How Healthy Food Blogger 'Deliciously Ella' Changed Her Diet, Saved Her Life
When Ella Woodward was diagnosed with a rare disease that baffled her doctors, she took control of the one thing she could: her diet. The British health blogger was told she had Postural Tachycardia Syndrome, which breaks down the immune system, 14 years ago, but she wasn’t told how, exactly, to treat it. Woodward took to the pantry.
She swapped out the processed ingredients she mentions in the video above for more natural versions, and started developing plant-based recipes on a blog she called Deliciously Ella. Just over a year later, she’s got a healthy following—and a healthy body—as well as the fastest-selling debut cookbook ever in the UK. The US version of Deliciously Ella is on bookstore shelves this week.
“I thought it was the worst thing that could ever happen to me,” Woodward told Yahoo Food of the disease. “But it’s turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me.” We chatted with Woodward on Skype last week to find out just what she means by that.
Ella Woodward with a healthy drink. Photo: Clare Winfield
Why was it important to cut out all animal products—go vegan—as opposed to being a vegetarian?
Dairy was one of the things that made me feel the most ill. When I started out, I didn’t want to be a vegan, I just didn’t want to eat food that made me feel ill. So I focused on what was natural and plant-based; the emphasis is on being as natural as possible.
How did the illness affect you?
I’d be out for months, basically stuck in bed. One of the biggest issues was that I had absolutely no energy. My stomach wouldn’t process anything, and my torso was hot [and swollen]—I looked like I was pregnant. The doctors couldn’t control my heart rate—it was at 180-190 beats per minute—and I was too dizzy to walk. That, of course, had a mental effect, and I got pretty depressed.
Do you feel any symptoms today?
Not at all. It took me 18 months after I changed my diet, in September 2013, but since then I’ve been totally good and healthy, which is amazing.
Did any other changes come along with the shift in your diet?
My lifestyle completely changed. I didn’t expect any of that. I read Kris Carr’s book and thought, “Okay I’m gonna do this. I’m gonna change my diet,” but I still thought I’d take medication. I assumed I’d [eat this way] until I got better and then go back to normal—I didn’t think I’d like it or be excited about it—but I enjoyed the food and I felt so good. So I became conscious about eating, and then about every other aspects of life: taking care of myself, creating a healthy relationship with myself, surrounding myself with positive people… I’m more interested in exercise, I’m feeling comfortable… I’m just genuinely really happy these days.
Why did you decide to start sharing your recipes publicly?
I couldn’t cook and I hated healthy food because it was so repetitive. I’d watch my friends eat a burger or candy and I’d want to rip it out of their hands. I was feeling deprived; I felt like I was on a diet. So I started writing a blog—it was meant not for anyone else, but just for me—to force myself to try new things. The aim was three recipes a week. I also needed mental stimulation in my life because I was depressed. I didn’t do anything. I just slept and watched Grey’s Anatomy. And I love Grey’s Anatomy! But you become depressed if that’s all you do. You see your friends on Facebook and you’re in bed for three months in a row. So I thought finding a hobby would really help. I’d make a recipe and not just write it down, but also put it on the Internet, take a picture and upload it… I’d think, “I did something productive today!”
Woodward’s lentil, zucchini, and mint salad. Photo: Clare Winfield
So when did people start reading it?
I didn’t show it to anyone for a while. I told my then-boyfriend what I was doing and he said, “Don’t write a food blog. You don’t cook—I’ve never seen you cook. Do something you know something about.” It was a valid point, but he certainly regrets it now that he sees what happened. Anyway I invited him over, saying “Come have one of my first meals!” and he ate dinner beforehand. People just didn’t believe in this at the time. But then, three months later, friends and friends of friends started sharing the recipes. People just liked the content, and it grew from there.
Who is the audience for this book?
I didn’t really write this with on person in mind. When I started, there weren’t many things like this out there. I had the tiniest questions: Why are some chickpeas in a can and some come dry, in a packet? How are you meant to know? If you want to make healthy change, it can be overwhelming. So it was important to me to include the basics in this book. I appreciate that for a lot of people it’s very basic knowledge, but I tried to make hummus from chickpeas straight from the bag and that did not work—it was not a success!
You say in the book that you don’t like the word vegan, even though you are one. Can you explain that?
It’s not a criticism against anyone who’s vegan—I respect those people. For me, though, this is about creating a community that’s open and accessible for everyone. It’s about taking small steps toward eating better instead of becoming a gluten-free vegan. Also, what’s right for me isn’t necessarily right for you. I do find that we all feel better without gluten, processed dairy, or refined sugar, but after that, if salmon makes you feel amazing, then by all means, have salmon. It’s just about getting people to eat fresh. So if you want to add meat or eggs to these recipes, go on and add it!
Try some of Ella Woodward’s recipes:
