Radiance - The Juice Cleanse Co.

We've known the lovely Amelia Freer for a while now, and have watched her justifiably shoot to superstar nutritionist fame with her practical, empowering, intelligent approach to food. Over an iced green tea and a Jax Coco in her bright, white, herb-filled kitchen we quizzed her about the secrets to radiant eating.

How would you describe your food philosophy?

I love food! I really want to encourage the enjoyment of it and break the concept that being healthy is about deprivation and misery. I aim to inspire my clients and show them that healthy food can be happy food and of course incredibly beneficial for their long term health.

What does your typical breakfast look like?

Usually a green smoothie with lots of health-promoting foods and powders added and a green tea. Sometimes avocado on buckwheat crackers with cherry tomatoes and some tahini.

What single dietary change makes the biggest difference to your clients' health?

Cutting out sugar. Also cooking from scratch/eliminating processed foods and ready meals.

What are the benefits to health of eating gluten-free, and are there any considerations to bear in mind?

Any health condition COULD be exacerbated by gluten. This is not at all to say that everyone has gluten sensitivity or that all illnesses are caused by gluten. However, everyone should at least consider if they might be sensitive to it if they have health issues, particularly autoimmune conditions. Sometimes going gluten free can make someone feel worse before they get better so it is always best to do it under the guidance of a qualified professional who can support the body as it shifts into a less inflammatory state. The majority of gluten free products aren't healthy options at all to eat so really becoming informed about health foods and what your diet does and doesn't need is key.

I personally noticed an incredible improvement in my mental clarity and memory as well as digestive health when I went gluten free and if ever I do eat it, I quickly get a foggy head, aches, pains and bad skin. For me, it really isn't beneficial to how I feel and look. But removing it isn't always enough and this is where my functional medical training comes in and I can support clients appropriately with testing and supplements to help them heal any damage that may have been caused by gluten. I am a good friend of and huge supporter of Dr Tom O'Bryan (www.theDr.com) who has educated me enormously on this subject and I really feel passionate about spreading the wealth of information that he has collated. I am currently completing the exam to become one of the first Certified Gluten Practitioners (CGP) in the UK.

What are your desert island food essentials?

Avocados, water, broccoli, cashew nuts, apples, extra virgin olive oil, some chickens (for eggs), lemons and earl grey tea! Hopefully there will be coconut trees on the island!

What is your favourite quick and easy weekday supper?

Poached salmon and steamed greens - I always use lots of herbs and good oils to avoid meals being bland.

How do you balance your busy work schedule with looking after your own health?

It's a challenge! I have to plan ahead and when I don't it all goes wrong. I cook and prepare in advance as much as I can so that I'm not caught out hungry with nothing to eat. And I make sure that the options in my fridge and cupboards are only healthy ones!  

Here's a little peek at a bespoke juice tonic that we recently created for Aveda's new Invati haircare regime. The lemon-based tonic was supercharged with ginger, turmeric, black pepper, cinnamon and ginseng to match some of the Ayurvedic herbs used to power the products.

Check out this quick review on the British Vogue Beauty Blog.

As the weather hots up for the summer and you're beginning to stock up on skincare travel essentials, minds are turning to looking our best on the beach. As Radiance fitness expert Dalton Wong says "you can't out-train a bad diet". But assuming you are already eating a clean and healthy diet and perhaps squeezing in a 3-day Greens Cleanse, here are our new favourite workouts to really sculpt your perfect figure.

1. Barry's Bootcamp

We have friends who are absolutely obsessed with this super intense, whole body workout. Be prepared for some strong encouragement from your instructor. There is no slacking in this class. But it burns a huge number of calories per hour and gives you a real endorphin high. The studio is based near Euston and you can recharge with a dairy free protein shake from the Fuel Bar after your class.

2. BarreDance at barrecore

This class fuses dance-based conditioning with fat-blasting and heart-pumping moves, to loud, stimulating music. Barrecore's brand of highly effective barre focused traning was brought to the UK from the US by Niki Rein, a personal trainer who started out with Tracy Anderson in LA. Commit to four sessions per week at the Chelsea studio and you'll be proudly displaying a famous "Barrecore bum" in no time!

3. Power Plate at Good Vibes

If you're short of time, this 25 minute class is ideal. Small class sizes means it feels more like personal training, with results to match. If you haven't yet tried a power plate, you must! There's nothing quite like trying to walk down the stairs after a few short bursts of intense squats on the plate the day before... Also, nobody looks better in lycra than Good Vibes founder Nahid de Belgeonne. She's the best advertisement in town for the benefits of a regular power plate workout.