If you’ve read our “Movement is my medicine” blog with Gemma, you’ll know how staying active is such an important part of her life. Now, we’re taking a look at the other half of the picture: how she fuels these busy days.

Between training, Gem & Tonic, family life and radio shows, food isn’t something Gemma overcomplicates (just like her skincare then!) Instead, her priority is energy and recovery. Here’s what a typical day’s meals and snacks looks like - and why it works for her.

Waking well

The first thing I have every morning is my greens - I mix WelleCo's Super Elixir into a whey protein shake. It's such an easy win at the start of my day and I feel happy knowing I've packed in plenty of goodness before everything else begins.

Breakfast 

Food is my training fuel, so before I head into the gym, I have a slice of sourdough with banana and honey. For me, I get more from my session if I’ve had my carbs pre-training - they give me the energy I need for my workout without feeling heavy.

Post-training

After the gym, it's straight to a protein-rich brunch - usually three or four scrambled eggs with asparagus and tomatoes. Protein is really important for supporting muscle recovery after training, while the veggies add colour and goodness to my meal. It’s not complicated but it works - filling me up to keep me going through a busy work day.

Afternoon pick-me-up

Always chocolate! My favourite is Montezuma's Absolute Black. It’s 100% dark chocolate and I especially love the orange and cacao nib bar. I have a few squares with a handful of nuts and blueberries. It's my little afternoon work ritual and feels like a proper treat rather than a ‘healthy snack’ masquerading as a dessert!

Dinner

I’m quite particular about where my food comes from and always choose organic and free-range. I don’t eat red meat and tend to vary things throughout the week… two or three nights a week, it’s salmon or chicken with avocado; on other evenings it’s tofu, tempeh, kefir and grains. For me, these give my body good quality food and protein to help me stay strong and recover well from the day.

Before bed

If I’ve trained hard in the day, I find I need a little bit extra by evening. My favourite is a bowl of oats with milk, a scoop of protein and raw cocoa before bed. It’s comforting and satisfying, plus it means I know my body is fueled and ready to do it all again tomorrow. 

This isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach…

My typical food day and choices work for me because they best support my daily life. I train a lot, I’m 5ft 9 and my energy needs are different to everyone else's (just like yours are). Height, muscle mass, daily activity levels and our own personal goals all need factoring in. So, look at your day, your movement and your energy needs, then find foodie habits that feel realistic, enjoyable, sustainable and support your body. 

The goal isn’t perfection, it’s finding what actually fits into and works for your real life.