Jenny Powell has "no need" for a microwave as she never eats ready meals.

Jenny Powell

Jenny Powell

The 51-year-old star has no need for the appliance as she insisted that she's "careful" about what she eats and will always make her own food as she is wary of the "hidden poisons" in processed food.

In an interview with the Daily Star newspaper, she said: "If we want a shepherd's pie then I'll make one. I don't even have a microwave at home because we have no need for one.

"You have to be careful about what you put into your body there are so many hidden poisons in processed foods."

The television personality - who has daughters Constance, 18, and 10-year-old Pollyanna with former husband Toby Baxendale - went on to admit that although it can be a "job in itself" juggling healthy eating with a family it's all "about body maintenance."

Jenny - who can currently be seen on 5Star reality show 'Celebs on the Ranch' - said: "It's so easy when you've got kids and you're running around, and it is a job in itself making sure you eat healthily but its body maintenance."

However, Jenny isn't "manic" about her diet and will allow herself to indulge in dark organic chocolate and the occasional steak as treats.

She said: "But I've never been, manic about it all, I love chocolate so I just buy dark organic chocolate instead and I'm a little bit of a carnivore, I love a good steak."

Jenny started her career in children's television so she "had to behave" and couldn't go out partying all night, and that approach to alcohol has remained through to her 50s.

She spilled: "I always had to behave I had the odd drink but have never been one to stay out all night even back in the day."