Surprise start to a healthy lifestyle

I have recently had a revelation that may very well have changed my life.

If you eat healthily, or at least, as many as possible of the five portions of fruit and vegetables we are supposed to eat every day, the health benefits are not only tangible, they are immediate.

I always considered the story of the Big Five that we are supposed to consume daily to be just a bit of an old wives' tale - and although I do like vegetables, especially the way they are cooked in China, I somehow couldn't get round to eating them.

As for fruit - well, it just seemed boring.

Because life is so fast paced, I almost took it for granted that I would feel tired all the time, and not want to get up in the morning.

I just blamed my lethargy on my hectic life and the two or three glasses of wine I feel I need to unwind now and then.

Then suddenly, without realizing it, I had a very healthy day.

Over 12 hours, I ate a sandwich with salad in it, some excellent stir-fried you mai cai, half a pink grapefruit, about a dozen strawberries, and all day I drank hot water with fresh lemon squeezed into it.

The following morning I wasn't sluggish, lethargic, or even unwilling to attack the day. I didn't exactly leap out of bed, but I didn't have to be dragged, either.

Finally, after almost 30 years, an awakening began to take place in my brain.

That day I also ate fruit and vegetables. At least four portions over the day, and then a fifth in my glass of red wine that evening. (Grapes, of course.)

And on the second day, experienced a similar sprightly start to the day.

Since then I have managed at least three of the five recommended portions and have never felt better.

It's so easy. For example, the apples here must surely count for two portions as they are so big.

And kiwi fruit somehow just feels like it should count for two, especially when you cut them in half and scoop the fruit out with a teaspoon. Two halves - two portions.

I sort of count yogurt if it has real fruit in it, although perhaps that would be considered cheating by some.

I've also realized that just because you're eating healthily, it doesn't mean you have to stop all the bad habits.

I dunk each strawberry in yoghurt, better - fresh cream.

I still drink alcohol regularly, but more as a reward for eating well than a right.

I still add salt.

But because I'm feeling better, I'm getting more work done, keeping a cleaner house, and being less ratty to my 5 year old.

It's important to spread this goodness out over the day, so that the body can absorb it all gradually.

It's my firm belief that if you overdose all at once, the body can't assimilate the different vitamins and minerals, and they get redirected into the waste duct.

In fact, it's much easier to eat one portion at a time anyway, then it doesn't seem like such a penance.

But what has shocked me the most is the immediate effect this healthy eating has had.

For years I have needed three cups of coffee in the morning to function. Now this has been cut by a third.

One thing I haven't worked out is why I suddenly realized I had to change course. Perhaps, it was nature's way of telling me my previous lifestyle was unsustainable.

But whatever the reason, until my next hangover, I'm reveling in it.