Talk about health

It's funny what catches my eye. I came across an aticle in my paper the other day that struck a chord. At a time when we are being exhorted to be more careful about what we consume - food, energy, fuel, etc, etc ... this piece pointed out the quantity of food we in the UK are wasting. And the authors laid the balme squarely at the door of TV chefs.

It's a by-product of the popularity of the vast number of cooking programmes that grace the small screen here. As time passes the chefs involved have done 'simple' and 'plain' recipes to death - at least that is what they think! The result is they are seeking out ever more exotic dishes with ever more exotic ingredients to fill their alloted TV slots and put into their latest compilation books. Ah, the draw of the fast buck!

Us poor consumers watch these TV delights and consider that we, too, could prepare that exotic meal for our family and friend. We rush to the supermarket or deli and demand fresh crab, balsamic vinegar and the like. Then, our confidence wanes as reality dawns. What exactly do we do with this and how many more strange and expensive ingredients do we need to complete this culinary delight?

"Never do today what you can put off 'till tomorrow" some wag once said. We subscribe to this wholeheartedly and leave our purchases at the back of the fridge. Investigating the unusual smell some days later, we come across the said ingredients well past their best, and with a little relief, throw them out.

The lesson learned is that most of us stick to what we know and like. Generally, this is simple, nourishing food like mom used to make. We add some new recipes to our repertoire and adjust older ones to accommodate different and interesting ingredients. But overall, the latest complex and exotic recipes simply don't register. it may be entertainment, but it isn't reality.

This process of making life ever more complex is driven by the media seeking to maintain an edge over the competition and bears little resemblance to life. Food is a basic necessity for all of us and speaking as a health writer you simply can't beat natural ingredients prepared in a simple but interesting way to get the very best nutritionally out of food.

So, when fresh fruit is healthy and nutritious just as it comes from the plant, why is it necessary to chop or puree it, add refined and processed flour or sugar, heat it to destroy vitamins, put it into pies and cakes, and generally muck-it-about and mess it up.

Just wash it and eat it. You'll get the maximum nutrition from it for your general health and it tastes good as well.

I have to admit that I watch cookery programmes too, probably too many. Occasionally I find a recipe that appeals to me. But, instead of rushing off to the deli, I just sit a little longer and forget all about it. For me, the less heating and fewer processed additions to my food the better.

The newspaper estimated that we in the UK throw away £60 million unused food a year. That's an enormous price to pay and an mountain of food that might have been useful to someone else.

As a foot note, isn't it strange that so many of us rush out to try a new recipe, yet so few actually take on board a health-improving tip.

Wait a moment .. the new cookery programme is just starting ...


Check out the site at http://www.healthexplored.co.uk for more health information, or reply to this post with your views and questions.

Wishing you the best of health.