A weighty matter.

 

On the news last week, a report on child obesity claimed,  “A disproportionate number of children referred to NHS excess weight clinics in England are from the most deprived areas, and a significant number are neurodivergent or have other health conditions, a study has found.

Some have a body mass index (BMI) , over 50, with 40 deemed to be severely obese.”

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg7w58yddgo

In the same report, "I became aware of the fact that this an invisible problem because they so rarely get out of the house.  That means they are not attending school, they are not interacting with their peer group," Prof Kenny said.

 

Now I am fully aware that families can have money problems, and that poor and very expensive rented housing is an issue in this country.  I am also aware that some people are not as well educated as others, (here comes the ‘but’ moment), but really, how much intelligence or money does it take to go for a walk?  Prof Kenny also came out with all the usual statements, such as not blaming the parents who often work long hours for very little money.  Still, I cannot see how this negates all parental responsibility.  If you bring a child into the world, how then can you ignore that child’s health and life chances?  Going to school is a basic.

Decent food is also a basic, and again all the usual excuses were rolled out about cheap fast food, and fresh food being too expensive.  Sorry, but this bit I simply do not believe.  McDonald’s is often put forward as one of the fast food world’s cheapest outlets, so let’s use them as an example in the coming example.  The cheapest McDonald’s hamburger is listed at just £1.69, and chips (fries) with that will cost you another £1.19.  Kids happy meals are £3.99.  The happy meal basically adds a drink to the items above.  OK these are cheap, but surely there cannot be a parent on the entire planet that doesn’t know how unhealthy this stuff is?

So, let’s price up one alternative.  This is a one pot wonder, aromatic, tasty, low in fat and high in protein.  The reverse of pretty much anything deep fried from McDonald’s.  It is like a middle eastern tagine and would be served with rice or something similar.  The recipe with prices in brackets from Tesco’s is below

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•              1 large onion, chopped.  (£0.99 buys a 1kg bag, so plenty left over)

•              2 garlic cloves, minced.  (£0.40 buys 1 clove, again loads left over)

•              1 tin tomatoes.  (£0.49 buys Tesco Italian Finely Chopped Tomatoes 400G.  Amazingly, you can get cheaper tins, but for some kind of quality, I’ll use this price)

•              2 teaspoons ground coriander.  (£1.00 for 36g.  Loads left)

•              2 teaspoons caraway seeds.  (1.00 fpr 40g.  Loads left)

•              1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or more to your taste.)  (£1.00 for 48g.  Loads left)

•              500ml vegetable stock. (£1.00 for 10 cubes.  Loads left)

•              100g (4oz) dried red lentils.  (£1.90 for 500g, or £1.40 currently with  club card.  Loads left)

•              2 cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained.  (£0.49 per can, so £0.98)

•              2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced 1/4-inch thick.  (£0.69 for 1kg.  500g costs a little less, but if you are going to cook, keep some carrots, and they are great for snacking)

•              1 tin beans (choose your favorite type).  (£0.49 for Cannellini Beans.. Others are a similar price)

•              1 large hand full chopped parsley. (£1.00 for 11g of dried parsley since we are on a budget.  Loads left)

•              10 ounces fresh baby spinach.  (1.15 for a pack)

Rice as a side is £1.25 for 1kg.  Loads left)

 

 Instructions

1.            In a large pot, heat just enough olive oil to coat the bottom and then add the onions.  Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, and then add the garlic.  Cook another 3 minutes.  Add the tomatoes and all the spices; stir 1 minute.  Stir in stock, water, and lentils.  Increase heat to high and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until lentils are almost tender, stirring occasionally, (about 15 - 20 minutes)

 

2.            Add chickpeas, carrots, lima beans, and half the parsley.  Cover; simmer until carrots are very tender, about 20 minutes.  This dish can be made one day ahead of time.   Cover and chill.  Bring to a simmer before continuing.  Refrigerate remaining parsley for garnish.

 

3.            Stir spinach into stew in batches until wilted.  Season with salt and pepper.  Ladle into bowls with rice.  Garnish each bowl with remaining parsley and serve with lemon wedges.

 

 

Even if you had to buy every single ingredient on this list  the total price of this recipe is £13.34, and you would then have the basic ingredients to make other meals on hand.  A more reasonable estimate is around £4.78 for the actual ingredients used.  This is based on the recipe making four portions (these would be large portions), and this is still an overestimate.  It keeps well in the fridge too if not using it all at once.

At £1.69 each, four of the most basic McDonalds burgers £6.76.  OK, there will be some gas or electric used in the cooking of this meal, but you would have to either drive to a McDonald’s or pay for delivery.  On any level, a meal like the one shown above wins hands down.

Jamie Oliver is well known for his efforts to get people eating well.  The recipe above is not his, but he recently did an entire series on making cheap and healthy meals, (Jamie’s £1 Wonders & Money-Saving Meals).  People out there are not short of healthier choices than a constant diet of fast food.  At the most basic level, open a can of beans and make some toast.  Are parents really that uneducated about nutrition and eating?