There are nutritionists, and then there’s Petronella Ravenshear. On speed dial for A-listers and fashion editors alike, she’s the name to know for a trimmer waistline, increased energy, better digestion, glowing skin and more. From why an apple a day really does keep the doctor away to the benefits of fasting, sleep and self-care, she shares her health rules with us…
The Human Being Diet will reset your attitude towards food. I live by the principles of my signature method, The Human Being Diet, which is not so much a diet in that it gives you a blueprint for a new way of eating for life. It will put an end to yo-yo dieting and help you keep the weight off for good. The first 16 days of the programme are very strict: no grains, no oil, no sugar and no cardio. What’s unique about the programme is that weight loss occurs as a side-effect alongside better energy, improved digestion and skin, deeper sleep and fewer hormonal troubles. It’s a question of bringing blood sugar and insulin levels back under control and reducing inflammation. Excess weight often goes hand in hand with our modern inflammatory diseases, including heart disease, depression, acne and eczema. As you lose weight, you become less inflamed, cheerier and more energetic.
Fasting is an integral part of my life. I am now in phase four of the Human Being Diet – aka the Forever Phase – of which intermittent fasting plays a crucial role. As long as you don’t need to lose weight, skipping breakfast is not just fine, it’s positively good for you. However, if you do want to lose weight, breakfast is vital to control blood sugar and should always contain a good source of protein, ideally in the form of eggs, smoked salmon, seeds or walnuts and some vegetables. I start my day at 7am with two black coffees and drink plenty of still water until 1:30pm, when I have my first meal of the day. This tends to be a piece of fish with vegetables or fish soup. My husband, Riccardo, owns Riccardo’s restaurant on the Fulham Road, and I am lucky in that I often have lunch there. We almost always finish the meal with a slither of gluten-free chocolate and almond cake, and two espressos.