Interview: Heather Mills

Considering giving up meat, fish and dairy? We caught up with vegan icon, Heather Mills, to chat about all things plant-based

Heather Mills has achieved an impressive amount in her 57 years. She’s been a model, campaigner and nabbed a Guinness World Record as the fastest disabled female skier of all time. She’s also married and divorced a Beatle and set up more groundbreaking businesses than you can shake a cruelty-free stick at. Feeling inspired? You haven’t seen anything yet…

You look amazing: quite the advertisement for veganism! Tell us about your plant-based journey.

“In 1993, I crossed the street and ended up losing my leg, crushing my pelvis and splitting my head open. Five months later I was still in hospital and still not healing. A friend introduced me to a vegan diet and I swear I healed in two weeks. There was no going back. I created my own vegan food company so I could eat anything I liked, by replicating what turned out to be hundreds of meat, fish and dairy alternatives.”

What tip would you give to anyone considering becoming vegan?

“Start slow. For me, being vegetarian was never good enough as eating dairy can cause so many ailments. Even fast-food addicts can find brands to reach for, like Vbites, which give easy alternatives. Eventually, you will find yourself naturally adding more beans, lentils, pulses and vegetables into your diet.”

Is it possible to eat vegan on a budget?

“It’s such a myth that vegan is more expensive! I’ve done countless spreadsheets to show families how much waste happens in their house. Not only can being vegan be more cost-effective, but it can also lead to a happier, healthier life. The key is to look at the requirements for a whole month. I’m always stocked up on kale, spinach, aubergines, carrots, courgettes, potatoes, rice and quinoa as you can make so many meals with them.”

“We guess you’re a force in the kitchen. What do you cook for friends?

“I like to show them they can eat the same things as they do in a restaurant, but plant based. I had a TV show in Italy called My Planet Vegan, where I taught Michelin chefs how to do vegan versions of favourites like soufflés, lasagnes and pizzas, which was so much fun.”

How else has being vegan affected your health?

“I’m 57 and still have periods! It may be genetic, but I believe it’s my diet because until I went vegan, I couldn’t have children. I kept having miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies, but after going vegan, within years I had a beautiful baby. I strongly believe veganism is the future and I’ve been shouting about it for 30 years! You may feel like you can’t do anything about the state of the world, but individuals make choices – and those individuals become groups. I want to educate as many people as I can and feed them great food.”

You’ve launched a new food line, No Bloat. Can you tell us a little about it?

“No Bloat is going to change people’s lives, offering on-the-go, healthy, clean food to help heal gut issues. In 1999 I was diagnosed with Lyme disease, which destroyed my colon, caused my appendix to burst, as well as me having to have my gallbladder removed. I was told I had to live with a stoma, which I refused. Then, while on a liquid diet and suffering from extreme IBS for years – all while training for my Guinness World Record! – it was discovered I was intolerant to onions, garlic, and many mushrooms. Once I understood the problem, I created No Bloat, and I’m proud to say that after 13 years of testing with cameras in the colon, it’s now the first food to get stamped by the Harley Street Functional Gut Clinic, Monash University and Dr Michael Klaper.”

You also founded the make-up brand, Be At One, with your make-up artist pal Milena Thacker. How hands on are you?

“When I met Melina, she’d created a make-up business but didn’t know anything about veganism, so I worked with her to create a high-quality, low-cost vegan brand. One of the big companies recently wanted our mascara because it’s amazing and doesn’t irritate the eye, but we said no as we want to keep the price low, as well as save animals. I’m a bright red lipstick girl, but it amazes me how few people know they swallow insects every time they lick their red lips. We use vegetable colouring, not crushed beetles.”

What’s next?

“At the moment the food industry is a mess, so I would like to help change that. The country is obese, and the government are soft and allowing people to get lazy. It’s pretty simple, but common sense is disappearing. It’s time to stop making excuses. There needs to be a revolution – and we do that through the choices we make.”

Find out more and shop for the No Bloat line-up here.