In a world bombarded with wellness trends, Ella Mills, founder of Deliciously Ella, is calling for a return to simplicity. Fourteen years since she launched her recipe blog, Mills reflects on how the wellness industry has transformed into a complex and costly labyrinth, straying far from its original purpose. In a candid conversation on The Independent’s *Well Enough* podcast, she emphasises the importance of ‘gentle habits’ over fleeting health fads for achieving sustainable wellbeing.
The Evolution of Wellness
Once a cheerful initiative aimed at encouraging vegetable consumption and home cooking, the wellness movement has morphed into a multi-trillion-pound industry, rife with noise and confusion. Mills reminisces about a time when the focus was on the joy of cooking and the excitement of new ingredients. “Wellness just wasn’t something that existed in the ether around us,” she recalls, contrasting the early days of Instagram with the current market saturated with products and prescriptions.
Mills argues that the proliferation of wellness trends has led to a paradox: while the industry thrives financially, public health is deteriorating. She points to alarming statistics: our vegetable intake has plummeted to its lowest in 50 years, and over half of our calories now derive from ultra-processed foods. “We’re letting go of the basics,” she states firmly, questioning the efficacy of an industry that profits while the health of the population declines.
The Pressure to Conform
The wellness landscape today is laden with expectations. There’s a relentless pressure to invest in the latest gadgets, powders, and supplements, alongside the burden of adhering to strict dietary protocols. Mills articulates the frustration many feel as they navigate conflicting messages about what constitutes healthy eating. “It’s incredibly frustrating,” she says, highlighting the absurdity of a booming industry that correlates with rising illness rates.
The shift from wellness as a practice to wellness as a product has serious implications. Social media, once a platform for encouragement, has devolved into a battleground of dietary dogmas. “It’s wildly nuanced and very dogmatic,” Mills observes, noting how the tone has changed dramatically. Each day brings new dietary contradictions, leaving many to wonder, “What’s the point?”
Embracing Gentle Habits
In response to this overwhelming atmosphere, Mills advocates for a more approachable and sustainable method of nurturing health. She proposes the adoption of ‘gentle habits’—small, manageable actions that can seamlessly integrate into daily life without the need for excessive willpower. “Eating super well this week will not do anything for your long-term health,” she explains. “But small things every single day, for decades, will do enormous things for your health.”
For Mills, these gentle habits can be as simple as incorporating an extra serving of vegetables into meals or batch-cooking once a week. The emphasis is on making health improvements feel attainable rather than daunting. “It’s that idea of 1 per cent closer to your goal every day,” she assures, underscoring the power of consistency over perfection.
Practical Solutions for Everyday Life
Mills’ latest book, *Quick Wins*, embodies her philosophy of low-effort cooking that supports busy lifestyles. She emphasises the importance of structure in meal preparation to ease the decision-making process during hectic evenings. “You get home and you think, ‘I’ve got the ingredients, this will be ready in half an hour. Done,’” she explains, promoting recipes that are not only nourishing but also comforting.
Her approach to meals reflects a desire to remove barriers to healthy eating. Whether it’s a quick one-tray bake or a simple yet delicious beans on toast recipe, Mills focuses on making healthy food feel accessible and enjoyable. “There’s nothing wrong with toast,” she reassures. “It’s just that adding things to the toast is more beneficial.”
Why it Matters
Mills’ insights challenge us to rethink our relationship with wellness. As we navigate an increasingly complex health landscape, her emphasis on simplicity and consistency offers a refreshing perspective. By prioritising gentle habits over intense resolutions, we can cultivate a more sustainable approach to wellbeing that celebrates progress rather than perfection. In a world that often equates health with hustle, Mills reminds us that sometimes, the best path to wellness is through kindness, patience, and the understanding that we are already enough.
