I never really thought about what I was eating when I was younger, I just liked food. I had to clean my plate and my mom was adamant about vegetables. Thank God for my grandmother, she gave me some good genes and a high metabolism.

My favourite meal that my mom makes me is fried chicken, mashed potatoes and peas. I like to peel the chicken leg off and put my chicken in mashed potatoes and peas and eat it all together. I can make fried chicken but I'm always scared to because I don't know what the inside is going to look like. I fried chicken once and one of my friends picked it apart with her fork and was like, 'Ew! It's still red!' That was embarrassing. I'm still learning. Another time I tried to make banana pudding from scratch and I didn't know that the mixture was too hot for me to put the egg in there. So the egg cooked inside the pudding, like scrambled eggs. I remember everyone looking at me like I was crazy! I thought maybe it was supposed to be like that, like those chunks that my grandmother put in there, but I didn't realise what she put in there was meringue! Everyone tasted it and they were like, 'It's really eggy! What's goin' on with this? This is nasty.'

Hahah! I sound like I pretty much don't know what I'm doing, but I've gotten better. When I'm at home in Miami I make time; I like to cook. And I'll watch the Food Network all day, I don't care what shows are on, I'm totally obsessed. It's dope. A couple of times I've made an Elvis Presley cheeseburger meatloaf by Paula Deen. She just loves putting a stick of butter in everything. That's what I love about her. She cooks with a real Southern style and everything she makes is good.

I would have to say the best places in the world to eat are Thailand and Mexico. I love tuna ceviche. When I was in Mexico I remember the fishermen bringing in the fish every day and the ceviche was so fresh, it was so nice on my palate. I enjoy food that much. But I just love Mexican food in general. I'm talking about fajitas, tacos, nice refried beans, flautas, margaritas, all of it.

My last meal on this earth would have to be some oxtails with rice and gravy, which is a Southern and Caribbean dish. I'd also have some collard greens and macaroni and cheese, corn bread, yams and cabbage. I'd finish it with banana pudding and sweet potato pie. I've never really tried to diet. The only thing I really do when I'm trying to pump iron and bulk up fast is eat a lot of protein and no sweets. I like to be hungry when I go onstage, and afterwards I have a shower and a big meal and then I'm off to bed.

Basically anything that's sweet is my downfall. It doesn't matter if it's a cake, a pie, a brownie. I love ice cream, all of that! I'm bad. My drink of choice would have to be Cabernet or Bailey's. It's my sweet tooth talking again. It creeps up in there every time!

Chocolate brownie

This sweet treat is way too high in sugar to be anything but a bit of a health hazard. However, in the context of Kelly's generally decent diet, it needn't be a disaster.

Tuna ceviche

While tuna is not especially rich in omega-3 fats, its benefits will be preserved because this dish is not cooked. Plus, we get the benefit of some plant matter, in the tomatoes and onion. This is a generally healthy option for Kelly.

Fajitas

Strips of beef and vegetables encased in a wrap is a reasonably balanced dish. The guacamole adds further protein and fat which, I suspect, Kelly will generally thrive on.

Bailey's

The sugar-charged nature of this drink means that it's not to be recommended. However, like the brownie, a little bit of what Kelly fancies is unlikely to do her much harm.

Mashed potato

Mashed potatoes are tasty and comforting. But they tend to cause surges in blood sugar and insulin that lead to weight gain and diabetes. My advice is to keep the portions quite small.

Collard greens

It's nice to see some green leafy vegetables here. Slow sugar-releasing and nutrient-dense, such food will help Kelly ward off all sorts of ills, including cancer and eye disease.

Fried chicken

People with fast metabolisms tend to do best on foods reasonably rich in protein and fat. Fried chicken will fit the bill , though for nutritional balance, peas are a welcome accompaniment.

· Her album 'Ms. Kelly' is out now