When I tell them I run a cafeteria, they say, “You can’t, you’re so slim!” † Stories behind the news

“When I tell people that I run a cafeteria, I often get the response: ‘That’s impossible, you’re so slim!’ Cafeterias are getting more and more negative in the news, but I don’t support that. In the 27 years that I have been behind the deep-fat fryer, I notice that young and old increasingly come to get fries and eat more. Children can easily eat large fries with extra sauce and two snacks. This is also due to the parents, they have the responsibility to teach their children to eat healthy. I think the most important thing is to eat everything in moderation. You won’t get fat if you eat fries once a week, but if you eat double portions every week it can be harmful. I’m not fat either and eat fries every Friday. Delicious, fries with mayonnaise and peanut sauce and a croquette on the side.”

What does your lifestyle look like?

We eat vegetables six days a week. When Hans is in the cafeteria, I cook him a healthy meal. We alternate meat with fish or vegetarian. Sometimes I don’t use a meat substitute and we eat pasta with vegetables and tomato sauce, for example. If we do eat meat, I choose organic. I know that this is not possible for everyone, because organic meat is more expensive, but quality is very important to me. I also drink about two liters of water every day. I also drink coffee. I don’t buy soft drinks because they contain a lot of sugars. If my kids want soda, they have to buy it themselves. We also give the plants water and no soft drinks. My husband and I sometimes go out for dinner. Sometimes I like to enjoy a glass of wine. I’ll stick to a glass and no more. I used to smoke. It was quite normal in our home to smoke a cigarette as a 14-year-old child. I stopped when I was pregnant with my daughter and I haven’t touched a cigarette since.

Do you exercise a lot?

Movement is very important to me. That also ensures that you can now and then eat some chips or drink a glass of wine, as I like to do on the weekend. Before corona I regularly went to a gym for women. There I did a half hour power circuit. Unfortunately, that gym has stopped during the lockdown. Now I work out at home in the living room. More exercise is an area for improvement. During the lockdown I gained four kilos. I am not dissatisfied with my body, but if I can I want to lose those four kilos.

What is your greatest sin?

I don’t really have a sin. I don’t see that fries evening as a sin, because I cook every day myself with enough vegetables. Sometimes I have a sniff moment, we all have that sometimes. Afterwards I regret it and I resolve not to do it again. What I eat every morning is one block of 85% dark chocolate with coffee. I have been doing this for years and there is no special reason, just that I like it. A wonderful moment every morning that I allow myself every day.

What is your golden tip for a healthy life?

Eat in moderation. Everything that stands for ‘too’ is not good except for tepeace. Chewing is also important, so your intestines can digest the food better. Eating slowly can also help with this. Enjoy what you eat and make conscious choices. Balance is important to me in a healthy diet. Healthy food on weekdays and fries on Friday evening and a snack platter at the weekend. I think that is a good diet for myself.”

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