MKR judge Pete Evans’ paleo diet spreads through the kitchen

PALEO crusader and MKR judge Pete Evans’ controversial diet plan has been adopted by contestant Monique Fitzgerald (pictured), who has not only converted to it but has introduced it to her four kids.

MKR contestants Luciano, 49 and Martino, 47 Italianos from Sydney and Monique, 32 and Sarah, 26, Police officers from Sydney with judges Manu Feildel and Pete Evans pictured at Pyrmont, Sydney. Picture: Jonathan Ng

PETE Evans’s paleo way has finally filtered through to contestants on the hit show the celebrity chef judges, My Kitchen Rules.

Mount Druitt police officer Monique Fitzgerald, 32, has converted to the low protein diet made famous by Evans since filming the reality cooking show, which will premiere on February 1.

Her partner on the series, Sarah Moore, 26, who is also in the NSW Police Force, has experimented with paleo as well.

MKR contestants from left Gianni, 26 and Zana, 24 married lawyers from Melbourne, Paige, 33 and Rosie, 36 best friends from Adelaide, Luciano, 49 and Martino, 47 Italianos from Sydney, Monique, 32 and Sarah, 26, Police officers from Sydney and Alex, 25 and Gareth, 25 Miners from Queensland. Picture: Jonathan Ng

It follows revelations that Evans’ fellow judge, Manu Feildel, recently lost 7kg when he adopted the eating regimen for 10 weeks.

“I wanted to do something to lose weight so I did it,” Feildel said.

“I’ve stopped now but I’ve kept some of the philosophy of it and I’ve been going to the gym and I feel better and younger.”

But Fitzgerald, 32, has become so dedicated to paleo eating, she’s in the process of introducing it to her four young children.

Pete Evans. Picture: Jonathan Ng

MKR contestants Monique, 32, and Sarah, 26, who are NSW police officers. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“Pete has got so much energy and clarity in his eyes and that motivated me,” she said.

“Being paleo has had a lot of health benefits for me. I’m full of energy and my kids have allergies so I’m in the process of rolling out paleo to all of us. It’s changed our life for sure.”

While Evans said his adoption of a paleo lifestyle hadn’t changed the way he approached the show, he’s pleased to see the impact he’s had on people’s lives.

“I’d say it is just the time we are living in,” Evans said, adding that paleo is “changing lives for the better”.

Seven’s My Kitchen Rules is in its seventh year on air and will again see teams of two battle it out in the kitchen to impress the judges.

“We keep doing the formula that works and it’s pretty simple stuff,” Evans said.

“You get a bunch of passionate cooks from all walks of life, different personalities, different philosophies and opinions and throw it into a highly stressful environment where they’re putting their hearts in the plate and Manu and I get to see it unfold, the good, the bad and the ugly.”