Celebrities and the Hay Diet

People seem to have an insatiable interest in celebrities, and I must admit I initially heard of the Hay Diet when I read an interview with Sir John Mills, who went Hay after the war because he had what he called a “man-sized” ulcer. Eating the Hay way cured it in a few weeks, and he stayed on the diet for the rest of his life. Throughout his life he could still fit into the suit he was demobbed in. He died in 2005, at the age of 97.

Another celeb. who was on the Hay diet for a time at least, was Princess Diana, but then she probably tried every diet under the sun.

Man Ray, the American artist, was also a notable follower of the Hay Diet, as were Elizabeth Hurley and Catherine Zeta Jones.

Rediscovering Egg Savoury

One of my all-time favourite protein breakfasts is egg savoury, a recipe I got from “Food Combining for Health Cookbook” by Jean Joice and Jackie Le Tissier.

Basically, you mix a teaspoon of tahini with a half teaspoon of miso, a dash of paprika and pepper. Then mix in two large beaten eggs, and scramble the mixture in melted butter.

Served on slices of fresh tomato and cucumber with a few sprigs of parsley and mizuna or rocket, it’s to die for!

Starting again after going off the Hay diet

I’m starting again after a few months off the Hay diet. I gained weight, have arthritis back in my hip, and generally speaking I feel much better eating the Hay way than I do when I eat the old way.

I think it was the fish and chips that were my downfall! I do love them, but I just need to allow myself the occasional treats instead of using the treats as an excuse to go off the diet altogether.

I think the reasons the Hay diet is so good are:

1. There’s a big emphasis on fresh fruit, vegetables and salads,

2. The calories are reduced because meals contain only one of the big calorie items (protein or starch), not both, and the gap is filled by low calorie fruits, veg, or salad,

3. Eating protein and starches at separate meals seems to make meals easier to digest,

4. All the vegetables and fruits keep me regular.

It’s a good way to eat and is easy, and now I’m back on it I wonder why I ever went off it again.