Binge Britain

binge britain: diet doctors specials (6/6)

Over 60 per cent of people in the UK are either overweight or obese, with many of us bingeeating ourselves into early graves. In this series, six super-fit athletes have v

binge britain: diet doctors
specials (5/6)

Over 60 per cent of people in the UK are either overweight or obese, with many of us binge-eating ourselves into early graves. In this series, six superfit athletes have volunteered to become human lab rats for two weeks in order to illustrate what effect the nation’s favourite food is having on our bodies. This episode sees boxer Cathy Brown take on a diet with a difference: fast food, three times a day for a fortnight.

binge britain: diet doctors specials (4/6)

Over 60 per cent of people in the UK are either overweight or obese, with many of us binge-eating ourselves into early graves. In this series, six superfit athletes have volunteered to become human lab rats for two weeks in order to illustrate what effect the nation’s favourite food is having on our bodies. This episode sees bodybuilder and powerboat racer Sarah Donohue embark on a carb-packed fortnight. How will eating a whole loaf of bread a day affect Sarah’s muscle-bound body?

binge britain: diet doctors specials (3/6)

Over 60 per cent of people in the UK are either overweight or obese, with many of us binge-eating ourselves into early graves. In this series, six superfit athletes have volunteered to become human lab rats for two weeks in order to illustrate what effect the nation’s favourite food is having on our bodies. This episode sees Olympic sprinter Iwan Thomas spending two weeks indulging in one of Britain’s worst habits: eating too much red meat.

binge britain: diet doctors specials (2/6)

Over 60 per cent of people in the UK are either overweight or obese, with many of us binge eating ourselves into early graves. In this series, six super-fit athletes have volunteered to become human lab rats for two weeks in order to illustrate what effect the nation’s favourite food is having on our bodies. This episode sees ex-Olympic swimmer Karen Pickering eat eight chocolate bars a day, whilst reducing her exercise regime to the national average.

Karen Pickering is a born competitor with a string of honours to her name. In a career that spanned almost 20 years, she was a world champion four times and won a staggering 13 Commonwealth and 13 European Championship medals, as well as acquiring two world records and an MBE.

Karen’s training regime used to involve 20 hours a week of pool practice and four weekly sessions in the gym. As her friend Jamie explains: “Nothing would come between her and her training... She would get in at one o’clock in the morning after clubbing, and get up at five to go training.” Karen confesses that she is always 100 per cent focused on her goals. “I’ve always been incredibly competitive, incredibly determined,” she says. With her body so well trained, she knows exactly what food she needs to eat to keep herself in top shape. And although she may no longer be competing, Karen is still in excellent health. “Karen is probably significantly fitter than your average person in the street,” says her trainer, Dave Champion.