I am approaching the halfway mark of #Veganuary – vegan January. I am now used to the change in my diet but facing a new obstacle, what should I do for dinner?

Nick Knowles’ new cook book, Proper Healthy Food, which promises hearty vegan and vegetarian recipes for meat lovers like myself, has come to my rescue.

Over the past ten years he has hosted BBC1 prime time Saturday night quiz shows Break the Safe, Secret Fortune and Who Dares Wins, and he is the presenter of BBC1’s most watched and longest running prime time factual series DIY SOS – The Big Build.

In 2015 Nick Knowles felt overweight, unhealthy and was feeling every one of his 53 years. He travelled to Thailand for a retreat and after fasting for a week, and then adopting a purely vegan diet, Nick returned a changed man.

Now slimmer, healthier, and eating a vegan or vegetarian diet (with the odd day off), Nick wants to share what he has learned. He says: “I need hearty meals not thin weedy plates and I often work outside in cold and wet conditions – a salad won’t cut it – so here’s a vegan and vegetarian cookbook for meat eaters full of hearty filling healthy recipes. And if I can do it – then you can do it.”

He begins the book by outlining a few worthy reasons to give up either meat or all animal products, this was the added persuasion I needed, and then begins with the section Banging Breakfasts.

The chapter certainly lives up to its name, with vegetarian options including red pepper shakshuka – a Middle Eastern tomato and egg dish and galettes – which he calls “a posh pancake”, with vegan options such as Boston baked beans and granola.

The subsequent chapters do not disappoint either. There’s gazpacho, falafel, pad thai, ramen, koftas, raw lasagne and roti, while desserts include avocado shortbread and coconut energy balls; with a vast array of veggie options on top.

By following Proper Healthy Food Nick lost 9 kilos in 3 weeks, his cholesterol fell by a third and his blood pressure dropped to a healthy level but he promises it is rabbit food-free.

You can attend An Evening with Nick Knowles, arranged by Chorleywod Bookshop at Sarratt Village Hall, Sarratt, WD3 6AS, Thursday, January 12, 7.30pm.

Details: chilternbookshops.co.uk