JOANNA LUMLEY ON 'AWFUL' DIET CHANGE THAT HAD MAJOR 40-YEAR PERK

Dame Joanna Lumley has openly talked about her struggles with a life-altering diet choice she made - but stuck with. The 79-year-old actress, best known for her roles in Absolutely Fabulous and Netflix's Fool Me Once, claimed that becoming a vegetarian was an "awful" experience at first.

She has previously talked about her journey to becoming a vegetarian on the Waitrose-sponsored Dish podcast with Nick Grimshaw and Angela Hartnett. The actress said: "It was awful to begin with, going out to restaurants and dinner parties, because people didn't know what to do.

"They'd panic and try to make you eight eggs and sort of lasagnes which just turned into huge slabs of concrete with something horrifying in between. There was no way of saying, can I just eat the vegetables?"

• I'm A Celebrity LIVE updates: Alex Scott voted out as she shares camp secret
• Dame Esther Rantzen's sad admission about having her family Christmas early this year

The star, who has been a vegetarian since the late 1970s, is a vocal advocate for sustainable living and animal rights. Thankfully, she says, the growing acceptance of vegetarianism has made life easier for her and others who follow plant-based diets, reports Surrey Live.

Despite this, Joanna never misses an opportunity to express her gratitude when someone accommodates her diet. She added: "I like raw things very much, like salads and stuff. I'm so touched when anybody's done anything vegetarian for me."

Approximately 6.1 million Brits have embraced vegetarianism as of 2025, research by Finder claims. This figure includes 5.2% who were already following a meat-free diet (roughly 2.8 million individuals) alongside 6.3% planning to adopt vegetarian habits this year - adding another 3.4 million to the list.

Joanna has become well-known for her plant-based approach to eating, typically choosing lighter bites and smaller servings rather than hefty portions. Back in 2021, she attributed her wellbeing to her meat-free choices, boasting she's 'never ill' - though she confessed that making the leap to full veganism would prove tough.

She claimed at the time: "I've been a vegetarian for more than 40 years and I'm never ill. The diet I love best is: eat stuff, mostly vegetables, not too much. And exercise? I have a tall thin house and I run up and down the stairs a lot!"

During an appearance on the Table Manners podcast with Jessie and Lennie Ware, she went on to expalin: "I suddenly thought I was not going to do this anymore. I am not going to eat meat or fish. No more, finished, gone. But I am not a vegan. That is the next step, but I love cheese."

What are the health perks of becoming a vegetarian?

Adopting a vegetarian way of life brings several benefits, such as lowering the chances of heart conditions, cancer and type 2 diabetes. It can also support weight management and encourage better skin. Research has shown that consuming more vegetables can lead to improved skin health, thanks to plant compounds known as polyphenols and skin-boosting nutrients like vitamins C and E.

Studies suggest that a diet mainly consisting of plants may be healthier, with fewer reported cases of obesity. It could result in significantly greater weight loss for those looking to lose a few pounds (depending on your starting point).

Studies have shown that a vegetarian diet can significantly lower the risk of chronic illnesses. These diets are often linked with lower rates of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers, leading to improved overall health and a reduced likelihood of serious health problems.

Vegetarian meals are typically high in fibre, which is good for digestive health and supports a strong immune system. Moreover, the variety of fruits and vegetables included in a vegetarian diet are packed with antioxidants that help protect cells from damage.

While being a vegetarian can greatly reduce your chances of developing chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes, it doesn't make you entirely immune to illness. It's important to maintain a balanced vegetarian diet to ensure you receive all the necessary nutrients and keep your immune system strong.

Speak with your doctor before making any major diet changes to see if it will be suitable for you. Those who suffer with specific medical conditions might find restrictive diets difficult to follow long-term without missing out on key nutrients.

What is a vegetarian? What do they typically eat?

A vegetarian is a person who doesn't eat any sort of meat, poultry, fish, or shellfish. Their diet typically includes different kinds of grains, pulses, nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables.

Based on personal beliefs or preferences, some people might include dairy products and eggs in their diet. Others might choose to restrict or relax their approach to vegetarianism, such as pescatarians who will still include fish in their diet.

Alternatively, people may adopt a much stricter form of vegetarianism - knonw as veganism. This excludes all animal products and may also expand into other aspects of daily life, avoiding certain cosmetics or clothing items.

2025-11-29T07:58:32Z