I AVOID FAST, FRIED AND PROCESSED FOOD, BUT I DON’T MISS IT
Professor Pam Kearns, 60, is a Cancer Research Uk-funded doctor of children’s cancers at Birmingham Children’s Hospital and researcher at the University of Birmingham. She lives in Staffordshire, with her husband Jules.
“I am a passionate cyclist, so unless the weather is ridiculous I cycle to work most days and also do challenges some might consider mad. The last big one was two years ago – 170 miles from Morecambe to Bridlington on the Way of the Roses – 11 hours solid in the saddle. I was raising money for Cancer Research UK and a charity called a Child of Mine for families that have lost a child to cancer – it’s an incredible motivation.
Workout week The logistics are a big part of regular exercise
I cycle each morning (in the dark) from the house to my nearest station where I join a bunch of other commuter cyclists. There are sometimes up to six bikes crammed into the carriage but no one ever complains. We’re from all different backgrounds and jobs and have all gotten to know each other – it’s quite sociable. When I started cycle commuting 10 years ago, I had to get organised. I have an office at the children’s hospital and another at the university and I have proper work clothes at each place ironed and hanging up. Then to cycle, I wear full Lycra waterproofs, a hi-vis vest and shower and dress at work. Then I get changed and do the whole thing in reverse in the evening. Logistics are such a big part of regular exercise!
My diet principles Everything gluten-free is my only rule and that’s medical
I was diagnosed with coeliac disease at 30, which means I can’t eat any gluten. It took me a long time to get diagnosed and I lost so much weight people repeatedly asked me if I was anorexic.
I was doing my PHD in Amsterdam and got very thin with constant unexplained diarrhoea. I kept putting it down to runner’s diarrhoea and kept carbo-loading with pasta which was only making it worse. Then finally the penny dropped. Stopping gluten was transformative.
Virtually overnight, I had loads of energy, the diarrhoea and cramps went, my running improved and I started putting weight on. Now I quite like the Genius gluten-free range from Tesco. I also avoid fast, fried and processed food, but don’t miss it.
What I eat in a typical day
Breakfast: Coffee with milk. Snack: Gluten-free biscuits. Lunch: Homemade sandwiches (I can’t just nip to the canteen as there is no gluten-free bread) with ham and cheese, peanut butter or banana.
Dinner: Homemade fish curry, paella, prawn stir fry or baked chicken on Sundays when we always have a proper roast dinner – I like tradition. Fish is my favourite – and lots of gluten-free pasta dishes with tomato sauces. There’s always a vegetable or salad with dinner.
Pudding: Fruit.