Healthy eating in Elephant and Castle from DIY to BYO

With the whiff of summer in the air, thoughts turn to al fresco and healthy eating, with food bright enough to match the longed-for sunshine. 
 
If you’re looking for a wide variety of fresh produce, a market is always the best place to go – and with minimal packaging, plus being able to choose exactly what you need, it’s much better for the environment. Walking around the markets is also a good way to start on the 150 minutes of exercise a week recommended by the NHS for a healthy lifestyle.

East Street is one of London’s oldest and busiest markets. It’s open every day except Monday, so there’s plenty of opportunity to grab something ripe and ready towards your five a day, whether you’re creating a picnic lunch or breakfast juice.

But what if you need your fresh fix on a Monday? Then head to The Blue, a central marketplace in Bermondsey, open Monday to Saturday, with a select group of traders selling food and clothes.

If you’d prefer to leave the cooking to the professionals, there’s plenty of options for eating out. Petit Bleu, close to London Bridge station, offers a wide variety of food and drinks, including a good selection of salads and smoothies. Open during the day, every day except Sunday, it’s a great spot to grab lunch.

If late-night eats are needed, vegetarian Persian restaurant Persepolis, on Peckham High Street, is a good bet, and is open until 9pm seven days a week. To add to the bonhomie of your evening, it’s bring your own (BYO). If you like what you eat, you can buy the ingredients in the accompanying deli, to create your own Middle Eastern cuisine at home.