Eat, Shop, Save
During lockdown, it’s been easier than ever to fall into bad habits, from ordering takeaways to not taking enough exercise. But fear not: Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh is back to overhaul our lifestyles in a new series of ITV’S Eat, Shop, Save!
Along with chef and nutritionist Dale Pinnock, savvy shopper Kate Hardcastle and fitness consultant Tom Pitfield, Ranvir’s on a mission to help four families get fitter, eat more healthily and save money at the same time.
Here, Ranvir, who lives with her mum and seven-year-old son Tushaan, tells TV Times how she applies the show’s principles in her own life…
With the current coronavirus pandemic, do you think this show is more timely than ever?
If there’s ever been a time to rethink our attitude to health, it’s now. It’s made all of us sharpen our minds about how we treat both our bodies and bank accounts. Suddenly everybody’s having to do Eat, Shop, Save in their own lives!
One of the families in the new series have a serious snack habit. Are you guilty of that?
I love crisps, but I can’t have them in the house! If there’s a six-pack, I’ll eat four in one go. I’m like an eight-year-old in a 43-year-old body! But you can cheat – take a fajita wrap, put paprika and olive oil on it and stick it in the oven, and it comes out a bit like Doritos!
Filming was interrupted by lockdown – was that a challenge? I was grateful that I was able to go and see the families to set them off on their challenges before lockdown hit. Coronavirus came very close for some of them, so we were very worried. But they all came through it, and we got some good results.
How did lockdown affect you? My Good Morning Britain job carried on pretty much as normal. But my mum, who’s in her 70s, lives in my house, and I have a seven-year-old son, so it was stressful. When they were saying children shouldn’t hug grandparents, and you shouldn’t visit your own parents, I was a melting pot of all the things you weren’t supposed to be doing!
How did you cope?
Thankfully, my bedroom has an en-suite bathroom, so my son and I used my room, and we had to isolate my mum. We managed.
What health and money habits did you learn growing up?
My dad died when I was nine, so I was in a single-parent family and money was tight. In terms of the money-saving aspect of the show, I totally get that.
How are you with money?
I am good with the family finances because of my background, and I was always very aware of not having much money. I didn’t even know what a credit card was!
How do you teach your son the value of money?
I’m working-class, but my son isn’t going to be, so I worry about how he’ll value money. And I feel he should help to do the dishes and so on, because he lives in the house. It’s about having a helpful attitude.
And what’s it like trying to teach him good eating habits?
I empathise with the parents who know they aren’t doing the right thing for themselves but can’t bear the idea of handing down terrible habits to their children. I can’t have my son thinking chips and nuggets are real food!
Do you have a good shopping and eating regime?
You know the blackboards in the show? I nicked one for my kitchen and we use it to plan meals! Today it’s spaghetti with ‘hidden-veg sauce’ – which features in the new series – and veggie meatballs. I’ll cook 24 meatballs and put labelled portions in the freezer.
Do you eat meat?
I’ve always been vegetarian, but my son is not and I don’t want to impose that on him. I don’t feel confident enough in the kitchen to make sure he’s healthy on a vegan diet. The only meat or fish we’ll have is Spanish chicken – an Eat, Shop, Save family favourite – and salmon every so often. But that is a real test of our relationship!
Are you good at keeping fit? I’ve never been sporty – my one downfall is fitness. When I’m reporting from Westminster, I will walk and walk.
Before lockdown,
I went to a gym, but didn’t enjoy it.
I tried to do a fitness class online but it wasn’t for me.
The struggle is real!
IF THERE’S EVER BEEN A TIME TO RETHINK OUR ATTITUDE TO HEALTH, IT’S NOW