Nutritious food is right choice to stay healthy

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Food is the one aspect of our lives with which we all have a common love affair. Nowadays, unlike Oliver Twist, there is no need to ask for more - we have plenty of food, we live in a society of abundance and that is our problem.

But we do have to make choices. The number one choice is to ensure that food is nutrition for the body and not a comforter or an emotional crutch.

We must also choose not to let the food retail giants tell us what to buy or what to eat. We have to be prepared to make difficult choices if we are to opt for healthy nutrition. I watched a television programme about an overweight family who lived on take-away food, in which the children boasted that no one was going to make them eat fruit and vegetables.

As a busy mother myself I struggle to get my 10-year-old to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.

Up to the age of four he would eat almost any vegetable or salad, but now he will only eat peas, sweetcorn and tomatoes.

Fortunately he is happy to eat plenty of fruit.

By not eating fruit and vegetables you risk lowering your immunity to disease. The art of cooking is being lost in parts of the world as mothers go for take-aways and ready-made meals, which can be from poor quality, cheap ingredients and so high in fat and salt.

Spending time cooking in the kitchen teaches boys and girls the art of preparing real food and it also provides quality time with their mother.

There is something special in preparing real, fresh vegetables, instead of just heating up the frozen variety. It puts you in touch with nature.

Obesity amongst children has reached epidemic proportions and there are many other childhood diseases on the increase.

Autism, hyperactivity and attention deficit disorder (ADD) are just a few.

Amongst adults, obesity related diseases such as heart disease and diabetes are also on the increase.

Fifty years ago there were far fewer incidences of cancer.

We have to wonder if we really need all the additives, preservatives and hormones that can be pumped into the food chain.

The rapid march of industrialism has changed our lives so much that it is really time to pause and consider what is important.

Spending time making home cooked nutritional meals is important. Spending time eating and talking together as a family is important.

Spending time choosing healthy nutritional food in the supermarket is time well spent.

It is not an easy task. Food manufacturers have spent massive amounts of money finding ways to persuade us to buy their cakes, snacks and ready prepared meals, because these are the items where they make their most profit.

Manufacturers spend money on packaging to tempt us and our senses are bombarded with colours and verbal messages.

The supermarket is a multi-sensory experience designed to control our habits and persuade us to buy, buy, and keep on buying.

There is huge pressure and it is a fact that the more members of your family who accompany you to the supermarket, the fuller your trolley will be and the greater your eventual bill.

Everyone Loves Pudding

Now that women’s lives are so much more busy, we don’t often have the time that our mothers did to make delicious puddings.

But most families love puddings so buying puddings and cakes would seem to be an answer. But beware! They are simply loaded with sugar and fat !

As an alternative, go for:

* Plain, low fat yoghurt with brightly coloured fresh fruit salad.

* One small scoop of ice cream with fresh fruit salad.

* Meringue nests with fresh berries and ice-cream.

*Jelly and canned fruit (drain off the syrup first).

* Yoghurt and canned fruit (drain off the syrup first).

* Cr?me caramel made with skimmed milk.

* Bananas and custard made with skimmed milk.

How to be a Smart Shopper

* Make a list.

* Plan your menus for the week - breakfast, lunches, suppers, snacks, vegetables and fruit.

* Go for fresh, lean meat

* Don’t buy food you didn’t plan to buy just because it is on special offer

* Buy low fat dairy products that have three grams of fat or less per 100 grams

v Avoid over-catering. It will go to waste. It is always best to under-cater - you can always go to the shops again and no one will starve!

*Never shop when you are tired, stressed or hungry - you will be tempted to load up on fast food goodies.

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