Jeremy Clarkson, the well-known television personality from shows like Top Gear, The Grand Tour, and Clarkson's Farm, has recently undergone a significant transformation in his diet and lifestyle. This change was prompted by a serious health scare, including emergency heart surgery, that served as a wake-up call. This article delves into the details of Clarkson's health journey, exploring his dietary changes, exercise habits, and overall approach to a healthier life.
The Health Scare and Wake-Up Call
Clarkson's health took a worrying turn when he experienced chest pains, leading to emergency heart surgery at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital. He was diagnosed with a completely blocked artery, requiring the insertion of stents to improve blood flow to his heart. A consultant told him he might have been days from death before he sent him for a life-changing op - an angioplasty to insert stents - last autumn. Clarkson himself acknowledges he was "days away from death" at that point. This close brush with mortality made him realize that he wanted to live longer and see his grandchildren grow up, motivating him to adopt a healthier lifestyle.
Dietary Changes: From Gluttony to "Mono" Diet
Following his heart surgery, Clarkson had to make significant adjustments to his diet. Initially, he complained about being on a restrictive "lettuce and water diet," with many of his favorite foods being off-limits. He mentioned having to eliminate "everything I like eating". This encompassed "bacon, sausages, beef, lamb, pork, butter, chips, proper milk, Cadbury's fruit and nut bars and the interesting bit in an egg". He will also have to cut out red meat, chips, butter, chocolate and “the interesting bit” in an egg.
However, Clarkson later revealed that he was consuming lamb and beef reared on his farm, served plain, without rich sauces. He described this as a "mono" diet, explaining, “The way my doctor here described it, if it has one ingredient, like steak, or egg, it’s fine. But not supermarket lasagne.”
Understanding the "Mono" Diet
A mono diet involves eating only one type of food for an extended period. The idea is to simplify your diet, focus on whole and healthy foods, and avoid processed and heavily seasoned options. It’s also highly recommended that you take in a lot of water during the diet. This type of diet can be followed for various reasons, including crash dieting, elimination diets, or as part of alternative medicine practices. There is no one standard definition for a mono diet and it has been criticised as another ‘fad’ eating plan.
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Dietician Hannah Magee has said: “To be quite honest, there isn’t one standard definition for the Mono Diet online. It appears that those who participate in ‘mono’-style eating are really making it up as they go. “Let’s be straight up. There’s nothing healthy about restricting yourself to one food, one type of food, or even one type of food at each meal. The Mono Diet is purely a fad diet that promises weight loss and that’s about it. In fact, for that I give it props, because there are already enough fad diets pretending to be “healthy lifestyle changes” these days anyways.”
Celery: A Crucial Addition
In addition to the "mono" diet approach, Clarkson has incorporated celery into his meals. He revealed, "I now eat celery, and I feel better for it". Celery offers a number of health benefits, including aiding in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and reducing the risk of urinary tract blockages. It also possesses anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties. Researchers have found that celery can lower glucose, blood lipids, and blood pressure levels, thereby fortifying the heart.
Celery is also a low-calorie option, with a mere 15 calories present in two stalks. It is rich in vitamin K and contains small quantities of vitamins A and C, calcium, and iron. According to Healthline, celery is believed to contain approximately 25 different compounds that combat inflammation, including phytonutrients and luteolin.
Celery can be incorporated into meals in numerous ways. Besides being consumed in its whole form, which provides a hydrating boost, it can be cooked in a stir-fry or used in soups. Celery can also be eaten raw as part of a salad or as a healthy snack.
Reducing Processed Foods
Clarkson has also made a conscious effort to reduce his intake of processed foods. He mentioned being advised by a dietician "not to eat processed foods. If it's got more than one ingredient in it, I don't eat it. I feel great."
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Medication and Weight Loss
Clarkson initially tried Ozempic to lose weight but experienced adverse effects, saying he "was sick a lot" on Ozempic, explaining: "My body lost the ability to deal with gluttony but once the initial enthusiasm had worn off, my mind still wanted to breakfast on Cadbury Fruit & Nut." He then switched to Mounjaro, "micro-dosing" the type 2 diabetes medication. He said: “I could open the fridge door, look at all the goodies, then close it.” Through this method, the television personality has shed two stone.
Exercise and Physical Activity
To get more exercise he’s been playing pickleball on his farm and to lose weight he’s been trying a ‘mono’ diet, the Times reported. Clarkson has also embraced physical activity, although he initially expressed some reluctance. He mentioned having to "go on the sort of 'walk' where I end up back where I started," but recognized the importance of exercise for his health.
Cutting Back on Alcohol
Famously Clarksson likes a drink - but he has been cutting back - although he still has some alcohol. He noted that "if you go to bed with a clear head, your mind is active, so it chews stuff over and works things out. This means you don’t fall asleep till two and you don’t wake up till nine, so you won’t fall asleep the following night till three.”
Clarkson also wrote: “If I go to a party, I must stand in a corner, nursing some refreshing elderflower juice, before going home at about 9.30. That’s terrifying too.” Other changes in the former Top Gear presenter's life have included the removal of "booze" due to its fattening effects and additional exercise.
Maintaining a Busy Schedule
Clarkson maintains a packed schedule, despite having retired from his car show with longtime collaborators Richard Hammond and James May. He owns a farm, a brewery and a pub, writes three newspaper columns and hosts the ITV gameshow Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. Clarkson is currently filming the fifth series of his farm show but has no plans to retire: “I’d just be an alcoholic if I stopped working, what else would I do? I have no hobbies, I’m good at nothing. Some people enjoy playing golf or fishing or whatever. When they retire, they can indulge themselves in their hobby on a more full-time basis. I’ve never really had a hobby. No, I enjoy having lots of different jobs to do.”
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Security Risk
Jeremy Clarkson has explained his special diet which is getting him in the fast lane to better health after his heart scare. Clarkson recently lamented an airport security experience related to his weight loss, writing: "Mounjaro problem I never saw coming. At airports you’re made to remove your belt and then told to stand in the body scanner with your arms in the air. Hold up or let loose? The real security risk is dignity." When another follower remarked "Yet another holiday," Mr Clarkson replied: "Yup. At airports you're made to remove your belt and then told to stand in the body scanner with your arms in the air. So you can't hold your trousers up," he wrote on Saturday.