Food 'n' Drink – Food and Drink news |

Studies have shown that most people who live in the United States are happy with their home life, as well as with their friends and family. Unfortunately however, the happiness figures are not so good when it comes to people’s health. Around 20 percent of Americans have said that they are unhappy with the state of their physical health.

A survey, that has been put together by BIGinsight, a consumer information group, has shown that people who visit certain fast food restaurants tend to be even less happy with the state of the health than those who don’t. Recent examination of the study has been made which has looked into which fast food chains cause their customers to be the least happy.

It is not shocking to find out from the study that those who visit fast food restaurants regularly also have other unhealthy habits. The chances are that these extra habits are also leading them to be unhappy with the state of the health. Interestingly, McDonald’s is the fast food chain with the most customers who are unhappy with the state of the health. It also has the customers who do the least amount of regular exercise.

All of the restaurants which were shown to have the most unhappy customers, were also shown to have the fewest customers watching the amount of calories they consumed. This sort of behaviour does not bode well for health, especially when combined with the regular consumption of fast food.

The survey also showed that not all people who dined in fast food restaurants were unhealthy though. Subway customers were shown to have above-average levels of happiness with regard to their physical health. A director of a consumer insights group is Pamela Goodfellow who has stated about the study, “The difference between the happy customers and the unhappy ones is what they do away from the restaurant, not what the actual restaurant itself does. It is all about whether they exercise regularly and count calories.”

Interestingly, an average of 30 percent of people who eat at fast food restaurants don’t take part in healthy habits such as watching fat and calorie intake. This compares to a 20 percent average across the country. It is clear that those who eat in fast food restaurants are significantly less likely to take part in healthy activities.

In recent years, fast food restaurants have come under a great deal of criticism for not providing healthy enough meals. They have launched marketing campaigns about these issues and taken several steps to improve their image in regard to healthy food. In the United States McDonald’s has started offering apple slices on its menu as well as reducing the size of its portion of fries.

The survey also revealed some interesting results about the demographic of various fast food restaurants. For example nearly 60 percent of the people who go to Burger King in the US are male. The chain also sees the customers with the lowest average household income. The company have also made efforts to change their image in regard to healthy food over the last few years but they still retain some of the most unhealthy food in the fast food industry on their menu. For example, one Triple Whopper at Burger King, without drinks and fries contains over 1100 calories.

While many restaurants have actually introduced items to their menu which have lower calories, which are advertised as healthier options. Taco Bell has a rather different approach. They have a range of salads available, but rather than being healthy, the salads contain more calories than the restaurants regular meals.

The word macrobiotic makes most people think of a strange diet that will involve eating unusual foods in unusual ways but many people don’t realise that going back to basics with this type of diet is easier than most people think.

A macrobiotic centre in Scotland is Penninghame House and one of the course teachers is Bill Tara who recently said, “Many people have some serious misconceptions about macrobiotic diets but in reality they are mostly false.”

Most people are unaware of what a macrobiotic diet actually entails and they generally associate them in their minds with mung beans and Gwyneth Paltrow. In reality, a macrobiotic diet is something that has been utilised for thousands of years in the Far East and involves people viewing the body as something that will remain perfectly healthy if it is treated in a good way.

At Penninghame House there are many courses being offered in how to develop a macrobiotic diet yourself. There are cooking classes as well as lectures which allow visitors to master various techniques associated with the lifestyle. As well as an educational opportunities there are many detoxifying treatments available and relaxation sessions for attendees.

Whole grains are a focus of the macrobiotic diet and generally things such as dairy, sugar, meat and processed foods are to be avoided. Coffee and alcohol are also not part of the diet and eating organic food is encouraged. The core of the diet usually revolves around beans and pulses as well as vegetables.

Foods are viewed by the macrobiotic diet as being either acid or alkaline and it is important that there is a balance struck between these two types of food. Fermented foods are very popular with those on this type of diet as they are seen as balanced.

For most people, the idea of eating this food will not be so appealing but the health benefits could be significant. The World Health Organisation has said that many of the types of food encouraged by a macrobiotic diet are valuable for preventing many diseases such as diabetes and cancer. Those who advocate the macrobiotic diet claim that it is possible to alleviate many conditions and diseases by embracing this form of eating.

Retired film producer, Ian Fraser, recently experimented with a macrobiotic diet. He commented, “I have type II diabetes and I wanted to try a new diet to help me tackle this. I was able to reduce the amount of tablets I was taking after just a week on the diet.”

Recent research that has been released by Cancer Research UK showed that lifestyle factors were important for over 40 percent of cancer recurrences in the UK. Alcohol and smoking are the most common culprits of cancer but diet is also a major player. A lot of people who choose to eat a macrobiotic diet also embrace vegan foods but this is not mandatory.

The foods that are eaten on a macrobiotic diet generally fall well into line with government advice about healthy eating, such as avoiding red meat. Red meat is known to increase a person’s chance of getting bowel cancer and practitioners of macrobiotic diet state that there are plenty of other ways to get protein. Beans and nuts are popular options and eating plenty of these will make up for the lack of meat.

The Scottish government and First Milk are working together and have announced a plan for a creamery that is going to be located in Kintyre. Discussions have occurred between the two bodies and the construction of the new facility is going to mean that nearly 40 dairy farms, who are supplying the creamery, are secured.

There is a creamery building already existing in the area and these plans are going to extend it and there will be no halt in production while the extension takes place. This location is the only viable outlet for processing for many of the nearby farms and if it were to stop producing then many people in the local area would go out of business. The current creamery was built in the early 19th century but it started life as a distillery.

The extension of the factory is going to make it more efficient and the amount of production is going to increase significantly. The funding has come from two specific bodies, First Milk and the Scottish government. In order for the Scottish government money to be supplied then grant conditions will have to be met.

First Milk has been developing plans for the last two years to make a sale to Tesco, but the supermarket have now said that they don’t wish to purchase the site which means the creamery will remain at its current location.

A Councillor for Kintyre is John Semple who has long had concerns about the future of many farms in Kintyre if the creamery were to close down. He has stated several times how important it is for the local industry and many people were concerned that if it was sold to Tesco then many farms would suffer.

The Chief Executive of First Milk is Kate Allum who it said, “We’ve always been committed to farmers in Kintyre. With this in mind we are investing in a cheesemaking facility at the current site and we are very pleased to be able to do this with funds that are being provided by the Scottish government.

Campbeltown farmers have been informed about the developments that are taking place and they have agreed to work alongside us as well as the Scottish government to create a sustainable dairy business in the area.”

Cabinet Secretary Richard Lockhead has stated, “Some of the most efficient dairy production in the world takes place in Scotland and despite these challenging economic times we are happy to provide support this dairy project in Scotland. We are pleased to be able to give dairy farmers in this region the facilities that they need.”

Many people in the local region were concerned that the area would be significantly affected if farms were to go out of business. Several described the idea of empty fields and farms being a blight on the countryside and a reminder that part of the country was economically failing. Local people said farmers should be paying to produce and not being subsidised for non-production.

The independent UK-based research group, Leatherhead Food Research, produces reports on trends and innovations in the preferences and consumption of food amongst the general population.

The most recent report on upcoming trends for 2012 indicates that a higher percentage of products and ingredients in demand by people of retirement age will be on offer, as well as a demand from younger consumers for foods free from specific ingredients such as gluten, nuts and milk/dairy products.

The researchers designated ten food and drink trends they say are influenced by concerns about fitness and health, and also by the general atmosphere of ‘belt-tightening’ driven by the present economic situation.  The trends are mostly ongoing from the past few years; and it’s predicted that they will continue to gain popularity in the coming year.

In the category of health and wellness, we will see a continuing effort to reduce sugar, salt and fat content as well as active promotion of specific products as beneficial to good health.  That sort of promotion involves slogans like ‘one of the five foods you should eat every day’ and other incentives for the health-conscious among us.

There is a continuing and growing concern about sustainability that involves a lot of issues like ethical sourcing, recyclable packaging, and the emphasis on locally grown products as opposed to those imported or brought to localities from distant areas of the UK.

The issue of convenience is another rather tricky subject, with the benefits of ‘home cooked’ meals often taking a back seat to the freedom of quick, ready-to-eat-in-minutes packaged meals that are becoming more and more prevalent.  Food manufacturers are expected to continue making more of the quick and easy yet premium quality meals that busy consumers depend upon to save them a lot of shopping and cooking time, not to mention the cost of eating out.

The food industry is constantly working to add more flavour to convenience foods without adding more harmful substances in the form of chemical additives and/or fat, cholesterol, sodium and a whole list of other ingredients that health experts have warned against. On the other hand, there is growing demand for more variety in the form of spices such as ginger, lemongrass, lavender and other ‘unusual’ ways of satisfying the taste buds.

The market for ‘free from’ products is also getting larger, not so much because of the number of people who have food allergies but  because of all the information available on the subject of which foods may contribute to one health problem or another.  Products with labels such as ‘gluten-free’ or soy,  dairy, or nut-free, for example, are expected to be in such big demand that they will break out of the ‘niche’ market and into the mainstream.

Older consumers show a growing tendency to look for products that advertise ingredients ‘proven’ to improve heart function; the researchers say products that promise to unclog arteries are going to be big sellers with older people in search of  cardiovascular health.   Also in demand are products with extras  such as glucosamine for joint health and added omega-3 for brain health.

The massive emphasis in recent years on ‘natural’ foods has faded somewhat, mostly due to the relative costs involved.  However, the idea of  ‘pure, natural’ foods is still a strong attraction for both the older and the younger generations, and companies advertising natural foods are going to be balancing cost and profit with the sustainability of their market suppliers.

Consumers are now more aware of where their food comes from, and there will continue to be a strong demand for locally sourced foods like meat/poultry, cheese, eggs, vegetables and fruits.  Many chefs are incorporating locally produced ‘specialty’ items into their recipes to add distinction and variety to the menu, and a dish presented as being made of foods grown right in the locality is usually a favourite choice for customers.

The number of food companies producing items for those with diabetes and other specialist dietary requirements is increasing, but experts in the disease are urging more research into the impact of certain ingredients on the condition, as well as other health problems.

Halo Foods, working with academics at the University of Hull and the Hull York Medical School, has created a new food product which aims to test what effect a new and as yet unnamed ingredient has on consumers with diabetes, as well as other conditions that can be affected by diet such as heart disease and weight problems.

If the results of a current trial are positive, then Halo Foods could end up benefiting from its involvement with the academic study, something which Hilary Hamer, one of the project’s leaders, was quick to point out.

Hamer was surprised that few food manufacturers are showing an interest in developing new ingredients that could help existing medical conditions, when so many people in the country suffer with problems such as obesity and diabetes. The product itself has been designed specially to be easy to eat on the move and consumers would need to have two of the fruit bars a day if they want to get the full health benefits of the mystery ingredient.

The decision taken by Halo Foods to join forces with the University of Hull could end up being very lucrative for the food company if the trials are successful and the newly-developed product actually goes on sale.

The research is part of a larger scheme called the Humber Obesity, Nutrition, Education and Innovation (HONEI) Project which is looking into diet and health across the region. This particular study is rather novel in that the item being used is a marketable food item containing the ingredient under investigation, rather than the usual format in academic studies which involves test groups being administered a new product in tablet form.

How often do you reach for the biscuits to satisfy a hunger pang at work? With tight deadlines and high pressure in many of our jobs, choosing healthy snacks over readily available junk food can be a struggle.  Studies have shown that a healthy employee is up to 20% more productive than an unhealthy employee[1]; so as well as the obvious benefits of a healthy lifestyle, small changes to your working day are likely to help you achieve more at work. Planning ahead and putting healthy routines in place can make healthy eating in the workplace less of a challenge; follow these top five tips to make your working day a healthy one.

1)      Use your colleagues as a support system

Decide what your healthy eating goals are and stick to them. Letting colleagues know that you are adopting a new healthy eating regime means they are less likely to tempt you with unhealthy treats and are more likely to steer you in the direction of a healthier option. You never know, your colleagues may want to introduce a healthier routine into their working day as well; so setting an office health goal is a great idea. Why not share the responsibility of introducing a new healthy routine for the whole workplace?

2)      Plan ahead

Bring a packed lunch; preparing your lunch in advance means you can ensure the healthy content of your lunchbox instead of being tempted by an unhealthy option on your break. Keep lunchtimes interesting by avoiding routine and choosing a different meal for each day; this way you can evade lunchbox boredom as well as achieving a nutritional balance throughout the week.  

3)      Eat three of your five a day at work

We are encouraged to eat at least five portions of fruit and veg a day. Fitting three of these portions into your working day means you can. tick three helpings off your list, leaving just one or two servings to fit in when you get home. Ask your office to provide a healthy alternative to biscuits and junk food, if healthy snacks such as fruit are readily available throughout the day, eating healthily becomes easier at work. Services such as office fruit delivery can help to make healthy snacking part of your office routine.

4)      Swap sweet treats for a piece of fruit

Use fruit to satisfy sugar cravings; if you find yourself craving a sugary snack mid-morning or after lunch try swapping this for a piece of fruit. Have fruit to hand while you are working to keep the temptation of the office vending machine at bay. You can make healthy snack times more exciting by preparing fruit salads or smoothies in advance, or by having a different type of fruit each day.

5)      Always schedule lunch

Always eat lunch. When your working day is impossibly busy it’s tempting to snack and graze instead of eating a proper meal. Taking the time to eat a good lunch means you are less likely to give in to a mid-afternoon biscuit-binge.

For more information on fruit delivery, contact Fruitdrop. Fruit boxes start at just £20 with enough fruit for 25 people for a week. Fruit selections can be usefully tailored to suit the likes and dislikes of your office; no contract is required and fruit boxes can be delivered as frequently as needed.

Experience the ultimate in gourmet indulgence by dipping your spoon into the first Cherry and Pomegranate flavoured gourmet yoghurt in the UK. Pomegranate has long been lauded for its antioxidant properties and has topped the list of super fruits for years, but that isn’t the only reason that is has been teamed up with Cherry to create this gastronomic delight, the flavours go together brilliantly, it is simply a match made in heaven.

The actual Pomegranate kernels have been included in the compote, giving it a gorgeous nutty texture. This  can be eaten as a healthy and quick breakfast, or as a guilt free midnight snack or dessert, in fact, this dreamy yoghurt can be eaten at any time and anywhere. The Collective  have a great range of scrummy flavours for you to try, and have also introduced great new snack sized pots, which are perfect for that special treat you have no intention of sharing.

Based on a New Zealand recipe, The Collective’s handcrafted range uses West Country milk, resulting in a thick and creamy yoghurt with a smooth, clean taste. Two layers of natural fruit compote ensure a mouthwatering balance of sweet and tart flavours. They also contain a probiotic (which helps to maintain your inner digestive health by boosting the good bacteria), there are no artificial additives or preservatives, and the range is 95% fat free!

The Collective gourmet yoghurt range includes:

Apple + Spice: Apple and cinnamon, a flavour combo guaranteed to transport you to a ‘best pud’ moment. Comfort food at its best…no bull!

Passionfruit: Ah the passion, this is a yoghurt that delivers a kiss straight from the tropics. Seduce your taste buds but not your waistline…no bull!

Luscious Lemon: We know there’s a few old lemon yoghurts out there but wait till you try this beauty. Dull as bean curd? Nah, it tastes of sunshine…no bull!

Russian Fudge: We’ve got something so good you’ll be ‘russian’ to try it. An age-old kiwi classic that will take you right back to the schoolyard, wicked… no bull!

The Cherry and Pomegranate gourmet yoghurt will be available from 17 October in Sainsburys nationwide. The Collective range of Luscious Lemon, Passionfruit, Apple & Spice and Russian Fudge is available in 500g sharing pots with an RRP of £2.39 and available at Sainsburys, Waitrose, Ocado and Wholefoods. A snack-size 170g pot, with an RRP of £1, is available in Waitrose and Ocado from September 2011.

For more information visit www.thecollectivedairy.com/uk