Yet another slant on the various diets of the U.K. is to look at the war time and post war period, which was a time of food shortages and rationing.
Looking back at the diet in the forties and early fifties, it appears that it was rather boring, with little choice. Young people of today wonder how people could have survived on it.
Reality, in that time frame, had a lot going on and it didn`t include having a large choice of food, or anything else for that matter.
The UK was at war with Germany from 1939 to 1945.
There were many things happening.
Most of the male population had joined the war movement and were fighting on foreign soil.
This left behind a huge gap in the employment sector, but was more than ably filled by women.
Women had a huge responsibility, as not only were their husbands, brothers and fathers away at war, leaving them in sole charge of looking after the family and the home, but they became the breadwinners too.
Do not forget that many families were receiving the dreaded bad news that a male member of their family would not be coming home, as killed at war.
It must have been a huge mental strain on the women, as a constant worry thinking of their loved ones so far away and the hardships they were enduring.
There was also no benefit system to assist families which fell on hard times.
However, there was a great sense of community support, and neighbour helped neighbour.
Everyone was busy keeping the country moving.
This meant women taking on board traditionally male dominated roles, such as in `munitions factories and agriculture and lumber management.
There was little money to take care of families and put food on the table.
The government issued instructions to the country regarding food entitlement.
Due to the constraints put on the farming industry, and the shortage of goods, produce had to be rationed.
This was monitored by having a Rations Book which specified amounts of food per family. It included flour to make bread and related products, meat, potatoes and dairy products.
Households were encouraged to grow their own vegetables in order to boost the amount of food, and introduce a bit of variety into the diet, along with the importance of adequate nutrition.
Housewives became skilled at inventing dishes to feed hungry families.
Carrots became a popular vegetable as it was a good substitute for sugar as when cooked has a sweet taste.
Carrots were therefore often used in baking, for example in a "fruit" loaf.
Potatoes also formed the basis of many dishes.
Flavourings, such as curry powder, could be added to mashed potatoes with some other vegetable chopped up.
Soup was easy to make and could be made from left overs and garden vegetables with some barley or potatoes added.
Potatoes were a good source of fibre and when cooked with skins on, were a source of vitamins and trace elements.
Fruit was hard to come by, but in the autumn months, apples and soft fruits could be harvested and crumbles and pies made.
Sugar and butter were rationed to 8 ounces per week, so not many sweet treats.
There could not be a more sharp contrast in present times, as individuals consume vast amounts of sugar and fat including trans fat.
People do not exercise as much as they should, so the result is an increase in obesity, especially in young people.
There are also endless labour saving devices to help with household chores, so cutting down on the amount of physical activity which would use up calories.
The result has been a breakdown in the nation`s health, with sugar and fat being the culprits for increased heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
During the war and post war years, children and pregnant mothers were given pure orange juice and cod liver oil as supplements which provided extra Vitamin C and vitamin D.
Some extra food rations were given to those doing heavy manual work and in the agricultural industry.
Despite the diet being rather bland and uninteresting, it appeared that the health of the nation improved.
Added to this, everyone was exercising by doing physical work. Children walked to school and played out of doors.
Housework was very physical as there were no labour saving appliances, and cars were few and far between.
Despite this being a dark time in British history, it seemed that at least the country was healthy.
Food was not processed, (apart from Spam, a favourite tinned meat), protein came in the form of meat and dairy products and some fish. These items were limited to a certain amount each week, so there was no over eating.
Vegetables provided vitamins, and if grown at home, could be used in more generous amounts.
It showed that all the necessary nutrients for body building, repair and body functionality were available within this eating pattern, which was also very cost effective.
Surely we can take this model and use it today, but as we have such a wide food choice and flavourings are available in the form of herbs and spices, we can make what was considered "boring" much more appetizing, without processing and the addition of sugar and fat.
An example from a typical Ration Book, can be altered to provide smaller helpings, limited protein, plenty of vegetables, low or no sugar, and very little fat.
Dairy can be substituted by non dairy products such as pro biotics and yogurt.
It is worth doing an experiment using the products available during and after WW2, and adapting them to present day.
The most obvious reduction will be that of sugar and fat, especially trans fat which is found in shop bought bakery, fast food items and ready meals.
If nothing else, perhaps we can learn something from these war torn years, which may help us as a nation today.
We have progressed in so many ways since the war, but sadly, despite many amazing things happening in the health industry, our day to day maintenance of our body has created new problems which are proving very difficult to address.
Perhaps the war time diet can help?
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