MY WEEK ON A PLATE Strictly star Gemma Atkinson
Strictly Come Dancing contestant Gemma Atkinson, 32, is a radio presenter, actress and model
MON 5am
Omelette with salmon, avocado and spinach
9am
Oats with protein powder and almond milk 12.30pm Chicken salad
3.30pm
Banana with 1 tsp almond butter
7pm
Chicken and veg stir-fry with sweet potato wedges I get up at 4.30am to present Manchester’s Key 103 Breakfast Show. I swear by getting six hours’ sleep, drinking three litres of water a day and being active. My motto is ‘energy creates energy’.
TUE 5am
Spinach, broccoli and avocado smoothie
9am
Oats with protein powder and almond milk
12.30pm
Salmon sushi salad box. Green juice
3.30pm
Rye bread with peanut butter
7pm
No-bun chicken burger with salad I just did a 12-week transformation, which involved a lot of heavy weight training. I’ve always gone to the gym – but this taught me to focus on the quality of my workouts, not the quantity.
WED 5am
Poached eggs on rye
9am
Oats with protein powder and almond milk
12.30pm
Sweet potato jacket, hummus, salad and salmon
3.30pm
Dark chocolate and fresh strawberries
7pm
Chicken stir-fry with vegetables I haven’t eaten red meat in five years, and I limit my dairy intake. I love animals and there’s cruelty in how these foods are produced. I’m working towards becoming pescetarian, then vegetarian.
THU 5am
Fried eggs with smoked salmon and asparagus
9am
Oats with protein powder and almond milk
12.30pm
Spinach, broccoli and avocado smoothie
3.30pm
Greek yogurt, chia seeds and berries
7pm
Salmon, rice and veg I cook from scratch as much as I can. It gives me more control over what I eat, tastes better and is free from nasties. It works out cheaper, too – a £20 weekly shop from Aldi is all I need.
FRI 5am
Protein pancake with banana and peanut butter
9am
Oats with almond milk
12.30pm
Chicken pitta with avocado salad
3.30pm
Apple with peanut butter
7pm
Pizza Express superfood salad I try to ignore what people say about my shape. We’re all in the gym to try to better ourselves. We may be at different starting points but the goal is the same. There should be more respect.
SAT 9am
Chicken sausages, eggs, avocado and mushrooms
12.30pm
Oats with protein powder and almond milk
1pm
Cheese omelette with salad
3.30pm
Dark chocolate
8pm
Domino’s pizza, two glasses of wine I used to live off fast food, but had awful headaches and constant break-outs. It’s important to care for yourself from the inside out. Expensive creams won’t help if you’re dehydrated and not eating right.
SUN 9am
Oats with protein powder and almond milk, and a banana
12.30pm
Homemade soup of kale, spinach, broccoli and leek
3.30pm
A protein shake
7pm
Chicken with roast potatoes, carrots, broccoli, Yorkshire pudding, parsnips and gravy The weekend is my time to rest. I don’t train – I’ll go for long dog walks instead. If I fancy it, I’ll have pizza, pasta or a glass of wine. I aim for 80% what my body needs, and 20% what it wants.