Rugby star James Haskell has said Britons are in need of a health and fitness revolution, comparing most of the population to “burst sausages”.
The sportsman, 33, said schools needed to up the quality of nutrition information given to young people — claiming the NHS was also giving “outdated” advice.
Haskell, who has played for Wasps and Northampton Saints, said: “When [news outlets] print pictures of people on a night out, you realise most of the population are like burst sausages.
“That is an eye opener for me. Perhaps this fitness revolution could do with coming a bit quicker.”
He added: “Nutrition is still the thing people get wrong — they don’t understand what they should be eating. NHS doctors don’t know anything about nutrition. They are still relying on food pyramids. The advice they are giving is outdated. It should be taught in schools. It is about educating kids.”
Haskell last month married fitness guru Chloe Madeley, daughter of television hosts Richard and Judy, in Berkshire. But despite the couple being dedicated to their fitness — with Haskell last month releasing his second fitness cook book — the 6ft 4in player said they often indulge.
“People think you are like robots,” he said. “They ask if we ever let our hair down — of course. Do I come home after a game and say: ‘I’m going to have a pizza, a whisky, a beer’ — yes.”
Haskell has teamed up with Omar Meziane, who cooked for the England team during the 2018 Fifa World Cup, for his latest book Cooking For Fitness.
On the book the sportsman said: “I wanted to create a book that was simple, that meant whatever your goal you would find simple recipes.”
Cooking For Fitness: Eat Smart, Train Better is out now for £19.95
