Friday 2 December 2016

Lower fat and carbohydrate christmas pudding

Christmas pudding --lower fat and lower calorie

Karderio Christmas Pudding Clip Art
    I devised this a while ago but am often asked for it so here it is again--enjoy


Christmas pudding --lower fat and lower calorie I developed this recipe a while ago and it is very popular. It can be made at the last minute or rather the day before Christmas and is both easy and economical not to mention tasty.

Having looked at most luxury style Christmas puddings as well as recipes for homemade ones using traditional ingredients like suet in them I found that most provided around 600 kcals and 80g carbohydrate per portion. So I was given the challenge of developing a lower calorie and carbohydrate pudding. 
This is what I made and it makes 8 small portions and each portion provides 204kcal 43g carbohydrate, 1.4 g fat, 0.3g saturated fat and 0.3g salt.

It was quick to make and also cheap. It will not keep so make it only the day before or freeze.
Ingredients

200g dried mixed fruit

100ml water

10 ml red wine

1 tbsp oat bran

I tbsp black treacle

200g self raising flour

1 tsp mixed spices

1 420g can of prunes drained

1 egg

Mix the wine and water together (I just washed out a wine bottle)

Pour the dried fruit into a dish

Pour on the wine and water mixture

Leave overnight in the fridge.

This soaking step is important as it plumps up the fruit.

To this mix add the oat bran and return the dish to the fridge

Take the stones out of the prunes and puree—if you have not got a liquidiser a potato masher works well

Add to the mix, then add the treacle and mix through.

Sift together the flour and spices and add to the mix

Finally beat in the egg

If the mix seems a bit dry add a little skimmed milk

Pour into a one and a half pint basin and smooth down

Alternatively pour into 8 small basins

Put in the microwave and cook for 7 minutes on high

Take out of the microwave and let stand for 5 minutes

Cook again for 7 minutes on high and again let stand

Test the inside is cooked with a knife or skewer –if not cooked –then cook again for 5 minutes and allow to stand then check it

 The smaller puddings will cook more quickly and so will a pudding in a shallower basin

 The pudding will not keep for long so freeze it or cook a day or so before required.

 If you do not want to cook in a microwave it can be baked for an hour in a medium oven in a covered basin stood in a bowl of water.

 Serve with custard or ice cream or as it is very low in fat a little brandy butter or my current delight a really nice plain Greek style yogurt

HAPPY CHRISTMAS

Wednesday 16 November 2016

NUTRITION AND HYDRATION WEEK


Glass with water isolated n white, 32608, download royalty-free vector vector image



An update from Nutrition and Hydration Week


Dear Nutrition and Hydration Week Supporter
“A Global Challenge” is the strapline for the week. No matter which angle you look at it from providing food and drink in sufficient quantities to maintain quality of life is fundamental to all of us involved in health and social care regardless of where in the world we are.
Search out your colleagues in likeminded professional associations, sectors of industry, establishments or services similar to yourself and you will find it’s a small world as everyone is facing the same challenge - how do we ensure everyone receives good nutrition and hydration when they are in our care?
The mission and aims of Nutrition and Hydration Week continue to strike a chord with many involved with good nutritional care around the world.
The mission “To create a global movement that will reinforce and focus, energy, activity and engagement on nutrition and hydration as an important part of quality care, experience and safety improvement in health and social care settings.” The mission is gaining strength though your continued participation in the week activities and beyond.
A reminder of the keys aims of the week:
Highlighting Good Nutrition and Hydration Practices
Protected Mealtimes
Mealtime Matters
Nutrition Advocates/Champions for each health or social care setting
The minimum standards for good nutrition in the respective settings
Continued Education for professionals on good nutrition and hydration
To further embed The 10 Key Characteristics for Good Nutritional Care (in the UK)
Judging by the feedback many of you are working towards these aims and encompassing the mission of the week as we have seen plenty of evidence of energy, focus and engagement. The week is providing a legacy of good nutritional care and we continue to be amazed by your endeavours in promoting good nutritional care wherever you are.

We Need Your Updates
Whilst we’ve been out and about recently meeting some of you and seeing the great work you are delivering, you’ve been telling us about your initial plans for 2017’s week. It’s great to know you are planning and have set up working groups but don’t forget to drop us a line to tell us more about your plans, its promote the week and your work. A few lines will do just some we can use to say “Hey did you know xxxx have plans and this is an outline of what they are ....”
You may have seen ... (our idea?)
The results of an awards dinner conversation.............. It was thrown into the ring what is the largest scone ever made and could we beat it during the week?
The answer .............. is just short of 120Kg and 3 ft 10 inches wide and it was made in New Zealand six years ago. As a result of the comment and the support around the table plus from other caterers on the evening, the challenge is being investigated further. The social media tweets also drew a call from the other side of the world to Andy one of week’s leads saying the record couldn’t be beaten, a bit like red rag to a bull that call!
As they say investigations in to the logistics behind it are taking place before a a further formal announcement as to whether the challenge will be taken up.
We have heard ....
Our Canadian colleagues are planning a webinar about the week in February next year. Thank you for your continued support of the week and we are looking forward to your further plans too.
KEY ACTION POINT
TELL US YOUR PLANS!
Contact for Newsletter items, photos, plans, ideas, any comments send them to:

Thanks as ever for all of your support

The Nutrition and Hydration Week Team
Andy Jones, Derek Johnson and Caroline Lecko

 

Tuesday 15 November 2016

STARTING AGAIN --world diabetes day yesterday

I have not been blogging recently due to a broken ankle and trying to keep up with work which seems to take 10 times as long as I am still very slow with things.


http://www.diabetes.co.uk

Yesterday was world diabetes day  -- so I have taken this from the website  above --lots of really useful information

Welcome to the Global Diabetes Community

The World Health Organization estimate that over 382 million people worldwideincluding 4.05 million people in the UK have diabetes, a metabolic disorder affecting blood sugar levels. Diabetes.co.uk is your resource for information ontype 1 and type 2 diabetesdiabetes symptoms and diabetes treatments.
Diabetes.co.uk is a community of people with diabetes, family members, friends, supporters and carers, offering their own support and first hand knowledge.
If you're new to the site, start with diabetes help & supportGot a question? Ask 220,419 people in the Diabetes Forum

Monday 29 August 2016

cooking burgers







I teach food safety and fell this advise from the FSA is helpful
Rare burger banner v3

Burgers aren’t like steaks

Unlike steaks, rare burgers prepared at home can cause serious food poisoning. Steaks can be served pink as they’re only ever contaminated by bacteria on the outside. In burgers bacteria from the outside of the raw meat are spread all the way through when it’s minced and are not killed if burgers are not cooked all the way through.

So cook your burgers thoroughly this BBQ weekend and help us spread the word to keep your loved ones safe.
Rare burger banner v3

Tuesday 23 August 2016

RUNNY EGGS

I have just put my hens away after their morning forage and came across this which may be of interest. Must admit I hate runny eggs but for those of you who do not.

Eggs On White Background Stock Photo


Review of advice to consumers (including vulnerable groups) on eating raw or lightly cooked shell eggs and their products in the UK

Last updated: 
25 July 2016
An expert group, set up by the Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food (ACMSF), to look at egg safety, found there has been a reduction in the risk from salmonella in UK shell eggs since its last report on this issue 15 years ago.
The Group concluded that the risk level for UK hen shell eggs produced under the Lion code, or produced under demonstrably-equivalent comprehensive schemes, should be considered as very low, whilst for other hen shell eggs, including non-UK eggs consumed in the UK, the risk level should be considered low. The report recommends that Lion code eggs (or eggs produced under equivalent schemes) can be served raw or lightly cooked to those in vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, the young and the elderly (but is not intended to include severely immunocompromised individuals).
Following finalisation of the ACMSF report in June 2016, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) have reviewed their consumer advice taking into account the independent committee's conclusions and recommendations. It is proposed that the FSA and FSS will continue to advise that all raw, soft-boiled hen eggs or foods containing lightly cooked hen eggs are unlikely to lead to illness in people who are in good health (who are not in a vulnerable group). 
In addition, we will no longer advise against the consumption of raw and lightly cooked eggs by vulnerable groups provided that they are produced under the Lion code quality assurance scheme. This advice does not include severely immunocompromised individuals.
The existing advice on non-hen shell eggs (e.g. duck and quail eggs), which should not be consumed raw or lightly cooked, will not change. 
The ACMSF report also considered it necessary to highlight more clearly potential concerns relating to the non-domestic environment. To this end, the FSA and FSS will soon issue advice for catering establishments on egg handling and hygiene practices.
The ACMSF report provides the expert scientific opinion which has informed the proposed changes to our consumer advice.
We would be grateful for your views on the proposal for our revised consumer advice.
In parallel with this consultation, the FSA and FSS are considering the mechanism for UK egg producers which are not currently part of the Lion code Scheme to demonstrate an equivalent level of food safety control. We are therefore also seeking views on this matter from egg producers and assurance bodies as part of this consultation.
Please send your comments to foodhygiene.policy@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk

Wednesday 17 August 2016

OLDER PEOPLES DAY

I belong to the British Dietetic Association Group which looks at supporting nutrition and older people so thought this may be of interest.


The United Nations' (UN) International Day of Older Persons is celebrated annually on October 1 to recognize the contributions of older persons and to examine issues that affect their lives.


Why do we need an International Day of Older Persons?   By 2020, half of our UK population will be aged 50 or over.  People have a better quality of living, which means longer lives!
International Day of Older Persons
Well, as the population changes, the country will too.  We need to improve attitudes towards older people and appreciate the roles they play in society more.  They can be forgotten about and sometimes treated like lesser members of society.  That's definitely not how I want to be treated when I'm older, so let's take care of the elderly in the present and carry it on to the future!
So, would you like to help?  You could plan an event around this year's theme.  Arrange fun days, tea dances, fitness activites, or my personal favourite, events that focus on bringing generations together.
I found one story particularly heart-warming.  Sixth formers from a Community Technology College each brought a modern item of technology and spent time showing the elderly people how to use them. To return the favour, the senior citizens brought along gramophones, old typewriters and other interesting items the kids would never have had the chance to use.
For more information visit the International Day of Older Persons website.  Plan your event and then keep checking back on the official website to find about other events happening near you!

Older People's Day

Saturday, 01 October 2016
People are living longer, let's celebrate the achievements and contributions that older people make to our society and tackle negative attitudes and outdated stereotypes.

witter:  twitter.com/OlderPeoplesDay #OlderPeoplesDay #FullofLife
Get involved with UK Older People’s Day and help celebrate the achievements and contributions that older people make to our society and tackle negative attitudes and outdated stereotypes.
This annual event coincides with the UN International Day of Older Persons.
Events will be taking place across the country
Celebrations and activities will be held on, or around, 1 October also promote healthy life styles, give opportunities to combat loneliness, encourage volunteering and sharing skills with different generations. After all nearly everyone is an Older Person to someone!
Joining in UK Older People’s Day is a great way of building new relationships between people of all ages and will create a real buzz in your local community. Visit the website to register or find an event.
Watch this space or sign up to our social media channels to keep up to date on how Royal Voluntary Service will get involved.

Friday 29 July 2016

PRUNES








Issue 1- July 2016



Through this newsletter we aim to keep you updated on new research relevant to dried fruit, in particular prunes (dried plums), plus nutrition news, recipes and anything else we as fellow dietitians and nutritionists find interesting, so want to share with you!
Not another newsletter? Don’t worry- we’re keeping it to brief headlines only, so if you have any questions or would like more information, or copies of the references, just get in touch.
Who are CPB? The California Prune Board, under the authority of the California Secretary of Food and Agriculture represents the entire 900 prune plums growers and 29 prune packers of California, which is the largest producer of prunes in the world and known to be the best quality due to the regions’ rigorous harvesting techniques and quality control assessments. The premium produce is supplied to 72 countries worldwide and the region contributes 43% of the world’s prune supplies and 99% of the United States’ prune supplies.

Dried fruit & dental health- dilemma, controversy or compromise?

Dried fruit such as prunes make excellent convenience fruit snacks- being portable and long life. BUT ask a dentist and advice can be confusing. As good as the new EATWELL Guide is, we have to ask why dried fruit is still limited to one portion of 5-a-day? Because it’s always been that way? On what scientific grounds? A between meal sweet addict might be more inclined to switch to snacking on prunes than fresh apples or pears, as a first step towards a healthier diet. Would this be a problem? What’s your view - we’d love to hear from you.
The California Prune Board have taken this matter seriously and commissioned Dr Michele Sadler to review the research literature. Michele presented her preliminary findings at a HCP seminar in 2015 and her paper has now been published in International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition.¹ Oral health is a complex issue and this literature review shows a lack of consistent data such that more research is needed to ensure evidence-based practice. Prunes can provide some potential benefits including:
  • Chewing to encourage salivary flow
  • Anti-microbial properties due to polyphenol content
  • Cleansing action from fibre
  • Low fermentability as high in sorbitol and low in sucrose
Beware free sugars added to dried fruits - here’s how they are classified²:

Traditional/conventional: no added sugar, e.g. dates, figs, prunes, raisins, apricots, peaches, apples and pearsSweetened: infused with sugar solutions (such as sucrose syrup) or fruit juice concentrates prior to drying e.g. blueberries, cranberries, cherries, strawberries, and mangoes
Candied fruits: sold as, but technically not dried fruits! e.g. papayas and pineapples

Ground Control To Major Tim, Eat Some California Prunes!

Prunes have been investigated for use in space due to their promising potential as an aid to preserving bone mass. Research on prunes and bone health is an exciting area of current interest and not just for us on Earth! See our press release for more details.
Natural, nutritious and versatile

A brilliantly easy fibre boost to any breakfast - adding 3.5g fibre per portion to our prune porridge recipe below.
CALIFORNIA PRUNE PORRIDGEServes 4 Prep time: 10 minutes
Ingredients200g (20 prunes) California prunes
180g porridge oats
600ml milk
Mixture of toppings: Flax, pumpkin, sunflower seeds, nuts, chai seeds, fresh berries, goji berries, chopped fresh fruit in season
MethodPlace the porridge and milk in a large saucepan and place over a low heat. Add the whole or chopped California prunes and cook for approximately 10 minutes, adding more milk if needed. Alternatively cook in the microwave.
Once cooked, divide the porridge into bowls and top with toppings of choice.
For more California prune recipes visit: www.californiaprunes.co.uk

Friday 22 July 2016

Vitamin D

I wrote about this a while ago in my blog and having seen children with rickets plus adults with deficiencies it is such an easy supplement to take. Now this has really hit the headlines.

Now official advice from Public Health England on vitamin D has been changed to recommend autumn and winter supplementation for all, while at risk groups including the elderly, young children, pregnant and lactating women, individuals with darker skins, anyone who is not regularly exposed to summer sunshine or who habitually wears clothing that covers their skin whilst outdoors, should take vitamin D supplements all year round. The new radical advice will ensure that most Brits stand a chance of meeting their requirements for this important nutrient which may help to reduce negative health impacts throughout life including the osteoporosis time bomb.
  
It makes sense to improve the amount of vitamin D you take by taking 
  •  multivitamins and fish oil supplements that include vitamin D which are easily found and not particularly expensive
  • and foods that contain vitamin D like oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, pilchards, sardines and fresh tuna
  •  eggs 
  • red meat like beef lamb and pork as well as offal like liver
  •  fortified foods like special yogurts and other foods

The sun is a source as we can make vitamin D by the action of sunlight on the skin --it has only just become hot and sunny for the last few days and today is cloudy. Also too much sun has its own problems of not justsun burn but  a risk of skin cancers.



 Image result for picture sunshine free

Monday 11 July 2016

eggs and nutrition

I have always been a fan of eggs as they are a useful source of protein.

They are also really convenient to keep in stock.  Although lots of people seemed to be wary of eggs because of worries about food poisoning plus also cholesterol -- I think that has been put to rest and eggs are firmly back on the menu.

One of my favourites is an omlette made with adding cooked onions plus parmesan cheese into the beaten eggy mixture.



Image result for picture of egg

There has been a lot of research about older people and the need for extra protein to prevent sarcopenia (muscle wastage) and there is some about the benefits of eggs in preventing this condition


http://www.lucidhost.co.uk/htmlemails/eggs_july2016/browser.html

Saturday 2 July 2016

Allergies and intolerances

Food allergies and intolerances are relatively common in the UK with one in 5 adults reporting an intolerance and two in 100 having an allergy.
Such allergies are more common in younger children who often have allergies to milk and eggs plus also nuts and peanuts as well as fish.
Help for such allergies can be provided by registered dietitians.
The Allergy and Free From show is at Olympia London 8-10th July and may be helpful to those wanting to find out more information plus obtain ideas on new products
http://www.allergyshow.co.uk/london/


Tuesday 21 June 2016

STARTING AGAIN

I have had a rest from blogging for a while

But as there is so much happening as regards health and nutrition feel it is time to start again.



Tuesday 9 February 2016

MEALS ON WHEELS

National Association of Care Catering

The NACC has a petition to save meal on wheels

Government petition

Make Meals on Wheels services in the UK a statutory protected service.
The Meals on Wheels service in the UK has been around for more than 70 years and provides older, vulnerable and disabled people living in the community with the provision of a hot subsidised meal delivered to their home daily by local authorities and other providers. The service is keeping individuals well-nourished and socially independent whilst helping to prevent malnutrition related illnesses that can lead to hospital admission, costing the tax payer more money.
With ongoing budget cuts impacting on the Meals on Wheels provision in the UK, many have been closed down, or significantly reduced as a means to save money. Currently this is a discretionary service (not statutory by law). In 2014, the National Association of Care Catering found that over a third of councils had already shut down the service.
The Meals on Wheels service delivers more than just a meal; the service addresses many issues that matter today in an aging society including loneliness, social isolation and safety in the home. For many older and disabled people the daily interaction they get with the Meals on Wheels driver is the only human contact they have all day.
With the spending cuts to be announced in coming weeks it is without a doubt that even more services will disappear in the coming months leaving more people without access to a hot meal.
This petition is to call upon the government to consider making Meals on Wheels a statutory protected service for those considered most at risk in the community to help ensure greater provisions across England, Scotland and Wales. Meals on Wheels is currently a discretionary service and this needs to change.

To sign the Government petition please go to the website

 http://www.thenacc.co.uk/events/Governmentpetition.


Saturday 23 January 2016

CHILDHOOD OBESITY

Yesterday I went to a meeting in London on Childhood Obesity organised by the Dairy Council

London, 22nd January 2016: Swapping sugary drinks for milk or water will help to combat the growing risk of childhood obesity, experts explained today.

Childhood obesity is at the top of the public health agenda, yet children continue to consume excess calories through sugar-sweetened drinks. Experts are calling for a simple substation of sugar-sweetened drinks for
healthier beverages to help reduce body fat and body weight in children.

Research also shows that dairy plays a positive role in weight loss by increasing fat oxidation (burn), fat excretion and suppressing the appetite. Milk and dairy foods are a nutritious and integral part of the diet in the UK, packed full of nutrients such as calcium, iodine, B group vitamins, and proteins.

Following National Obesity Week, diet and lifestyle experts came together in London  at a conference organised by The Dairy Council and supported by AHDB Dairy to address the development and reduction of childhood obesity - from pregnancy to playground.

The conference also looked at the impact maternal diet in pregnancy has on the risk of obesity in children.

The implications of childhood obesity for future health are significant, such as increased risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers and disability.

Dr Anne Mullen, Director of Nutrition at The Dairy Council, said: "Childhood obesity is undoubtedly a pressing concern in public health and policy, but it remains a hot topic in research with many questions still
un-answered. Childhood obesity is a topic that's rarely off the scientific, media and political agenda".

"There is unending controversy over dairy?s relationship with weight loss. There is however growing evidence that suggests dairy can, in fact, suppress the appetite and increase fat excretion, playing a key role in a healthy and balanced diet. Not only that, but milk is the most simple sugar-swap for drinks containing calories and very little other nutrition in children?s diets in the UK".

Throughout the afternoon, a number of leading experts from across Europe who are at the forefront of understanding childhood obesity presented their research on the positive impact of dairy on childhood obesity.


http://www.milk.co.uk/


The Dairy Council