Pascale Naessens

At a glance

• Pascale Naessens (Eeklo, 1969) is a Flemish cookbook author, former model and television presenter.
• She became known as an announcer on VTM, where until 2006 she also presented programmes such as Huis en Thuis, TV-Makelaar and Red mijn huis.
• Her first cookbook, Mijn Pure Keuken, appeared in 2010, followed by titles such as Puur Genieten, Puur Eten and Puur Pascale. All her cookbooks reached the non-fiction top ten, and she is one of the best-selling authors in Flanders.
• Her approach centres on unprocessed food, plenty of vegetables and few starchy carbohydrates. She also advises against combining animal protein and starch in the same meal.
• Her views have drawn criticism. In 2015 nutrition expert Patrick Mullie compared her low-carb approach to the Atkins and Montignac diets, and in 2016 child psychiatrist Annik Simons warned that such food ideas can attract young people with eating disorders.
• I include her because her books shape the eating habits of many people in Flanders.
• Takeaway: more vegetables and less processed food is a good idea; strictly separating protein and carbohydrates has no strong scientific basis.