‘Get it right, and energy, focus and clarity are yours’ – SL Man
Read the full article here (2nd article on the page)
Food is medicine. Every bite is a chance to nourish, repair and perform better. These days my diet is more plant forward, with clean proteins and seasonal produce at the core. A few years ago, I cut out red meat and pork. Not only did it strip out saturated fat, it also stopped me automatically ordering chips every time. Now I’m focused on lean muscle, tone and longevity rather than piling on size.
I start the day with a pint of filtered water. I’ll add fresh lemon, sometimes with a probiotic, followed by a strong black coffee. Hydration is non-negotiable. In Five Element theory, the kidneys are our battery pack, holding energy reserves and resilience. That first hit of water recharges everything and wakes the body up at a cellular level.
Breakfast is functional. I’ll have poached eggs with avocado or smoked salmon on sourdough, always finished with extra virgin olive oil. If I’m rushing, I’ll grab boiled eggs, bananas and spinach from Pret, plus a homemade vegan protein shake. I stay clear of whey – it leaves me bloated. My weekend go-to is smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, or a herb-loaded omelette. You’ll often find me at Simple Health Kitchen on Baker Street – its omelette is the best in London and a pre-gym ritual.
Workdays are fuelled by protein, healthy fats and fibrous veg. I eat a lot of eggs, oily fish, avocado, nuts and olive oil, but avoid refined carbs – they kill my focus. Lunch is typically grilled chicken or fish with a generous salad and sauerkraut for gut health. Cutting out red meat has made my midday meals lighter, and in my mid-40s it’s been a gamechanger for metabolism.
In Chinese medicine, timing matters. Every organ system has a two-hour peak. The stomach peaks at 7-9am, making it the perfect window for a big, nutrient-dense breakfast. Skip it, and you miss that metabolic high tide. The kidneys peak at 5-7pm – by then, it’s not about fuelling, but conserving reserves. That’s why I make sure my hydration is sorted by mid-afternoon. If you’re catching up late, you’re already draining your vitality. Get it right, and energy, focus and clarity are yours.
Supplements are part of the system. I take cod liver oil, a B-complex, selenium, probiotics, collagen, glucosamine, milk thistle and a liver support blend with NAC and CoQ10. I also take NMN for longevity, and creatine for training and muscle maintenance.