Health. Use of English B1+

Think you're eating … ? Think again!

Once upon a time, eating was simple. You Once upon a time, eating was simple. You plucked food from trees or hunted it in the … .

You ate when you were hungry and stopped when you were full. Now, due to improved efficiency in food production, food comes in boxes and cans, with complicated labels and … names.

Not surprisingly, the kinds of people who consider themselves healthy eaters … as well.

There are vegetarians 10 who abstain from animal protein but eat few vegetables, and snackers who … non-stop to keep their energy up.

The problem is that many people become so … with extremes that they no longer appreciate, or enjoy, food for the good things it provides (including flavour).

This can lead to poor … . With the help of food and nutrition expert Dr Elaine Turner, we look at three people's diets and offer some easy, practical suggestions to help them get the most out of their meals.

First up is Diana Collins, 19, a university student who wants to lose weight. 'It might not be very scientific, she says, 'but I have this idea that if I don't want to be fat, I shouldn't eat fat.' She's on a low-fat diet and most of what she eats … of non-fat food like pasta, cereal bars and fat-free crisps.

Because she never feels full, she's constantly eating - and consuming far more calories than she … . 'This diet is quite old-fashioned, says Dr Turner. ‘Some fats are beneficial, like nuts and 35 olive oil, and staples like pasta contain lots of calories.

Diana should add more fat and protein early in the day. A good breakfast of … eggs and mushrooms will mean that she eats less during the rest of the day.

She should also use olive oil as a salad … !

Our second subject is Gos Hussain. Gos is sixteen and has chosen to be a vegetarian because of his concern for animal rights.

However, some people aren't so … vegetarians as they are food avoiders. Gos survives on cheese pizza, pasta, and sweets. We've got nothing against a meatless diet, as long as it's approached properly, but some vegetarians simply don't eat enough vegetables, not to mention fruit and protein, Dr Turner says.

She advises Gos to fill his plate with food in a variety of colours, a quick and simple way to ensure that you get your daily … of important vitamins and other healthy substances.

'Gos is still growing so what he eats … even more ) important. He should go for toppings like spinach and peppers rather than cheese alone, and cut down on the amount of cheese generally!

Finally, there's the … , Lisa Chandler. Lisa is eighteen and works as a secretary. She likes to think that she has a fairly healthy diet and always has quite small meals.

I’m lucky in that I never … to put any weight on no matter what I eat, but I want to look after my body because I know that it's the only one I've got.

Dr Turner agrees that long-term health is important, but what some people don't realise … that they pick all day at nominally healthy food like raisins or reduced-fat biscuits and end up eating twice as much as they should.

Lisa might be slim now, but all those mini-meals will eventually add pounds without … energy levels.

'The philosophy behind snacking is that you eat several small meals instead of three big ones, Turner says, ‘but it doesn't mean that you can just eat … the day.

Lisa needs to avoid … snacks by her computer where she'll be tempted to use them to relieve boredom or stress.

Stash your goods in the cupboard or refrigerator where they belong and remember that yoghurt with berries or apple … with peanut butter make good snacks.

There's really nothing better than a sensible, well-balanced diet that … your body exactly what it needs.'