It’s all about fresh, delicious produce this time of year, so keep it simple with light meals for brighter days.
My day on a plate Dr Thivi Maruthappu
Thivi is the UK’s only dual-qualified dermatologist and nutritionist, specialising in how our diet affects skin health. Here, she shares a sneak peek at the skin-friendly snacks that get her through the day.
I’m usually up quite early
My boys (aged ten, seven and five) tend to wake up at around 6ish, so I’m up at 5am to have a little bit of time to myself. I meditate ( just ten to 15 minutes) and do the New York Times mini crossword and Wordle, before checking emails and planning what I have to do for the day. This is when I’ll reach for a chai tea, packed full of anti-inflammatory spices (you can find my BeauTea chai recipe in my book).
Snacks help me through the day
I have a container with two compartments (bought on Amazon very cheaply) and fill half with fruit and the other half with a handful of nuts. It takes no time to prepare and keeps me going during busy clinics. I adore nuts for their skin-loving benefits, healthy fats and protein.
I try to GLOW at meals
I developed the acronym to help my patients (and me) remember how to balance their meals. A plate should include Greens, Lean protein, Oils (healthy fats) and Wholegrains. For me, that could be something like a turmeric chickpea curry with plenty of veggies, brown rice and a sprinkling of seeds on the top.
Supporting my gut is crucial
This is so important for our skin, as the latest science has revealed an important connection called the gut-skin axis. I reach for probiotic foods like kimchi and kombucha on a regular basis.
I never feel guilty about enjoying food
I truly believe we can enjoy all foods if we balance them in the context of our overall diet. Foods I love but don’t eat every day include creamy pasta and pistachio ice cream.
I’m known for my masala chickpea salad
It’s always a huge hit with friends. It’s made up of a crunchy salad base, topped with gently spiced chickpeas and a creamy kefir dressing. I serve it on a large platter in the middle of the table and we scoop it up with warm wholewheat pitta or sourdough bread. There’s never any leftovers!
I take supplements too
These include vitamin D 1000IU all year round, as my levels on blood tests are low – this is most lik
