IF you are hoping to get back on the healthy eating wagon after indulging at Christmas, then help is at hand in the form of Jacqui Cleaver who runs one of Europe’s leading boot camps.

The mum-of-two who lives in Poole, launched New You Boot Camp in 2006 and has helped hundreds of people get into shape through a combination of good nutrition and exercise.

"Our mission is to create a lifestyle programme that re-energises, informs and inspires people to permanently change the way they look, feel and perform forever," she explains.

"Our chefs show people new cooking skills and recipes through their demonstrations, and our nutritionists explain the truth about food and how food will affect your mind, hormones, body and fitness."

Jacqui says the main focus for 2016 is about helping their clients to reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

Cortisol plays an important role in human nutrition. It regulates energy by selecting the right type and amount of substrate (carbohydrate, fat, or protein) the body needs to meet the physiological demands placed on it.

If cortisol levels are too high, it can have detrimental effects on weight and immune function. It also tends to make people thicker around the middle.

Jacqui explains: "By helping people to reduce the amount of cortisol their body produces, it will help them to lose weight. We are not talking about people who are on medication for stress - it could be anyone who is sleep deprived or has had an excess of alcohol over the festive season for example - all this can put a burden on the body and cause stress.

"But this can be managed through food and exercise. The key points are to eat regular meals three times a day.

"We have a saying - white, plus wheat, plus worry, equals weight - so if you can cut down on those three things that will make a big difference.

"Instead of having white rice have brown, instead of eating white potatoes eat sweet potatoes, eat rye bread instead of normal bread. Most supermarkets have a good range of wheat free alternatives now.

"I advise clients to cut wheat out of their diets for six weeks and then reintroduce it. If they feel tired or bloated then their body isn't processing wheat effectively."

Jacqui says it is important to focus on gut health. The normal probiotics you can buy in supermarkets are fine but they only provide a small percentage of what your body actually needs. It is better to buy a proper probiotic from a health food shop."

Jacqui sums up "It's all about keeping your diet simple - sticking to natural foods and avoiding anything processed or artificial.”

Here are some New You recipes to ease you back into a healthy eating programme after all the excesses of the festive season...

Turkey Omelette perfect for breakfast.

Ingredients:

8 chicken egg whites

2 whole eggs

1 large white onion

3oz (90 grams) ground turkey

1.5 cups of kidney beans

1 cup of chopped green and red peppers

1 whole mushroom

3 tablespoons of organic virgin coconut oil

1 teaspoon of black pepper

3 gloves of garlic

One chopped red pepper

1 tablespoon of Worchestershire sauce

Method:

Grab a deep wok or a non-stick skillet saute. Add all the spices, turkey and vegetables and cook in 1 tablespoon of olive oil until they're soft. In a large mixing bowl whisk the eggs. Now grab an omelette size saute pan. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and heat.

You have two options here now. You can add the turkey/vegetable mixture to the egg mixture and cook together until firm. Or you can cook the egg mixture and wrap it around the turkey/vegetable mixture. It's up to you. Serve hot, immediately.

Cauliflower Risotto with Prawns - ideal for lunch or dinner.

Ingredients:

1 large cauliflower, finely chopped

1 onion, chopped

4 cloves of garlic, minced

2 lemons, juiced

Hard goat's cheese, (1 handful- optional)

Chicken stock, 500ml

Fresh parsley, chopped

20 large king prawns, peeled

Method:

Once you have prepped your ingredients, add the chopped onion, cauliflower to a large pan, with some coconut oil and half the fresh garlic. fry off for around 5 minutes.

Now add the chicken stock and allow to simmer for 20 mins.

Meanwhile in a pan, fry the rest of the garlic gently on a low heat, and add the prawns. After cooking for around 4 minutes each side, squeeze over the juice of 1 lemon, toss the prawns in the parsley and set aside.

Once the risotto is taking form, add the juice of one lemon and season with salt and pepper and Goat's cheese if required. When the liquid has evaporated, add the risotto to plates. Top with the prawns and fresh parsley.

Spicy Tea - helps the body to detox.

Quarter or half teaspoon of each:

Turmeric (may support Liver, Anti-inflammatory, Pain killer, anti-carcinogen)

Cinnamon (blood sugar balance: can support energy, mood, weight control

Ginger: (can support digestion, nausea, inflammation)

Pinch (eighth of a teaspoon) cayenne pepper (can prevent Heart attack & stroke; 'feeds' the heart muscle; anti-inflammatory; digestive repair; promotes stomach acid

Preparation / Directions

Mix the ingredients in a cafetiere (plunge pot) and drink in morning and afternoon.

For more recipes, visit newyoubootcamp.com.