The cook from scratch SLIMDOWN

Simple, whole and hearty food is the way forward, according to chef Sophie Michell

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hen someone tells you that weight loss is as simple as eating well, it’s hard to believe. But what if that person has done it that way themselves, successfully? That’s the story of Chef on a Diet, Sophie Michell’s new cookbook. It’s packed with super healthy yet simple and delicious recipes that are a far cry from what you’d expect – plus there’s a little inspiration thrown in thanks to Sophie’s own weight-loss story.

Like many of us, a life event was the motivation behind Sophie’s weight loss. ‘I really wanted to lose weight for my forthcoming wedding,’ she explains. ‘After some analysis, I got inspired, lost 7kg and thought, ‘Damn, this works!’’ Of course, having been a chef from a young age, Sophie’s experience with food and flavours gives her quite an advantage over most people. But that’s OK, because her new cookbook means that she can pass this knowledge onto us in the form of mouth-watering dishes that can actually be achieved in your own kitchen. It’s not rocket science, though, and Sophie’s the first to admit that. ‘Good food is usually naturally healthy,’ she adds. ‘Just simply cooking and making food from scratch is the key to healthy eating.’

You’ll find no hard-to-pronounce ingredients from the foothills of South America, here, either. All the food is simple, yet healthy. In fact, Sophie attributes her success to basically cutting down on refined carbohydrates and sugars, which is reflected in her recipes.

Chef on a Diet proves that food can be amazing without the nasties. ‘Opting for a mainly protein- and plant-based diet’ is her straightforward advice for those looking to lose weight, too. Oh, and chilli, garlic and lemon. ‘They all add flavour with very few calories,’ she says. A cookbook that doesn’t force you out of your cooking comfort zone? We’re in.