Eat Food. Not too much. Mostly plants.

I have recently been reading a selection of books written by Michael Pollan. His books simplify the global food problems we all seem to be experiencing, in the Western world at ay rate.

The answer, he writes, to this increasing problem is

'Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants'

 

Yes it is supposedly as simply as this and really on reflection, it is. Our Western diet consists of too much processed food and meats, lots of added sugar and salt and refined grains. We just don't eat enough vegetables apparently - and this is true. Michael writes that people from countries that eat a range of traditional diets that haven't been 'Westernised' are much healthier and suffer up to 80% less from illnesses such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

 

This is particularly the case in Japan. My brother visited Japan recently and commented on how slim and fit the Japanese are. On returning to Heathrow and boarding the tube into London he looked around and was shocked how 'fat' we all are.

 

The truth is some people will not eat a single vegetable in a day, a week or a month. Some hardly ever eat vegetables. Frozen processed foods, take away meals and fast food restaurants have become the norm and people are not cooking any more.

 

In order for the next generation to live long and healthy lives we really need to turn this around. Tinned sweetcorn, frozen peas, broccoli or freshly boiled potatoes all have the valuable nutrients needed for a healthy diet so please always try and provide you and your children with some form of vegetable with your meals.

 

For more information on Michael Pollan and his books go to: http://michaelpollan.com/books. They are a fascinating read and easily digestible!