News

Jane McDonald on ‘shocking wake-up call’ after ‘poisoning’ herself with diet

Jane was on Sugar Free Farm in 2016

| Updated:

Jane McDonald – who is cruising The Great Lakes today (Sunday, July 28) – once opened up about how she received a health wake-up call thanks to her diet.

The TV star opened up on how she “poisoned” herself with her diet during an interview back in 2016.

Jane McDonald speaking on This Morning
Jane had a ‘wake-up call’ doing Sugar Free Farm (Credit: ITV)

Jane McDonald on ‘poisoning’ herself

Speaking to The Press and Journal Jane revealed she’d a stone-and-a-half after taking part in Sugar Free Farm.

The three-part series saw Jane, James Argent, Mark Labbett, and other celebs living a sugar-free diet while working on a farm.

Jane, 61, admitted she went into the show thinking her life was “perfect” – however received a shock wake-up call from the show’s resident nutritionist.

Although Jane hadn’t considered her weight an issue, she was concerned about her cholesterol.

“I’ve always tried to eat healthily although things could go awry when I was touring because often it was only possible to eat out,” she said.

Jane McDonald smiling on Lorraine
Jane’s sweet tooth was a problem (Credit: ITV)

Jane McDonald talks health wake-up call

The TV star then went on to reveal that her sweet tooth was one of the causes of her problems.

“I hadn’t realised how sugar-heavy my diet was – I’d have sweets when I was travelling and scoff biscuits and cakes if I felt my energy drop. I was the sort of woman who thought life was too short not to have a scone, and I did drink a lot of wine – around a couple of glasses a night,” she said.

Jane went on to explain that she opted to eat “low-fat” foods in a bid to improve her health. However, she didn’t realise how much sugar is in low-fat food.

“Also, I never realised so much sugar is hidden in food, even in savouries such as – what used to be my favourite snack – crisps. Sugar’s such an addictive substance and somebody should be arrested for introducing this poison into our system for all these flipping years! I can’t believe I’ve been unknowingly poisoning myself with the stuff,” she said.

Jane McDonald speaking on Loose Women
Jane says the show had a “lasting impact” on her health (Credit: ITV)

Jane’s diet change

The telly fave then continued, saying that the sugar detox was a “revelation”.

Jane confessed it was “hard” at first, however she was soon filled with “more energy” than she’d had in “years”.

She also admitted that when she show ended, she didn’t want to go back to her normal life in fear of relapsing.

However, this didn’t happen, as she confessed that the show had a “lasting impact” on her. She explained that her “palate” doesn’t like sweet things anymore and her body “just won’t tolerate it any more”.

Read more: Jane McDonald’s donation to local hospice following death of partner Ed

Cruising with Jane McDonald airs today (Sunday, July 28) from 5.05pm on Channel 5 and My5.

Cruising With Jane McDonald - S02E03 Rhone River Cruise

Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think of this story.


Robert Emlyn Slater
Senior Writer

Related Topics