Fed up with your diet, feel you are eating too much of the wrong thing but lacking motivation to change? Change is not difficult once you realise the harm you are doing to yourself by making bad food choices, claims TV presenter and author Dr Gillian McKeith.

'People need a change of outlook and to think about what they put in their bodies every day,' she says, advocating 'feed the body and feed the brain'. Eating the wrong foods makes you feel sluggish and slows the body down. 'If you don't take the steps to remedy this you don't know how good you can feel. It's like having your eyes tested – if you don't have it done you don't know how good it can be to see properly.'

Women especially need to take care of themselves – particularly given the dieting culture that pervades in today's celebrity obsessed culture. But women, particularly in the 30 to 50 age group, need to take care of themselves – as this is an age when hormones are very important. At this age, women are having periods, having children or facing the menopause.

'It is important to eat foods high in essential fatty acids,' she explains. 'I see epidemic levels of fat deficiency in the women I test. This is down to yoyo dieting, as women deprive themselves of all fats in an effort to achieve weight loss.' Supporting the liver is very important during these crucial years in a woman's life – as the liver is the main organ for flushing out toxins, and also takes the brunt of the change around the menopause, she says.

Women's bodies need good fats – those found in avocados, seeds such as hemp, sunflower and pumpkin, nuts, oily fish and seed oil. Lack of these essential fats can lead to hormonal imbalance. Eating vegetables high in anti-oxidants such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower at least twice or three times a week is also important. Salads are also key, as the body needs raw vegetables as well as cooked.

Eating the right type of fat will also result in better skin. However Gillian's second secret tip for great skin has nothing to do with food – and instead involves a long-handled brush! 'Dry skin brushing is an ideal way of getting the lymph fluids moving and carrying toxins out of the body,' she explains. 'Do it before getting into the bath or shower, brushing from the feet up towards the heart. You'll feel amazing after - like you've been for a run - and in just two weeks you'll notice a huge difference in your skin.'

And, while we are all aware of the importance of calcium, magnesium in the diet is also essential, stresses Gillian. 'Get your magnesium from dark green leafy vegetables such curly kale and spinach – both good in soups, add root vegetables for vitamin B. Two thirds of women are deficient in magnesium and run the risk of osteoporosis, living lives under par.'

'Deep down most people know what's right for them,' says Gillian. 'I'm just giving them a kick up the pants.'

Need more inspiration? Check out 'Dr Gillian McKeith's Ultimate Health Plan', published by Michael Joseph – the diet programme that promises to keep you slim for life. And make a start by adopting some of her recommended healthy foods into your daily diet.

Vegetable juice
'Nothing beats the taste of a freshly blended veggie juice. Freshly made vegetable juices are a potent source of nutrients and if you drink them on a regular basis you'll enjoy clearer skin, better energy levels and balanced overall health.'

Quinoa
'The Queen of Grains, quinoa is a fantastic source of protein, containing all the essential amino acids. Quinoa is your kidney supporter. And I consider your kidneys to be your bank account for life, so add interest with quinoa porridges, quinoa salads and even my favourite, quinoa in soups.'

Seaweed
'Seaweeds are packed full of minerals, including calcium. I believe that low levels of dietary minerals are at epidemic levels in this country, so get into seaweeds to soak up more minerals.'

Greens
'Cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, turnip greens, watercress and kale have been found to have potent cancer-fighting nutrients. They are also major helper foods for the liver and the processing of toxins.'

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