A healthy diet for 2010
That's why stoutly-proposed
new year resolutions to pursue a
healthier lifestyle are currently
being aired.
Helpful suggestions to support
this new regime include joining a
gym or a fitness centre where
personal trainers can be part of the
package.
Less pricey, though more prone
to backsliding since it is a private
activity and there's no-one around
to accuse you of bunking off, is
investing in home exercise devices.
Cycling and rowing machines
are fairly popular and don't take
up much space in the confined
areas within many modern homes.
Garages and attics may prove to be
a better location for them, though.
But anyone seriously wanting to
lose weight should simply eat less
and exercise more.
Sometimes, though, it isn't so
much about cutting back on the
sheer volume consumed,
but about being more
careful in what constitutes
your diet.
The recommended five
portions of fruit and veg a
day sounds like a tall order if you
automatically think of a big bag
from the greengrocery of oranges
or grapefruit, steamed cabbage,
salad stuff or broccoli.
The reality is quite different, and
much less bulky. Think grapes,
cherry tomatoes, bananas, dates
and apples. And celery's another
good one when you seek variety
and some roughage.
One of the hazards of trying to
control a sensible diet at this time
of year is the fact that comfort
foods, inevitably of a richly
calorific nature, are pretty much
critical to survival.
Or so we've all
been conditioned to think.
Like a glass or two of red wine—
not mere units, friends, but rather
a flask of bottled sunshine —
alongside a traditional pie, can
turn any mundane meal into a
culinary feast.
Pies are yet another comestible
delight for which we can thank the
Romans. They used to be partial to
a combination of rye-crusted goat
cheese and honey baked in a pastry
crust.
But they didn't share that recipe
so ancient Britons had to wait until
the 12th century for the discovery
of baking flesh within a pastry case
known as a coffyn.
When the baker chose fowl as
the filling its legs were left to hang
over the side of the dish and double
as handles.
Small wonder Oliver
Cromwell found the whole thing so
disgusting that in 1644 he imposed
a 16-year ban on pie eating which
he declared a pagan pleasure.
Like cake, you can have your pie
and eat it — but never over season
with too much salt. You'll risk
high blood pressure, plus increase
the risk of a heart attack, heart
failure and stroke.
The recommended daily intake
for an adult is just six grams, about
a teaspoonful. But less is better.