This Morning’s Dr Sara Kayat: My dad’s advice changed my life
Looking after the planet is a growing concern for many, but it can often get confusing – especially all the jargon, says Dr Sara Kayat. “Biodegradable, compostable, flushable, organic – they can all merge into one, and mean different things to different people,” says the Londonbased GP and resident doctor on ITV’s This Morning. “WaterWipes commissioned a survey which shows three-quarters of parents are confused by eco jargon,” adds new-mum Kayat – she and husband Rupert Walker welcomed their son, Harris, during lockdown last May.
“So they’ve developed an ‘eco jargon dictionary’ which puts it into layman’s terms.”
Kayat’s teamed up with WaterWipes on the campaign. Is being eco-conscious something that’s important for you?
“Definitely. I haven’t bought new clothes for Harris, only used hand-me-downs. Same for myself, I haven’t bought new clothes for over a year now, because I don’t necessarily believe in fast fashion. And there are toys that can just be reused, rather than having to buy a whole load of new plastic toys for your baby. There are lots of things we can be doing.”
You became a mum during lockdown – how have you found it all?
“Sometimes I think it’s a blessing, and other times I think it’s horrendous! I changed my birth plan and ended up having a beautiful home birth; that was a lovely little plus side. [Lockdown] also gave me that opportunity to find my space after the birth and get to know my baby so much more, I think, than if
I’d been entertaining lots of people coming over. I got to know all those little nuances, funny little peculiarities of his personality that perhaps I wouldn’t have noticed.
How do you stay fit and focused?
“It’s always about the four pillars of lifestyle and health for me, making sure your foundations are OK. So you’ve got diet and nutrition – I’m careful to make sure I’m getting those, eating the rainbow, trying to balance my diet. I’m not vegan but I’ve started being more plantbased and only eat meat maybe once a week.” things done for me.”
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
“My dad, Frank, often sends me random WhatsApp messages of phrases and quotes. About three or four years ago, he sent me one about knowing your worth. Essentially, it was about knowing your value and not settling for anything less than what you deserve – and it honestly changed everything in my life. It altered my mindset in terms of giving people fulltime permission in my life, who really only deserve part-time positions.”