My life in food: Chef Malika Van Reenan

What do you always have in your fridge?

I always have cheese - normally a few different types; avocado; mushrooms; butter; and vegetable pickles. 

What's your ultimate on-the-go snack?

I love dried mango and it's easy to carry with you. 

If you had to choose one meal to have every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Cheese on toast - it's my ultimate favourite. 

How much water do you drink?

I drink many litres of water every day, but also copious amounts of coffee. I try to avoid fizzy drinks and juices because I am diabetic. 

What's your ultimate eating-out tip?

When eating out, try to choose something you haven't had before, or something that's a bit different. 

What are your indulgences?

Chocolate, cheese and ice cream. 

What menu did you set for students at your l'atelier des chefs class at Le Méridien Dubai? 

For starters, grilled prawn with avocado mousse, prawn ceviche, passion fruit and chilli. For mains, seared salmon with potato gnocchi, orange salsa, caramelised fennel and liquorice foam. For dessert, vanilla panna cotta with cinnamon crumble and vanilla poached fruit.

My healthy eating tips

1. Fresh is best and sustainability rules! I opt for organic and sustainably sourced ingredients wherever possible.

2. Rather than filling up on heavy, creamy dishes, choose a lean protein with vegetables and always drink water with your meal.

3. If you can afford it, you should splash out on high-quality ingredients. Good-quality food is always a pleasure.

My diet diary

Breakfast: A strong black coffee and an omelette.

Lunch: A healthy chicken salad. Between meals, I snack on fruits and drink a lot of water. However, I am always tasting dishes as we prepare them.

Dinner: It depends on my mood, but it could be a butter chicken with rice or a South African steak to keep me going through the busy dinner period.

What the nutritionist says  

Nutritionist Sarah Queen is a nutritional consultant and founder of Nutrition Matters Arabia (nutritionmattersarabia.com).

"Malika is eating regularly throughout the day, keeps herself hydrated and eats lots of fruits and vegetables - eating habits that we should all be aiming to achieve. As Malika is diabetic, she needs to maintain balanced blood-sugar levels - oats, brown rice, pulses and wholemeal seeded breads will all help achieve this and should be eaten with each meal. Butter chicken and steak are both high in saturated fat and, being diabetic, Malika is more susceptible to cardiovascular problems - she should look to swap these for oily and white fish, and a reduced-fat chicken dish."