Keeping fit and eating well go hand in hand. Any chef will tell you that we lead the most unorthodox and unhealthy lifestyles – we pick at food all day and have no time to exercise. Only on our days off are we likely to eat properly. However, I refuse to be pigeon-holed into a stereotype. With a little extra knowledge and effort, I believe anyone can make small changes that will improve their diet and everyday lifestyle.

Those who know me know that I don’t believe in faddy diets. I do, however, believe that I can prepare and serve healthy food without jeopardising taste and flavour, or drastically changing my style of cooking. Whether it’s an elegant dinner party or a simple midweek supper, a few simple adjustments are all that’s needed to make our favourite meals that bit more balanced… lower in fat and calories, yet rich in energy-giving nutrients.

When it comes to putting a healthy dish together, balance and moderation are key. It’s not simply a matter of putting the right types of food on a plate. How the food is cooked and seasoned, and how the whole menu comes together are just as important.

And I don’t advocate cutting out butter and cream completely, just using a little here and there where it will really enhance the flavour of a dish. After all, a big part of living a good life is the enjoyment of good food.

Top 12 UK farmers' markets

Dirty dozen: the best of Britain's 600 local-produce markets where you can buy muddy carrots and misshapen fruit that tastes as it should

• Great British Bites: Jersey Royal Potatoes

Related Links

• Devilled casear salad with parma ham

• Chilled watercress and spinach soup

• Rice noodle salad with prawns and thai dressing

Click on the links below to try your hand at a sample of recipes from Gordon Ramsay's Healthy Appetite; three feature exclusive instructional videos.

Chilled watercress and spinach soup - plus exclusive video

Flat bread, feta and chickpea salad - plus exclusive video

Devilled Caesar salad with parma ham

Rice noodle salad with prawns and thai dressing

Red mullet with orange and fennel en papillote - plus exclusive video

Tandoori poussins with mango and relish

Melon and berry salad

Chocolate mousse

All recipes are extracted from Gordon Ramsay’s Healthy Appetite, published by Quadrille Publishing on May 4. Text © Gordon Ramsay 2008. Photography © Lisa Barber 2008. Available from BooksFirst priced £17.50 (RRP £20), free p&p, on 0870 1608080; timesonline.co.uk/booksfirst

Times Recommends

• How to season a wok
• Chicago Rib Shack hits back at its critics
• Gordon Ramsay: Indian barbecue