Dame Prue Leith, renowned cook, writer, and broadcaster, recently revealed why she stopped using weight-loss injections within just a month. Despite their success for her husband, retired fashion designer John Playfair, Leith found the treatment incompatible with her lively lifestyle and love of food.
Fresh from a dazzling appearance at London Fashion Week just before her 86th birthday, Leith shared candid insights into her short experience with the jabs. While her husband lost weight and improved his health, she admits she didn’t follow the regimen’s instructions properly—consuming as little as 200 calories daily, far below the recommended 1,500. The result? No weight loss and constant fatigue, including during a holiday when she preferred to lie down rather than enjoy the beach.
“It triggered a starvation mode in my body, so I didn’t lose a single pound,” she said. Ultimately, she decided to stop using the injections, valuing her enjoyment of meals and her deep connection to food too much to continue.
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Known for her bold fashion sense and vibrant personality, Leith has also tackled aging with humor and honesty in her new book, Being Old And Learning To Love It. She approaches health and beauty claims skeptically, dismissing miracle cures and emphasizing the joy and authenticity in life.
During her time on The Great British Bake Off, Leith confessed to surviving on a diet of red wine and cake—a combination she found surprisingly effective for those 10 weeks each year. She stepped down from the show earlier this year, citing a desire to spend summers traveling to her favorite European destinations like Italy, France, Greece, and Spain.
Speaking about her successor, Nigella Lawson, Leith expressed full confidence in her capabilities and wit, praising her sharp intellect and culinary expertise.
Leith shared a pearl of wisdom she received from former host Mary Berry: to ensure her role went beyond just banter and was grounded in genuine expertise.
Though she left Bake Off somewhat abruptly, Leith plans to visit the show’s set again. With no plans to retire, she remains busy writing and engaging with her many projects. Describing writing as a “disease,” she jokes about her constant companion—the computer that shares her bed.
Leith’s life story includes personal losses and new beginnings. She wrote lovingly about her late first husband, Rayne Kruger, and her happy current marriage to Playfair. Together, they enjoy an active family life surrounded by their numerous grandchildren in the Cotswolds.
Open about her experience with hormone replacement therapy since her 40s, Leith sees the benefits far outweighing the small risks. Her energetic, positive outlook fuels both her career and personal fulfillment.
Reflecting on her life philosophy, she emphasizes enthusiasm, willingness to try new things, and embracing challenges with optimism.
Leith is also an advocate for assisted dying, inspired by her brother’s painful battle with bone cancer. As she contemplates her own legacy, she hopes to be remembered as someone who did more good than harm.
Her book Being Old And Learning To Love It will be published on February 26 by Short Books, priced at £20.