Talk about health

I just received a copy of a booklet produced by Which Magazine called "What's really in your food". It explains something about salt and sugar in processed foods and how manufacturers get round labelling regulations to tell you as little as possible about what you are eating. It goes on to tell you what current regulations are and how they should be adjusted to help you choose the best foods.

Some producers do tell you the truth, but many try to avoid it or conceal it in some way.

I found it an interesting read but for me it was only a small part of the problem. I think we all need to eat more fresh fruit and vegetables, and we need to revise our thinking about what we eat.

It's become a joke these days about how many TV programs are about gardening, cooking and home improvements. They all seem to attract sizeable audiences, and their spin-off books sell well. But, the number of people actually doing their own cooking, gardening or home improvements seems to be falling. What's going on?

Surely, it should be the other way around? But, apparently we sit and watch these programs ... and that's all.

For me, the idea is to get some inspiration from them and go and put it into practise. Get your fresh ingredients, prepare and cook them for yourself, friends and family, and enjoy a great meal.

Then, incorporate these ideas into your everyday meal planning and preparation. The end result is that you enjoy cooking once more, in the knowledge that what you are eating is full of nutrients and helping you keep healthy.

Processed foods, ready meals and the like have too much sugar, salt and fats in them, along with preservatives and E numbers. At least, if you make it yourself, you will know just what you add in the way of salt and sugar and it's unlikely you'll add any of the other things.

I'm not convinced it takes much longer to make a meal from fresh ingredients than it does to heat-up a frozen ready meal. What I am clear about is the significant health benefits of the home prepared foods compared to the doubtful results of fast food consumption.

You can't beat the taste and flavour of fresh fruits just as they are and you don't need to do anything to them - just tuck in!

Discover just how many nutrients your fresh food contains by getting hold of a copy of my FOODS GUIDE at http://www.healthexplored.com . It's one of a collection of guides that explain alternative therapies and nutrition.