Model Christine McGuinness reveals she’s ‘never even tasted a tomato’ and lives on pasta and pizza

Christine McGuinness has today revealed she has never tasted a tomato in an eye-opening Q&A with the Daily Mail’s Good Health. 

The model and TV star confessed to living on pasta, pizza, potatoes, toast and bagels.

The 35-year-old, who also admitted that she rarely gets her five-a-day, claimed her beige-heavy diet was down to her autism.

‘One of the most common autistic traits is an oversensitivity to certain foods,’ said Christine.

‘I’ve never even tasted a tomato. 

‘I live on pasta, pizza, potatoes, toast and bagels.’

The 35-year-old (pictured at the Lorraine show last month), who also admitted that she rarely gets her five-a-day, claimed her beige-heavy diet was down to her autism

Christine also told how she has a ‘very sweet tooth’ when asked about her ‘vices’, pointing to her love of Jelly Babies, wine gums and Curly Wurlys.

The mother-of-three, who split from ex-husband Top Gear presenter Paddy, 49, last summer after 11 years together, has openly discussed her experiences with autism since being diagnosed  in 2021.

She recently explored the late diagnosis of the developmental disability in women in her BBC documentary, Unmasking My Autism.

In the same programme, she shared that she ‘didn’t want to live’ after being sexually abused from the age of nine to 11 and raped when she was a teenager.

Christine and Paddy’s children — twins Leo and Penelope, ten, and Felicity, seven — also have autism.

Christine has previously revealed that they share the same sensitivities to food, which saw them eat chicken nuggets and chips for dinner on Christmas Day. 

UNDER THE MICROSCOPE: Model and autism campaigner Christine McGuinness, 35, takes our health quiz

Can you run up the stairs?

Yes. I’ve got children (twins Leo and Penelope, ten, and Felicity, seven), so I’m up and down the stairs all the time. I’ll try to go to the gym and do yoga a couple of times a week. I don’t do it for body image, but to switch off.

Get your five a day?

No. One of the most common autistic traits [Christine was diagnosed in 2021] is an oversensitivity to certain foods. I’ve never even tasted a tomato. I live on pasta, pizza, potatoes, toast and bagels.

Ever dieted? 

When I was a teenager my weight plummeted to about 7st. I’m 5ft 10in, so I was seriously underweight. But nowadays I don’t weigh myself. If my clothes fit then I’m happy.

Any vices?

I’ve got a very sweet tooth. From Jelly Babies to wine gums and Curly Wurlys.

Any family ailments? 

Me and my children are autistic and my mum is pretty sure she is, too, but she hasn’t been assessed yet. Four aunties and my mum have had breast cancer. One auntie sadly passed away, so there are three survivors and Mum, who is in remission. I get checked regularly.

Cope well with pain?

Really well. I had C-sections with all my children, and I was up and about after a couple of hours.

Pop any pills?

I’ve started taking the hormone melatonin because I have insomnia. I get vivid nightmares so I don’t enjoy sleeping — and I toss and turn.

Would you have plastic surgery?

I had a breast enlargement after I had children. Right now, I don’t want any more, but I’d never say never.

Tried alternative remedies?

Yoga is about as alternative as it gets.

Ever been depressed?

Yes, very badly in my teenage years, to the point where I was suicidal. The only thing that stopped me was that I knew I wanted to be a mum, and I wanted to live for that. I still have moments where my mind can play games with me, but looking at my children stops me from spiralling.

Hangover cure?

In my teens I used to love cranberry vodka as you couldn’t taste the alcohol; I’ve never enjoyed the taste of alcohol. I haven’t had it for 15 years so I can’t remember what a hangover feels like. I stopped drinking because I was on this mission to be a mum.

What keeps you awake?

Insomnia. And my children. When you’ve got children with additional needs, there are extra concerns.

Any phobias?

Any kind of creepy crawly and animal — I don’t even like cats and dogs.

Like to live for ever?

My biggest ambition is to be around for ever to look after my children.

Christine is working with Vanish and charity Ambitious About Autism on a new campaign: Me, My Autism And I.