Rabbit Food

Another look at what helps keep Jane in such incredible shape today – her diet. Now I realise some of this may seem rather generic and obvious and like we’ve just copied it out of a book, but I can 100% promise you this really is what Jane eats. Fact. Anyone who knows us will testify for this, I for one have spent enough nights watching her spoon watercress down her throat to know the truth. So, I officially name this the She’s No Plain Jane Diet – that phrase “you are what you eat” rings true here - creams will only do so much and we can see that Jane’s years of obsessively healthy eating have given the hands of the clock one hell of a middle finger.

Breakfast: One large cup of coffee, half and half with hot skimmed milk. One zinc and vitamin c capsule, followed by a kiwi and a bowl of Waitrose muesli made with lots of seeds, plus unsweetened soya milk, a sliced banana and a handful of blueberries.

Jane explains, “soya is good for ladies of a certain age who like me, do not take HRT. If I am working, I will try and eat this before I leave, but as I sometimes have to leave before 6.30 a.m. then I have brown toast with fresh grilled tomatoes from the caterers on set, though I always have the kiwi. Another occasional breakfast is 2 boiled eggs and marmite on brown toast with green tea.”

Mid-morning snack: Green tea, and a raw carrot. Jane adores green tea, and “drinks lots throughout the day, and I carry the tea bags in my handbag so that I am never without. When I work I take raw carrots, fruit and crispbreads to nibble on, so that I am not tempted to eat any rubbish when I am cold and hungry on location.”

Lunch: Raw vegetables with a bit of edam cheese, or heated up fresh tomato juice with some Tabasco in it, to drink like soup. “At work I choose fish, lean chicken or the veggie option with a salad or the vegetables from the caterers. No potatoes, unless there is a jacket one.... I like the skin! And I don’t really eat pudding.”

If Jane is out lunching with friends, she usually chooses a light starter, then fish or game with vegetables or salad.

Mid afternoon snack: Green tea, nuts, and some cheese.

Dinner: A whole bag of kale quickly stir fried in nut oil and seeds. While this is cooking Jane microwaves some Edam cheese and fresh tomatoes on a plate and piles the kale on top. She says, “I love to save my hunger for the evening meal, and eat it slowly as always. I drink either water, tomato juice or a glass of wine with this. Later I will have fruit, more green tea and snack on nuts.

“At weekends I cook for [Dad] Roger and I, and will sometimes have a rare steak. That kind of protein is very good for you in moderation. We always have a bottle of wine too.”

So there you have it folks, doesn’t it just make you feel sick? Personally I’ve tried to adopt some of these foodie routines into my life but I nearly always epically fail at the no pudding bit. I love chocolate, ice cream and butter popcorn far, far too much. One day I might pull my socks up and follow her example, but I’m a student right now and therefore submit to the pizza. However, the She’s No Plain Jane diet is certainly a miracle worker after a couple of heavy days on a junk food/alcohol binge that’s left your body retching for the antioxidants. Plus, if you really can stick to the regime, Jane is living proof you’ll cheat your age, shed pounds and nearly never get ill.