Under the microscope
CAN YOU RUN UP THE STAIRS?
YES, I always take stairs. I walk my five dogs daily, come rain or shine, and ride my horses. I try to build fitness into everyday life, so rather than go to a weight-lifting class, I’ll carry hay bales for the horses and will insist on carrying heavy things, like my luggage.
GET YOUR FIVE A DAY?
SINCE becoming vegan three years ago [for environmental reasons], I insist on ten portions of fruit and vegetables a day to ensure I get the nutrients I need. At home in Somerset we grow lots of fruit, so in summer everything comes out of the garden. I’m not good with leafy veg, so I hide them in soups.
EVER DIETED?
IN THE past, I’ve done the cabbage soup diet, but I’ve learned that with fad diets you take [weight] off, but boy you put it back on again! I’m 5ft 2in and 9st 11lb and I’m not worried about it. I don’t tend to have breakfast or lunch — I only eat at teatime — because I’m just not hungry earlier in the day.
ANY VICES?
A PICKLED gherkin, straight from the jar. I hardly drink. When I do, I’ll have a glass and think: ‘I don’t like that much.’
ANY FAMILY AILMENTS?
MY younger sister Emma has multiple sclerosis, but otherwise we’ve been a healthy family. Both my parents are still alive — my mother’s 87, my dad’s 82.
WORST ILLNESS/INJURY?
I BROKE my pelvis riding, aged 20. And I had a skin cancer scare ten years ago [squamous cell carcinoma on her face] so I pay particular attention to my skin. I have a full-body skin examination annually and always wear SPF50.
COPE WELL WITH PAIN?
I BROKE my left wrist after falling off a step while getting on a horse in 2021. It was pretty unpleasant because it was during Covid and they set it without anaesthetic. I coped pretty well with the pain.
I just think if it’s happening, there’s nothing else you can do about it.
POP ANY PILLS?
I TAKE vitamin D, calcium and, because I’m vegan, vitamin B12.
EVER HAVE PLASTIC SURGERY?
YES, if there was a clinical reason for it. But I’m happy with my face and feel I’ve earned my laughter lines.
EVER BEEN DEPRESSED?
WE all have moments of sadness but I’ve never had depression.
WHAT KEEPS YOU AWAKE AT NIGHT?
EXCITEMENT. If I’m looking forward to something, I can’t get to sleep.
HANGOVER CURE?
I’VE had very few hangovers. I start each day outside in the garden, barefoot, with a cup of tea.
ANY PHOBIAS?
I LOOK at people who go potholing and think they’re barking mad.
LIKE TO LIVE FOR EVER?
NO. Death is an important part of life.
■ Watch Deborah Meaden on Dragons’ Den, every thursday on BBc iPlayer and BBc One at 8pm.