30th October 2022

 I was struck by how thin Mr Sunak is compared to the bulk of Therese Coffey, the Environment Secretary. Last week’s Sunday Times hinted at the probable reasons. Prof Tim Spector’s research proves the diet industry is wrong. Along with genetics, it’s the unique mix of bacteria, the microbiome, in your stomach that affects how your metabolism works. It’s been obvious for so long. There are families who eat the same foods, but some members are thin whilst others are fat. His research on identical twins showed that, even with the same genes and eating the same foods, often one twin is fatter than the other. For years we’ve been told to count calories, switch to low fat foods, use sweeteners instead of sugar etc. That’s all wrong. And the advice from Prof Spector? Avoid low-fat foods, which contain harmful chemicals. Eat real foods: whole fat milk, a little whole fat butter (not low fat varieties), pure honey, lots of natural (whole fat) yogurt, berries, colourful veg, mushrooms, broccoli, natural porridge oats. Eat less but high quality meat and fish. Exercise, not by running a marathon but moving around a lot. No food supplements. Cook for yourself. Choose not by price but by quality. It needn’t cost a lot. Baked beans are cheap but full of fibre and nutrients. Use small plates. Methinks - sounds like he’s been talking to the French!