The question on everybody’s lips…
However, it’s important that we remember that there is no single solution to the obesity epidemic, or to good health for that matter. Eating well and being healthy is about much more than just sugar or fat alone. It is about a way of life.
Ultimately what it boils down to is eating food, REAL food and as Michael Pollen states “not too much”.
On top of this, we need to look after our bodies – bones, heart, lungs and other organs – by leading an active, rather than sedentary life (you don’t have to be a marathon runner!!).
Fat & Sugar
We know that fat and sugar – in excess – is bad for our health. We are constantly being reminded of the negative effects which excess amounts of these are having on the nation’s health. What’s more many scientists, researchers and nutritionists are divided about which one is worse.
Ultimately, on their own these foods are not a problem, they are fine to consume in our diets…in small amounts. This is why extreme diets which cut out all sugar or all fat and the ‘sugar/fat detox’ idea, don’t actually help to improve our health. Fat and sugar make our foods enjoyable; they are extremely palatable and help to ensure satisfaction at the end of a meal.
The issue for our health occurs because these nutrients are often consumed together and in large amounts, and, to make matters worse, they are eaten within foods, which themselves contain no ‘goodness’ and so have very little, if any, benefit to our health.
We are well aware that sugar and fat are added to sweets and cakes and biscuits, desserts and ice cream. However sugar and fat are also added to processed foods, ready meals and many other foods that we consume every day.
The best way to avoid this over-consumption?
- Reduce your intake of pre-packaged food and try to eat REAL food as much as possible.
I found this definition on Google:
“(Real Foods) Those that nature gives us e.g. plants, roots, fruits, nuts, seeds, meats, eggs, grains. Fake foods are those that human beings create trying to imitate the natural food.”
- Learn to cook with basic ingredients – there is a wealth of recipes and ‘Five minute meals’ that you can collect for free from supermarkets and the internet and you will be surprised at how cheap it can be to cook with fresh products.
Check out the recipe and meal planner from the Change 4 Life Scheme:
http://www.nhs.uk/change4life/Pages/meal-planner-recipe-finder.aspx
- Allow yourself to have your favourite sweets or dessert, but just make sure that this is in moderation and that the majority of the food you eat is good, healthy, food REAL food
See our New Year top tips, which always include not restricting yourself too much:
- Try to reduce consumption of junk food – you don’t have to give it up – but try to opt for healthier foods in between meals to top up your nutrient intakes.
I will write a blog on ‘healthy snacks’ soon, but in the meantime there are plenty of ideas out there on the internet, including this one which offers recipes to make your own healthy snacks:
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/healthy-snack
We know all this may seem easier said than done, but each small step you make can lead to big changes and there is nothing better in this world than good health 🙂