Health Scan

Lifestyle Q&A:Myles Dungan, RTÉ radio presenter and author of Conspiracy: Irish Political Trials

Do you think you have a healthy lifestyle?

I have a moderately healthy lifestyle. Like everyone else, I have to battle with my weight and I try to do this by cycling almost everywhere. When the weight starts to creep up, I institute food rationing. I don’t have much choice – early coronaries are a family thing.

How often do you exercise?

I cycle almost every day in Dublin traffic, I tend to approach this like a regular player of Russian roulette – at some point the SUV with my name on it will get me.

I also try to run two to three times a week for about 30 minutes, and I get in the occasional swim whenever I can.

Do you get your five a day?

I presume we’re talking fruit and veg. I do my best. As long as I don’t have to eat celery or mushy peas I’m okay. I’m married to a vegetarian, so I don’t eat as much meat as I used to.

Do you worry?

Not a whole lot, but a little more than I used to. The world is a more uncertain place these days.

I used to make slightly longer-term plans than I do now, but things seem to change a bit too quickly these days.

What do you do to relax?

I’m not great one for not doing anything. I tend to have a few projects on the go, one of which will need urgent attention at any particular time. I’d love to say I spend my leisure time whitewater kayaking, ice climbing, hillwalking, but really I’m utterly boring and just watch TV when I stop working, preferably BBC4.

What’s your unhealthiest habit?

A sweet tooth.

Most of the additional weight comes from an unmasculine love of chocolate, biscuits and cakes.

I’m not a huge drinker – though I like the odd beer or glass of wine – but I more than make up for it by my inability to turn down something sweet.

When I’m trying to keep my weight down, the NRA builds bypasses for me around KitKats, Snacks and Yorkies.