Carol Vorderman has disclosed the surprisingly straightforward secret to her stunning figure, and it’s refreshingly uncomplicated. The ex-Countdown star recently shared insights into her weight loss journey, aiming for a “size 9”, a notch below size 10, and insists she’s indifferent to what others think.

Her bombshell revelations came during an interview with Saga magazine, following the release of her book Now What?: On a Mission To Fix Broken Britain. The former BBC Radio host divulged that munching on raw sprouts as snacks and performing “squats for the bum” are part of her health regimen.

“I wear a good bra and jeans that hold you up,” the TV legend said in September. “I generally have one meal a day late afternoon and I do three 45-minute sessions in the gym a week, which I love.”

Carol is a proponent of OMAD – One Meal A Day, a form of intermittent fasting highlighted by Healthline for its benefits in creating a calorie deficit, aiding weight loss, and potentially reducing heart disease risk, reports the Mirror.

Inhabitants of the Earth’s Blue Zones, areas known for their high concentration of centenarians, reportedly follow similar dietary habits, known as the 80% trick or Hara Hachi Bu. This typically means consuming just one modest meal daily in the late afternoon or early evening and eating only until 80% full.

Dr Deborah Lee from Dr Fox Pharmacy has previously shared with the Mirror her insights on ageing, stating: “Calorie restriction is believed to slow the ageing process. Eating less lowers the metabolic rate. With less metabolic processes underway, less oxidation is taking place.”

“Oxidative stress probably underpins the development of many of the chronic diseases we see today heart disease, cancer, type-2 diabetes and dementia… Nutritionists believe that when you look at your plate, if you eat mindfully, eating slowly and chewing every mouthful thoroughly, you can feel satisfied by eating only 80% of that is on your plate.”

Meanwhile, Carol, who doesn’t focus on calorie counting but does engage in bi-annual “detoxing”, explains in her book Detox Your Life: “The detox is not about counting calories or fat units, it’s about being aware of the kinds of foods we put into our bodies. It’s about eating more, not less.”

It’s four years since Carol admitted to having a brussel sprout addiction – and the love affair is still going strong.

She Tweeted in January 2021: “Currently eating FOUR BAGS a week… #SproutAddiction. Love me, love my sprouts.”

Fast forward to September 2024, the mum-of-two revealed that she “generally carries a bag on her” at all times for quick snacking.