And, what has changed to make this damning predication a possibility? Along with factors such as a reduction in the energy levels we need to live are some major changes in how we eat – and that seems key to the well being, or lack of it, of many of the younger generation.

The very act of drinking cans or bottles of soda lull people into thinking the messages their body is sending them can not possibly be about thirst, so they get confused, believe they must be hungry, and eat more instead.
However, if it’s an artificial sweetener such as Aspartame which was introduced into the beverage industry in the early ‘80s the outcome for the body is quite different.

You can change how you look on the outside and how you feel on the inside -about yourself and about food – forever just by following your own Tap.Eat.Step Programme

Another winning combination is tomatoes and squash or pumpkin roasted in a slow oven with garlic, seasoning and a drizzle of olive oil.

Most vegetables benefit from slow cooking to enhance, and draw out their natural sweetness.

You can eat as it comes served with brown rice and greens, or whizz into a soup and serve with rice cakes.

On all the Tap.Eat.Step Programmes you are encouraged to drink 1.5L of water a day or around 8 glasses.

When the weather is chilly it’s hard to get excited about drinking cold water so a wonderful alternative is a large mug of hottish water with the juice of a freshly squeezed lemon and lime and with a couple of slices of fresh ginger thrown in.

I say hottish as if the water is too hot it destroys the enzymes in the fruit, cutting down it’s nutritional benefits.

It’s just a bowl of cherry tomatoes.

Let you imagination run wild.

What would you make with such a simple ingredient?

Oven roast with garlic and a drizzle of olive oil until they are charcoal edged they can be whizzed to make the base of a delicious tomato soup.

Just augment with some chopped onions, celery and carrot lightly fried in a little olive oil. Once softened, simply stir in your home made passata.

On the 30 Day Tap.Eat.Step Programme you are positively encouraged to eat good quality oily fish as often as you like but at least a couple of times a week.

Now where is the hardship in that?

Choose from Mackerel, Salmon, Sea Bass and Trout for the healthy Omega oils that help to put a gloss on your hair, your nails hard and your skin plumped and fresh.

Steam, roast or bake and eat with as many green vegetables as you like.

Just because you are following a Tap.Eat.Step Programme for weight-loss or weight-mangement does not mean you are condemned to eating chilly salads in the depth of winter. When it’s cold outside we particularly need something soothing and warm inside.

So get excited about the amazing array of locally sourced winter vegetables available for you at farmer’s markets, local green-grocers or super-markets. For the highest nutritional content choose vegetables that were grown in this country and are in season now.

While you are on a Tap.Eat.Step Programme you will want to be watchful of what you are eating so it’s great if you are a scratch cook and prepare all your food from fresh.
That way you know everything that is going into a dish, but for many of us the demands on our time just put us under too much pressure as it is. Nature is always best but if you are careful what kind of ready made meals you buy you can still eat nourishing and satisfying food that you haven’t had to slave over yourself.

According to Professor Gareth Williams of Bristol University if you were to swap an ice cream for an apple, leave a few chips on your plate or indulge in some sex – all of this would save you about 100kcal a day.
This is the same effect as taking the over-the-counter, anti-obesity drug Alli.
And, you could save yourself from all sorts of embarrassing side effects too!
April 2009
Speaking on the Today Programme, Radio 4
http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_8009000/8009613.stm