Eat up!

It's amazing when you eat a lot less, how initially you think of food a lot more!..... And you notice when other people don't finish their food!!  I was in a natural food store/cafe last weekend having a coffee and was on one of my low calorie days.   A couple on a nearby table had just had lunch and were leaving when I noticed that they had both left at least half of the food on their plates..... A large piece of quiche and some lovely long green beans...... More food than I would have for dinner on my 500 calorie day.   I was so angry and knew that what they'd left would jut be scooped into the bin.   I also knew this was the tip of the iceberg and had witnessed it many times before, particularly there, a very wealthy part of London. 

It reminded me of an occasion last year at the Golden Globes when the rather marvellous academy award winning Jeff Bridges was so appalled at the food wasted there following the dinner, he went around all the tables and into the kitchen and gathered up all the left over food, put it into bags and got into his limo.  He asked the driver to take a detour to an underpass where a large homeless community lived and handed the food out to the hungry but appreciative crowd.  They weren't as surprised as you might think as he's been seen taking clothing, bedding and other supplies there before. Jeff is also a key figure in the Action against Hunger campaign in the US.

Food waste is one of the Worlds greatest sins and yet it is so unnecessary.  Did you know that 4600 kilo calories per day of food are harvested for every person on the planet; of these, only around 2000 on average are eaten - more than half of it is lost on the way.  Now that is an amazing and disturbing statistic.one of the many shocking facts listed by Tristram Stuart, award winning author and campaigner...

http://www.tristramstuart.co.uk/FoodWasteFacts.html

Nutrition tip of the day

Seeds are a great way to top up on some of the vital vitamins and minerals the body needs by sprinkling them on your breakfast cereal or porridge, or just eating them as a snack.

They're a great source of vitamin E, mono-unsaturated fats and fibre.  They also contain zinc, protein and other fabulous nutrients.   My top picks are:

1. Sesame seeds...
High in calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, fibre, phosphorous and B1.   They lower blood pressure and protect the liver from damage.  They also help prevent asthma, arthritis, migraines, menopause, PMT and Osteoporosis.

2. Pumpkin seeds...
High in antioxidants with enhanced immune activity, helping to fight diseases.  In particular helps to prevent development of prostate cancer.  High in Omega-3 fatty acids and zinc, warding off inflammation, arthritis and Osteoporosis.

3. Sunflower seeds...
They promote healthy digestion and increase fibre intake.  Rich in folate, vitamin E, selenium and copper, which prevent heart disease and cancer.

4. Hemp seeds...

Contain both Omega-6 and Omega-3 oils, composed of over 30% protein and 40% fibre, can help in the prevention of heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer's, and various inflammatory conditions such as asthma and Parkinson's  disease.

You can buy some great combinations from most supermarkets and health food stores -  I buy this one from Holland and Barratt, called Omega Sprinkle, which is delicious and fabulous sprinkled on top of my daily porridge!!

And only 82 calories for a 15g serving - I think I probably have about half that on my breakfast.