James Martin's 'controversial' five ingredient lunch after weight loss
TV chef James Martin has shared his penchant for a "controversial" but "off the charts" lunch that he's adored since childhood, despite recently shedding an impressive 3st.
The culinary maestro, known for his appearances on Ready, Steady Cook, slimmed down from 17 stone to 14 stone after taking part in Strictly Come Dancing nearly two decades ago. He says the transformation also meant he found it easier getting into his beloved sports cars.
James has been quite candid about his dietary overhaul, which involved cutting back on sugary sodas and incorporating more fish. However, he admits there's one particular lunchtime treat he can't resist.
During a chat on the Good Food podcast with Samuel Goldsmith last year, James divulged his recipe for this unique sandwich, a throwback to his younger days. He acknowledges it might not win any healthy eating awards, but insists it's a must-try, reports Devon Live.
James detailed the creation process: "People are going to freak out about this but you have to try it. You need white sliced bread, not fancy ciabatta or sourdough, your cheapest white sliced bread, the thin one, then you butter it, but you butter it in chunks, so you slice the butter and that sits on it.
"Here's the controversial bit. You take a banana, put it in a bowl, mush it up, spread that on it. Take a Cadbury's Flake, sprinkle that on it.
"A few plain crisps, put the bread on it, press it down, wrap it in clingfilm, leave it in a rucksack for about a day, somewhere warm, and then eat it. Off the charts.
"Heston Blumenthal will have a dish, I swear to God. That used to be my go-to sandwich as a kid. It's weird but it's ace."
James shared that he used to relish the sandwich as a youngster. He would often forget to eat his lunch, instead finding the sandwich in his backpack the next day and devouring it.
On the Spooning with Mark Wogan podcast, James expressed surprise at his survival given his unusual diet. He remarked: "Looking at this diet, it's a wonder I'm still alive really."
James has previously disclosed that he managed to shed weight without resorting to the gym. Instead, he claims to walk extensively every day.
In an interview with Best magazine, he revealed: "I have a gym upstairs, but I haven't used it though. I do about 20 to 30,000 steps a day walking my dogs."
The NHS advocates for a brisk 10 to 15 minute walk each day as part of an adult's recommended 150 minutes of exercise. It highlights walking as a "sometimes overlooked" form of exercise that can boost stamina, burn calories, and promote heart health.
Chatting with Mark, James confessed his love for racing cars, but admitted he had difficulty getting out of them before shedding weight. He stated: "It comes down to the fact that I race cars, or I still try and race a few cars and I actually struggle to get out of them now.
"Getting in them, you kind of fall in them, but then you've got to get out of them and it just doesn't look very good."
The chef will be returning with James Martin's Saturday Morning at 9.30am on ITV One. James will be serving up food for former model Jodie Kidd while enjoying recipes from Aktar Islam, Emily Scott, and Corrin Harrison.
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