Lee Holmes

Medication isn’t always the answer. In 2006 I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease and was put on a lot of pharmaceutical drugs as a result. Instead of feeling better, I felt really unwell. My health only took a positive turn when I started researching food as medicine; how it could heal me on a cellular level. I decided to eliminate dairy, wheat, gluten, yeast and sugar from my diet and my health started to improve almost immediately.

I’m all about eating nutrient-rich, whole foods. So much so, that this year I published my first book, Supercharged Food ($34.99, Murdoch Books), a guide to eating for optimal health. When I made big changes to my diet, I realised my body was finally directing its energy into healing itself.

Jamie Oliver really inspires me. He really is leading the ‘real food’ revolution, and he’s doing great things to change the food in the school system. As a personal health and wellness coach, eating well is one of the most important things to me.

During my spare time I love to cook and have friends over. One of my favourite dishes to make is Shepherd’s Pie with cauliflower mash and some steamed greens on the side. For dessert I like to make a sugar-free coconut and vanilla ice-cream or, if I’m pressed for time, I put some frozen bananas, stevia and cocoa in a food processor.

If I could go back to one place, it would be Bali. I’ve learnt how to make amazing exotic dishes with spices; I think spices are among some of the best anti-inflammatory foods.

I love being in my 40s. I don’t worry about what people think about me anymore. The most important thing is that I'm healthy. If I had to give my younger self some advice it would be this: Don’t sweat the small stuff. Stop and smell the roses!

Want more eat-well advice? Get your nutrition know-how and healthy recipes here. Or visit www.superchargedfood.com