Em The Nutritionist is arguably one of the most popular nutritionists in the UK right now. Shooting to fame and amassing over two million social media followers, the glowing chef has inspired millions to give healthy cooking a go.
Her USP? She makes simple, tasty, nutrient-dense food that you actually look forward to eating, coming up with clever protein, fibre, and vegetable-packed twists on sandwiches, soups, cakes and more. While nutrition influencers in the past have been more – shall we say, prescriptive – Em is the poster girl of the 2026 approach to wellbeing, one where food is intrinsically linked with how you feel and focuses on what you can add to your plate, rather than cut out.
“I’ve always been passionate about good food that nourishes both your body and mind,” she shares exclusively with Marie Claire UK. “If you don’t enjoy it, what’s the point?” She reckons that this is because she comes from a family of chefs, where food was at the forefront of any occasion. “That said, when I was introduced to the world of nutrition, it was all about diet restriction.” Her cookbooks aim to break that mould entirely, though, reminding her millions of followers and fans that food is never just about nutrients, but rather, joy, too.
Whether you’re after simple savoury breakfast ideas that you actually look forward to, easy meal prep ideas, or quick protein-and-veg packed air fryer dinner recipes (because yep, she loves an air fryer), Em gets our vote. I don’t know a single MC UK staffer who hasn’t made one of her recipes, so much so that at least five of us pre-ordered her most recent, now Sunday Times best-selling, book.
Keen to try a few of her recipes before buying? Below, she shares some of her go-to meals, including her favourite breakfast tacos and a veg-packed glow bowl from the book. We’ve also included some of team MC UK’s go-to recipes, including that crispy potato salad. Keen to read more of Em’s philosophy for life? Scroll the Em The Nutritionist health hacks she advises all of her clients to try, here, plus our go-to healthy breakfast ideas, healthy snack ideas, healthy smoothie recipes, and what to eat after a workout, too.
You may like
20 quick, simple and delicious Em The Nutritionist recipes to make tonightBreakfast recipes1. Morning tacos
What the nutritionist thinks? “These are so delicious and so quick, too,” English shares. “I could honestly eat them for breakfast every day. The corn tortilla really makes these so I highly recommend you seek them out, but otherwise mini wheat tortillas will work fine. So simple, these will leave you feeling full, satisfied and balanced, plus they’re great served with a dash of hot chilli sauce too.”
Serves: 1 | Takes: 15 minutes | Macros: 16g protein.
(Image credit: Emily English / Hachette)
Ingredients:
1/4 ripe avocado1 spring onion finely dicedHandful of cherry tomatoes, dicedSqueeze of lemon juicePinch of dried chilli flakes, plus extra to finish5 basil leaves, chopped2 medium free-range eggs2 corn tortillas10g feta cheeseSalt and pepperOptional toppings: 1 tablespoon whole basil leaves1/2 spring onion finely diced1 lemon, cut into wedges.
Method:
Begin by mashing the avocado in a bowl and then mixing with the spring onion, tomatoes, lemon juice, chilli flakes and basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, adding a pinch of salt and pepper. Over a low heat, gently scramble the eggs in a nonstick pan.Toast your tortillas until lightly browned and crisp.Generously spread the avocado mixture over each, followed by a layer of scrambled egg. Finish by crumbling the feta over the top and adding an extra pinch of chilli flakes.2. The Glow Bowl
What the nutritionist thinks? “Back in lockdown, I used to have a Deliveroo kitchen and my Glow Bowl was one of my best sellers,” she shares. “A heavenly mix of grains, feta, jalapeno hummus, roasted squash and pickled red onions. This stores really well and makes for great meal prep.”
Serves: 4 | Takes: 35 minutes | Macros: dependant on protein source.
(Image credit: Emily English)
Ingredients:
500g (1lb 2oz) peeled, deseeded butternut squash1 tablespoon za’atar spice mix1 tablespoon olive oil1 jar of jalapenos250g cooked grain of choice60g rocket leaves200g feta cheese, crumbled200g hummusProtein of choice (cooked chicken, tofu, prawns, etc.)80g pomegranate seedsSalt and pepper1 lemon, cut into wedges, to serveFor the pickle: 150ml white wine vinegar100ml water1 tablespoon caster sugar2 red onions, sliced into roundsFor the dressing: 150g (2/3 cup) natural yogurt1 tablespoon tahiniJuice of 1 lemon1 teaspoon honey.
Method:
For the pickle, pour the vinegar and water into a pan, add the sugar and bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat and immerse the red onion slices in the liquid. Let them pickle as you continue with the prep.Preheat the oven to 230°C/210°C fan (450°F) Gas Mark 8 or set an air fryer to 200°C (400°F).Cut the squash into 2cm (¾ inch) cubes and add to a heatproof bowl. Season with the za’atar spice mix and some salt and coat in the olive oil. Microwave on HIGH for 5 minutes, then spread out on a baking tray and either roast in the oven, or in the air fryer, for 10 minutes. Remove and set aside.In a bowl, mix the dressing ingredients (yogurt, tahini, lemon juice and honey) together with a pinch each of salt and pepper, and set aside.Make a jalapeño sauce by tipping the entire jar of jalapeños, including the brine, into a blender or food processor. Blend to achieve a chunky consistency. Store any leftovers in the original jar in the refrigerator, where it will last for a month.Microwave your chosen grains to heat through.Divide the rocket between 4 bowls, to create the base. Divide the grains, feta, roasted squash and hummus between the bowls. Create a well in the hummus using the back of a spoon and add 1 teaspoon of jalapeño sauce to each. Add any extra protein of choice.Finish with the drained pickled red onions and the pomegranate seeds and serve with the dressing and lemon wedges.3. Hot honey cottage cheese toast4. Cottage cheese bruschetta avocado toast5. Apple crumble overnight oats6. Lemon blueberry oat breakfast muffins7. High protein fluffy french toast8. Speedy baked spinach and feta eggsLunch recipes9. Joe & The Juice-style egg and avo pitta10. Crispy smashed potato hot smoked salmon salad11. Salmon and spinach filo cottage cheese quiche12. Lighter Caesar salad with garlic bread crouton crumb13. “Better than Heinz” tomato soup14. Ginger and lime broth15. 5-a-day cheddar chicken chilli 16. Skin Glow Mackerel Protein Toasts17. Honey Lemon Chicken Proten Prep Boxes Dinner recipes18. Crispy rosemary chilli chicken with honey avocado jalapeño slaw19. Baked cod with tomatoes, fennel and olives20. Chicken and apricot Kofta protein bowls21. Satay skewers with sweet and sour slaw22. Crispy baked parmesan chicken with basil goddess salad23. A nutritionist’s 5-a-day lasagnaDessert recipes24. Healthy three ingredient whipped pistachio pudding potsShop the cookbook now:
So Good: Food you want to eat, designed by a nutritionist
Keen to make more of Emily’s meals? Her cookbook is on sale now and offers easy-to-follow, tasty recipes for all ability levels.
Live To Eat: The food you crave, the nutrition you need
Emily English’s second cookbook, Live To Eat, is packed with more tasty and nutritious meal inspiration for everything from healthy breakfasts to dinner party ideas.
So Good Express: Quick, nutritious food for a busy life
Finally, don’t sleep on Em’s latest cookbook – and the one that prompted The Sunday Times to call her “Gen Z’s Nigella”. Buy for simple, quick recipes for when you’re on-the-go that never scrimp on micronutrients.
I’m always looking for a reliable and reusable food container, which isn’t going to leak on me halfway through the day. This one from Black+Blum is by far my favourite. It’s sustainable, easy to clean and has a large top, which makes it easy to eat from. Wins all round, and a must-buy if you’re planning to take food on the go.
Em’s own brand probiotic has seen rave reviews, promising to boost your health gut bacteria with clever dual release technology.