In 2011, Peaches Geldof spoke about her health issues, revealing her diet of pizza and chips had shocked doctors and dismissing claims she was anorexic.
Peaches Geldof used to eat McDonald’s, pizza and chips every day until doctors warned that her junk food diet was putting her health at risk, it emerged today.
The 25-year-old admitted before her death she had cholesterol problems in 2011 and “the heart of a 90-year-old gangster” so decided to lose weight.
Peaches Geldof laughed off claims she was anorexic and insisted her weight loss was down to cutting junk food from her diet.
Peaches Geldof used to eat McDonald’s, pizza and chips every day until doctors warned that her junk food diet was putting her health at risk
The mother-of-two said she had been living on “pizza and chips” and was told to improve her lifestyle by shocked doctors, a previously-unpublished interview has revealed.
The comments came as speculation continued to grow over the cause of Peaches Geldof’s death after an autopsy proved to be inconclusive.
Peaches Geldof was found dead at her home in Wrotham, Kent, on Monday. Police described the circumstances as “sudden and unexplained”.
It has been reported that police found no suicide note and no signs of injury or evidence of drugs. Officers using sniffer dogs carried out a thorough search of the family’s home in the days after her death.
Toxicology tests are being carried out but the results could take weeks to come through, prolonging the wait for Peaches Geldof’s family.
Friends had said she looked thin before she died, leading to speculation her weight loss may have put pressure on her heart.
Peaches Geldof had said her juice diet helped her lose 11 lbs in a month.
“I had cholesterol and the doctors said stop eating s***. So I did. If you stop eating pizza and chips you then don’t look like you used to,” she said at a film premiere in 2011.
“Do I really look that thin? Let’s be honest. How did I do it? I just stopped eating McDonald’s and f****** s*** every day.
“I used to eat s*** every single day. I used to wake up with my boyfriend and eat crap. I had the heart of a 90-year-old gangster.”
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Experts have warned that alarming levels of salt in cheese are contributing to an epidemic of high blood pressure responsible for strokes, heart attacks and thousands of early deaths a year.
Cheese can contain as much salt as junk food products, says Consensus Action on Salt and Health (CASH).
The campaigning group found a single portion of cheddar has a greater amount than a bag of crisps, while feta, halloumi and other popular types contain higher levels of salt than seawater.
CASH is calling for families to cut down on their consumption of cheese, and also demanding that the Government sets new guidelines for manufacturers to ensure lower levels of salt.
Cheese, which also usually carries high levels of saturated fat, is the third-biggest contributor of salt to the national diet, after bread and bacon.
Together, these alone are responsible for the recommended daily intake of 6 g – about a teaspoon – being exceeded by over a third. The average intake is 8.1 g a day.
Doctors say salt is a major factor in high blood pressure.
A survey of hundreds of supermarket products by CASH found that the saltiest option on the high street was Roquefort with 1g in a typical portion of 30 g.
Halloumi comes in at 0.81 g per 30 g, while feta has an average of just over 0.75 g per 30 g. All three are greater than seawater’s 0.75 g.
In an alarming warning for parents, processed cheeses, which are popular with children, also showed high levels.
Experts have warned that alarming levels of salt in cheese are contributing to an epidemic of high blood pressure responsible for strokes, heart attacks and thousands of early deaths a year
Iceland Cheese Food Slices carry more salt in one 20 g portion – 0.56 g – than in a packet of crisps.
However, CASH did find that it is possible for shoppers to switch to relatively low-salt or even salt-free cheese for a healthier option.
Director Katherine Jenner said: “It’s worth looking at the label and choosing a lower-salt version of your favorite cheese, or just use a little less next time you get the grater out.”
CASH chairman Graham MacGregor, professor of cardiovascular medicine at the Wolfson Institute in London, said: “We urge the Government to stop dragging its heels and set new, lower, targets for cheese manufacturers to work towards.
“Even small reductions will have large health benefits.
“For every 1g reduction in population salt intake we can prevent 12,000 heart attacks, stroke and heart failure, half of which would have been fatal.”
Director of the Dairy Council, Dr. Judith Bryans, said: “People have been being nourished by cheese sandwiches for many years.
“No one should eat too much of anything, but cheese and dairy are an important part of a healthy diet.”
