Celebrity Health - Ruth O'Neill

My active life

Ruth O’Neill from Castleknock, Dublin is a former model turned TV presenter who moved to Los Angeles at the age of 22 and interviewed celebrities on the red carpet for E! News and ABC for five years. Last year Ruth returned to Dublin to present Xposé on TV3.

What sort of exercise do you do to keep in shape?

Working on Xposé means you have a crazy schedule, but I would usually go to a personal trainer and do a mix of bootcamp, weights, HIIT training, cardio and kettle bells about twice a week. I like to go for a walk a couple of times a week too. When I lived in LA I was mad about spinning and used to love their yoga classes which were more of a workout combined with positive visualisation. I also loved hiking and the weather there was great for being outside. I find it hard to find time to exercise, but then I always write it in my diary so that I can see whether I have done enough. My job involves running to shoots and flights at short notice and I burn a lot of calories that way too.

What sort of foods do you eat to stay healthy?

I eat a balanced diet and am not too strict, but I have a huge appetite for healthy food. I’m obsessed with porridge and don’t really eat anything else for breakfast, although I change toppings to different fruits and nuts. Mid-morning I get a bit of an energy slump, so I might have a granola bar and coffee. For lunch I would have a wrap or a salad. Dinner is usually fish and vegetables, a stir fry or meat and salad. For a while when I was living in America I was feeling run down and fatigued and had a few sinus infections, so I had food allergy testing done and found out that I have an allergy to chicken, olives, coconut, almonds, wheat and dairy. I don’t really cut out wheat and dairy because it is just too difficult, but I have stopped eating chicken, coconut and almonds and don’t miss them at all. The last time I had chicken I had stomach cramps. I think you can become allergic to food you are eating too much of, and I was told not to eat the same food every day but to vary it. I love sprout juices from Avoca.

Do you take any natural supplements?

I have been back in Ireland for a few months and have been finding the winter pretty hard. My doctor recommended a number of vitamins and supplements because I was suffering from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). So I take vitamins C, D and B, evening primrose oil, omega 3 and a probiotic. I take these throughout the day as I find it too hard to take them all at once. I really miss the sunshine and just find it so dark here, so the most important one I take is vitamin D.

Do you ever worry about your health?

Yes I do. My job involves a lot of running around and I worry about how that stress affects my body. It is also unpredictable, which doesn’t help when trying to plan your life, exercise and diet. The yoga I did in California was really great and I just need to find something like that in Dublin.

How do you relax when you are not in the public eye?

I haven’t been back long so I am still looking for things to do in Dublin. I like walking in the Phoenix Park with my mum, I am trying to read more books. What I really love is being on the beach in the sun and hearing the calming sound of the ocean.

Do you have any health tips for Rude Health readers?

I am trying to drink one green juice a day and have noticed a difference in my eyes, skin and hair.
Try to find time for exercise in your life. It is so important for your head as well as your body.
Try to discover things that relax you.
Keep an eye on portion sizes.

Interview by Lucy Taylor. Image of Ruth O'Neill courtesy of TV3

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