips — the dream!

What is the most appetising smell in the world?

I absolutely love the smell of curry. And garlic, when it’s cooking, always makes me hungry.

How important is food to you?

It’s the first thing I think of in the morning and the last thing I think about before I go to sleep! If my nutrition isn’t right and I’m not eating often enough, I wouldn’t be refuelling and replenishing my muscles, which is so important for my recovery. My training is quite demanding so it is really important to ensure I am eating the right amounts of food frequently throughout the day.

You can go anywhere and have anything to eat with any one person. Where, what and who?

I’d go to Rome, for some pizza, with my partner, Mandy. We went back there earlier this year and had such an amazing trip.

What’s always in your kitchen?

Chocolate, and milk for a cup of tea. And I always have yoghurt in the fridge, I love mixing it up with some fresh fruit and granola.

What’s your signature dish?

Lamb stew. My mam has been making incredible stews since we were kids, so I’ve been able to learn from the best and also mastered my own.

Kellie Harrington is ambassador for the ‘Everything starts with milk’ campaign, a European Milk Forum campaign focused on encouraging Irish consumers to drink more milk, activated locally by the National Dairy Council