Many supermarkets have now introduced traffic light systems on their labelling.  Reading food lables can be quite confusing.  Generally labels tell you the amount of at/suar/salt per 100g.  This is what to look for:

The salt, fat and sugar contents are usually colour coded separately.  Be aware that just because something is low in fat it isn't necessarily low in salt and sugar too.

Green indicates a healthy choice and should be choosen often.

Amber means this item contains a moderate amount of fat/sugar/salt and should be eaten in smaller quantifies.

My husband had a triple heart by-pass 6 years ago and since then we try to eat a low fat diet. There seems to be a continuous debate as to whether butter is "better" on balance than low fat margarine such as Flora. I use olive oil for cooking.

The overall message for adults after heart by-pass surgery is to ensure that the amount of saturated fat we eat in our diets is kept to a minimum. Saturated fat sources in our diet are from: animal fats like butter/lard/dripping; fatty meats; processed foods like chocolates/biscuits/cakes/pies/pastries; full fat dairy products like full fat milk/cheese/yogurts.
Provided that the above sources of saturated fat are kept to a daily minimum everyday by having lower fat alternatives, then having a small amount of butter in the day e.g. on toast in the morning will not be detrimental but it will become detrimental if a small amount of butter escalates and is then also used throughout the day as a spread plus used in cooking plus as an addition for example in mash/boiled potatoes etc.
Also of note is that although olive oil is of a type of fat (mono-unsaturated fat) that 'protects' the heart, it will provide the same calories as butter so although you are using this, please remember to use a small amount each time in order to prevent extra weight gain'.

 

Is fasting one day a month good for you?

Many people fast for religious, spiritual, detoxification or weight management purposes. The body is actually very effective at eliminating toxins without abstinence from food. To function effectively the body needs regular, well balanced meals. Lack of regular meals could lead to a drop in blood sugars which can result in cravings for foods high in fat and sugar, low mood, poor concentration and increased difficulty in maintaining a healthy weight. Fasting would not be advised if you have diabetes, you are pregnant or lactating as there is the additional need for regularity of meals. It would be best to consult your doctor before making any radical change to your diet or lifestyle.

 

I've always been very slim and have tried for several years to put on weight. I am a 20yr old female just under 7 stone and my height is 5'7'' and am also a vegetarian.  Could you possibly give me some sort of menu outline of what my daily consumption of food should be in order to put on weight? and also do you recommend any sort of protein shakes that could also help me?

The data you have given yields a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 15kg/m2. The ideal BMI range is from 18.5-25kg/m2 and thus we would definitely advise you to try and gain weight. When gaining weight it important to gain lean and fat mass. To gain weight we would advise consuming 600kcal a day extra. To do this we would advise nutritious high calorie foods such as cheese, olive or vegetable oil, full fat yoghurts, avocado, nuts and seeds and eggs. We would advise you eat 5 meals each day for example: breakfast, mid-morning snack, lunch, mid-afternoon snack and dinner with a milky bedtime drink. You can add the suggested foods to existing meals e.g adding nuts and seeds to breakfast cereals and adding oil to meals. You can also add skimmed milk powder to the milk you use to boost it's calorie and protein content - we would suggest adding 5 dessert spoons to 2 pints and shaking vigorously each time you use it. You should aim to gain weight gradually- this may be only 1-2lbs a week, and then sustain it.