You only have to look at my profile pic to see i'm a big food fan. Here's my issue though: The world is full of people telling, then controlling what, when and why we can eat. Rules govern advertising of food in every media format. Healthy living is vital for us all.... but what has happened to personal choice? I feel that we are being steered towards a bland existence where you have two choices.... eat our salt free, fat-free, non advertised, politically approved, medically inert and occasionally tasteless diet OR eat what's left that the beurocrats haven't got to yet - and be frowned upon. OK, rant over..... going for a cheeseburger, unhealthy and tasty.
As a chef I am afraid that, although I agree with your sentiments about the 'nanny state' and being able to make personal choices in general, I have to disagree with your opinion that healthy foods have to be bland tasteless and uninteresting, and if something is attractive and tasty then it must be unhealthy! My wife and I live rather well, on tasty food that is healthy (as part of a reasonably balanced diet), but some would consider unhealthy (red meats, we eat fat on meats and skin on chicken, etc.) and we will also occasionally eat so-called unhealthy food - it is just that I have the ability to make this type of food healthier (than the take-away or pre-prepared pap), by careful selection of ingredients and use of alternative ingredients.
I do not necessarily agree with you chunky. I think healthy does not necessarily mean bland. And there is nothing wrong with eating a cheeseburger, the ones I make at home are just the best and they are not unhealthy. The ones that are unhealthy are the ones that you buy from the chippy or the big names. We have our own way of life at home and do not listen to anyone about what we should or should not eat. We do eat healthy homely food and are doing very well. We just do not eat everything fried. As long as one can cook, they can take control of what they eat and therefore not let anyone control their life. Just eat lots of fruit and veg (they are lovely and tasty) and varied foods.
I don't think that Healthy Foods have to be bland and uninteresting at all. I cook almost every night from scratch and I'd like to think that most of what we eat (Okay I'll admit to a few disaters) is tasty nosh. A good recipe book and a storecupboard of basic ingredients will allow you to create some delicious meals that don't cost the earth, taste good, are easy and quick to prepare and most of all - are healthy!
Although I agree that we are nannied to reduce this, that and the other, if we all took a sensible approach to eating and ate what we needed rather than what we wanted, then we wouldn't be needing guidance from the state on what we should do to avoid dying from obesity.
I'm a little confused here. Who are these people that are filling the earth and controlling what, when and why you can eat? Advertising is a different matter - cigarette advertising is no longer allowed and cutting out the advertising of unhealthy food choices is probably a good idea. Educating children in healthy food choices also has to be a good idea - after all, even though you as an adult have complete freedom in what, when and why you eat, you probably would want to see children growing up fit and healthy without some of the behavioural problems that come from some food additives.
I think you can take it how you want and personally I have just taken it as suggestions rather than big brother telling me what to do. I take everything into consideration and then eat a tasty enjoyable diet that I enjoy, I don't deny myself anything but I consider my calorie intake so that I don't blimp myself out on the wrong foods. I love food and could never meet a eat this, don't eat that regime but at the same time I eat reasonably healthy by cooking most of my food myself and just be conscious and aware. And I must say being a foodie I agree with magnius nothing I eat is bland otherwise i wouldn't eat.
Healthy eating does not automatically equate to “bland” food, that is the ill educated assumption of someone who obviously has put no research into his opinion. There is a wealth of delicious and healthy food out there; it’s just up to you to try a few things. Most fruits and vegetables are tasty, and can be made even tastier by following a few simple recipes. Even Cheeseburgers can be part of a healthy diet, just so long as they are eaten in moderation, or make your own with healthy ingredients such as lean beef mince and lower fat cheese. No-one is trying to take away your personal choice, they are just trying to keep you alive, but if you don’t want to take that advice then you can eat yourself into an early grave for all I care, just don’t bother the NHS and waste my taxes with your fat induced conditions.
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