Mary Berry's 3 food rules to stay healthy at 90 - not superfood

At the age of 90, Dame Mary Berry is proving that age is just a number. The legendary baker, known for her sharp wit and insistence on a perfect bake, shows no signs of slowing down. Now, the Cordon Bleu-trained chef has revealed the three food rules that keep her energetic, glowing, and capable of whipping up a flawless lemon drizzle cake without breaking a sweat.

Dame Mary, famously strict about soggy bottoms during her stint as a judge on The Great British Bake Off, is currently starring in a new BBC series, Mary at 90: A Lifetime of Cooking. Alongside the show, she has released a companion cookbook just in time for Christmas.

Speaking on the Lessons from Our Mothers podcast with sisters Cressida and Isabella, Dame Mary shared the no-nonsense tips that have kept her sprightly into her tenth decade, none of which involve fad diets or trendy superfoods.

1. Ditch the junk
"I avoid processed foods. Absolutely, definitely," Dame Mary said.

While technically much of our everyday food is processed, she draws the line at ultra-processed meals such as chicken nuggets, sugary cereals, and "just add water" packet dinners.

Instead, she champions single-ingredient cooking: preparing meals from scratch and checking labels to avoid unnecessary additives and preservatives.

With over 57% of calories in the UK coming from ultra-processed foods, Dame Mary's approach is a timely reminder that common sense often trumps gimmicks.

2. Butcher knows best
For quality meat, Dame Mary recommended visiting your local independent butcher.

Not only do they provide superior cuts, but they also offer valuable advice on preparation, portioning, and cooking.

"I go to the butcher. You get advice as well as good meat," she said.

Supporting independent butchers also helps preserve a vital British trade that has seen a 60% decline since the 1990s due to the rise of supermarkets.

3. Don't follow every trend
Having witnessed decades of food trends, Dame Mary advised sticking to what works.

"I don't go with the trends. I'm not a huge lover of kale. I used to give that to my pony," she said.

While kale and other so-called superfoods are healthy, she stressed that traditional vegetables like cabbage and spinach are equally beneficial and perfectly acceptable choices.