The FastDay Forum

Just to balance out my 'Joys of Grazing' post, here's something I'm listening to on Radio 4 at the moment (on listen again) which is Michael Pollan talking about his food stance - the famous 'Eat Food, Not Too Much, Mostly Plants' mantra guy.

Very interesting, and pretty much sums up how I think about food. He doesn't reduce it to the 'food is fuel' thing and talks about the wider political issues.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04jjz49

Thankyou for posting this. I found the programme fascinating and agreed with just about all of it.

Recently I was in hospital for major surgery and was horrified by the poor quality food which was served to patients. Breakfast was processed cereals or white or brown( not even wholemeal) toast and jam. Portions of vegetables were tiny and any yoghurt which was served was low fat and laced with glucose/fructose syrup and various thickeners. There seemed to be no focus on providing healthy meals which might contribute to recovery.

I don't think that we can go far wrong if we follow his directive.
Regards,
Bracken

I haven't listened to the programme but found your comments about hospital food interesting @Bracken - some years ago my Uncle was involved in a car crash which resulted in his jaw being wired shut for some time while it healed. When he came out of hospital, we had to liquidise his food for several weeks. Most days, his main meal was meat and vegetables, with gravy to liquidise. The vegetables were mainly home grown and there was a lot of kale that year! When he went back to hospital the doctors were amazed at how well he healed and said that his diet had probably had something to do with it. It's not rocket science is it though?

Never had to stay in hospital thankfully so I don't know first hand of the horrors of hospital food, but what you describe doesn't seem like the sort of diet that would do anyone any good. The way we feed people in most of our institutions is atrocious and really needs addressing but like Michael says, cost is such a huge factor and carbs are cheap, easy to store & transport and people like a bit of stodge. Fresh fruit, veg & decent quality protein is expensive and hard to cook well in quantity, and to get out to everyone around the building - doesn't mean it can't be done! Should be a high priority, making sure people get proper healthy meals.
Hope you are recovered now

Thanks very much GM - I'll catch up with the broadcast this weekend.

[carorees]

Just listened to the podcast. Very good indeed and thought provoking. Thank you for posting the link!