'1 of your 5 a day'... Or is it?

Or is it?

After watching Channel 4's Dispatches program 'Myths about your 5 a Day', I've felt the need to blog not only about the Food Industry's power to brainwash the public's idea of what constitutes 'Healthy Eating', but also the publics ignorance of what constitutes healthy eating.

I do not and never have claimed to be some kind of health guru, but I'd like to think I have a fair idea of what constitutes a healthy, balanced diet. But the idea of '5 a day' definitely scares any Student studying at University. Hopefully this blog post will help those who did not manage to watch the program tonight, who may still be in the dark with exactly what constitutes 1 of your 5 a day.

The Government have said that they 'are powerless to prevent firms claiming products are healthy, even when packed with sugar, salt and fat' (taken from this article.) In my opinion, the Government are scared to challenge the powerful Food Industry, and, with too many people concerned about covering their own reputations, no one has intervened with the labels that are being placed on our food, onto our supermarket shelves and, ultimately, into our bodies.

Food companies are claiming there are 1 of our 5 a day in ready meals such as Sausage and Chips and All Day Breakfasts. They are allowed to do this because each meal contains 80g of fruit and/or veg. However, the consumer (us) fail to recognise what isn't being advertised on the front: these ready meals contain our whole recommended daily allowance of salt. All gone on one meal. Shocking? Yes. Clever marketing and advertising? Definitely. Also, products labelled as 'lunchbox' snacks such a yoghurt covered dried fruit (claiming to be 1 of your 5 a day) have been proven to be made up of 50% sugar. Experts have concluded that any fruit that has been altered or had things added to it takes away any nutrition from the original thing. And students are certainly one of the vulnerable groups of people which succumb to the ready-prepared, ready-to-eat ready-meals out of ignorance and, unfortunately, sheer laziness. 

Discussions on twitter have come up with suggestions of teaching children in schools, getting into their heads from a young age so that, come their University days where they will be cooking for themselves, they will know what to do. And, ultimately, if people stop making these 'impulse buys' rushing through supermarkets, grabbing meals that look healthy, companies will stop producing the products. 

Here's my tip: Don't eat anything out of a packet. Eat Fresh. There are too many false presumptions amongst students about Fresh Food being expensive - it really isn't! Take some ownership on what you put into your mouths and enjoy trying out new recipes - it's your health, and you are the only person standing in your way.

Pan Fried Salmon with Spicy Ratatouille

Pan Fried Salmon with Spicy Ratatouille

Another original carb-free* recipe that I conjured up. Very similar to my Spicy Meatball Ratatouille recipe and a great way to make fish a bit more exciting and nutritious! This recipe is especially good for those students who aren't so keen on the (get ready to laugh) 'fishy' taste of fish. If you understand what I mean then this recipe is 100% for you! The Spicy Tomato Ratatouille accompaniment takes away that sharp fishy salmon taste, and the Vegetables bulk out the meal enough to keep you going for longer! 

(*Note: The picture of this recipe above also has Tagliatelle Pasta which will sustain you even longer. Feel free to include if you want to, but normally I find just the Salmon and Vegetables will suffice.)

Things you'll need: 

(Serves 2)

• 2 x Salmon Fillet
• 1 Pepper
• 1 Courgette
• 1 Onion
• 1 Can Chopped Tomatoes
• 1/2 Chilli Pepper (dependant on taste - can use a whole one) (Optional)
• Oregano and Basil (Optional)
• Tagliatelle Pasta (Optional)

Price Overall Approx (Tesco):  £4.30/£4.42 (With tagliatelle)

Per Serving: £2.15/£2.21 (With Tagliatelle)

Cooking Instructions:

• Chop and fry the Onion in a saucepan until soft
• Add in the chopped Courgette, Pepper and Chilli (Optional) and fry for 3 minutes.
• Add the Can of Chopped Tomatoes and Cover. Reduce heat to Simmer for 5 minutes, then season with herbs Oregano and Basil (Optional). Leave to simmer until rest of meal is ready.
• Cook the Tagliatelle as per Cooking instructions (Optional).
• At the same time heat oil in a large frying pan. Add the salmon (skin side down) and pan fry for 3 minutes before turning over for a further 3 minutes. Reduce heat until salmon is cooked all the way through. 
• Drain the Tagliatelle and mix in with Spicy Ratatouille, spoon into a bowl and serve Salmon on top.

Students will often leave fish out of their diet because they think it's 'too expensive' or they just don't know what to do with it. But actually, every supermarket I've come across have included fish in their bundle deals with fresh meat such as '2 for £7' or '3 for £10,' and you will get your weeks worth of meat and fish in these deals.  

A New Dining Experience

El Piedro, South Tenerife

I have just returned from a weeks holiday with housemates in South Tenerife. One of our nights we stumbled upon what looked like a recently opened restaurant and, with us being money-conscious students, we were looking to take advantage of any opening prices they had to entice various tourists such as ourselves. What we actually ended up with totally exceeded our expectations.

We had a hot plate placed in front of us along with a selection of various meats: Duck, Pork, Beef, Tandoori Chicken, Miniature Burgers. We also each ordered a side ranging from Garlic Prawns to Smoked Cheese and Tomatoes on skewers, as well as a complimentary side salad each and sauces and chips for our group of Six. 

The next bit some lazy students might turn their noses up at, as some might argue that the whole point of eating out is so you don't have to cook yourself. But in this case, it was the opposite.

We had to cook the meat and side orders ourselves on the hot plate in any order we wished, sampling at least one of each meat. It was delicious, and a really unique and social dining experience. Something which, if they haven't already introduced in England - they should! The meat was cut really thin so it cooked within seconds and the side salad complemented it really well as a 'light' meal. The fries only allowed us to have a handful each, rather than served on individual plates. A perfect holiday supper for those hoping not to bloat in their bikinis! 

Prices are shown below:

Hot Plate + Meats + Side Salad + Fries to Share: 17 Euro = £13.50. 

We shared one of these between two, and then ordered one additional side dish at 2 Euros each.

Total price of main meal: Approx £8.35 (Excluding Drinks).

One Jug of Sangria (1 Litre) between 4 of us: 10 Euros = £8 (£2 each)