‘Two-minute noodles followed by a chocolate-chip cookie’: A drag queen’s diet

Art Simone is a drag performer. The 32-year-old shares her day on a plate.

8.19am Some Vegemite on slightly burnt wholegrain toast and a low-sugar Yakult.

10.34am A Caramello Koala before packing costumes, wigs and accessories for the evening.

11.45am A sugar-free Red Bull before a shower, shave and my make-up routine.

4pm A caesar salad before my costume fitting. It’s followed by three Ritz crackers with hummus and a mimosa that is heavy on the OJ.

7.17pm Iced water with a slice of lemon after my first drag show, then it’s out for my second.

8.48pm A Pepsi Max and a handful of salted crisps.

10.44pm My third and final show done, I have beef-flavoured two-minute noodles with added chilli, followed by a chocolate-chip cookie.

Dr Joanna McMillan says:

Top marks for… Hmmm, well, the probiotic drink and the fibre from your wholegrain bread are good for gut health (though burning the toast does produce potential carcinogens). While not the healthiest salad, your caesar does contain lettuce, your only veg for the day, and the hummus is fabulously nutrient-rich.

If you keep eating like this you’ll… Fall short on many nutrients as you don’t have enough of a balanced diet’s core foods. You risk long-term impacts on your physical and mental health as a result of nutrient deficiencies.

Why don’t you try… Getting more wholefoods into breakfast and lunch and having a lighter snack in the evening after your shows. Add eggs and vegies such as avocado, spinach, mushrooms, asparagus and tomato to your toast. Rather than a caesar salad, have the chicken with dark leafy greens, other chopped vegetables, legumes such as canned beans and an olive oil-based dressing.

Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday.