"Seven a day"

Actually, just checked - I only had 2 tablespoons of peas not 3.
And noticed in passing a whole large parsnip is only one portion!

When I gave my grandson his lunch today, he asked me where his vegetables were. They were in the kitchen on another plate. Red peppers, tomatoes, spinach, cucumber and olives.
He's autistic and has finally got over the idea of not having foods touch.
Still cannot mix them for him, though, and he goes round the plate in order.

Get a grip Nfk add a slice of lemon to that G&T.

Still trying to find out if nuts count....

The reason potatoes ceased to be a vegetable according to government recommendations was because "people would think that they could just eat chips all the time". Our lords and masters have such a high opinion of us. Nevertheless, potatoes are vegetables.

Did you see the programme last night in autism djen?

Well there's a certain logic in that thinking Absent

In the absence of any proof to the contrary I'm going to unilaterally declare that nuts count as one of my 5-7-9 a day. And that includes chocolate Brazil's.

My diet was dreadful today! Raw porridge with half a banana, Egg & chips pub lunch at knitting group. (That is just my once a month treat).
A small portion of spiced up cauliflower and smaller portion of frozen spinach (that was all that was left in the bag) and a tomato and onion salad and lentil dal with chapatties. Shameful really. Must do better.

According to this nutritionist (Zoe Harcombe) the findings are deeply flawed!

www.zoeharcombe.com/2014/04/seven-a-day-fruit-and-veg/

All the facts and figures and research methodology and interpretation aside, I think this puts it well:

"This isn’t just about fruit and veg – it’s about a whole lifestyle of advantaged people and disadvantaged people. Do researchers really think that we could take a Glaswegian man or woman – with a life expectancy of 71.6 and 78 respectively – and give them the life expectancy of the men and women in Kensington and Chelsea – 85.1 and 89.8 respectively – with extra portions of fruit and vegetables? May I suggest that the fruit and veg intake is a marker of a healthy lifestyle and not the maker of one?"

Apologies for the apostrophe, it wasnae me it 'twas my iPad.

Your statistics are flawed NannaAnna surely? I didn't think the life expectancy of the average Glaswegian was as high as that (talking as one who was born there).

Well, I am going to count potatoes now, thankyou absent. They are my very favourite vegetable of all, if I was asked what I would take to a desert island it would be a bag of potatoes. (Some to eat, some to plant)
I could catch fish and eat fish and potatoes (oh, and some garlic - does that count? And olive oil - if it's made from olives does it count as one of your five a day?)

Now look what you've done Absent - now everyone is going to think potatoes are vegetables

life expectancy in Glasgow

I think it depends if you live in the posh end of Glasgow or the other end.

I'll write the recipe out in the morning, I am reading this in bed! I hope you like them, I made them up.

NannaAnna

I really agree with you about the high fruit and veg intake being a marker of a healthy lifestyle and not the maker of one?"

I think this piece of "research" has not really proved any cause and effect but just highlighted a statistical correlation.

As in "Shredded Wheat's" statement that people with healthy hearts tend to eat more fibre. (It's not on the current packs though.)

I think there is something in what you say nananna. Hard to tease out the effects of other "lifestyle choices" - if you are eating all those veggies you probably don't have much room left for burgers and sausages for a start.

www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140331194030.htm

Anyone else noticed there is a sub set of what used to be called "health nuts" who smoke and then fuss about what they eat. I used to work with someone who was a vegetarian. At work she nibbled rice cakes (no wicked wheat) and sipped camomile tea (no evil caffeine) but was always fidgeting and looking at the clock, calculating when she could reasonably take another fag break.

Sweetcorn and Vegetable Pancakes

3 heaped tbsps of flour (my tablespoons are quite large, I really should weigh it)

1 egg

10 fl oz milk (I use skimmed, but whatever suits you)

ground black pepper

1 tsp olive oil

Mix in the blender, or with whisk.

To the mixture add

A large tin of sweetcorn or half a pound of defrosted corn kernels

1 large or two small, finely chopped peppers

Ditto onion.

Onion can be substituted with leek or lots of chives or shallots, pepper can be substituted with just about anything. I have used vast quantities of grated carrot, elderly runner beans from the freezer, just about anything. As long as you keep the onion in some form or other, and the sweetcorn, they will always taste nice. I did try chopped fried bacon pieces once but it was a waste of time, you couldn't taste them.

So grease a griddle or frying pan with olive oil and place dollops of the mixture on it, they only take a minute or so before needing flipping.

Sometimes I make a couple of larger ones to have for lunches and we cover them with a mixed salad and salsa. It's a very flexible thing to have in the freezer, because they can be a snack or a meal at any time. For breakfast I just have two small ones with a poached egg on top, but they are also nice with a bit of grated cheese sprinkled on them.

I think I'll try those, janerow. Have you ever substituted peas?

Thanks jane - that's got lunch sorted ! Sounds delicious.

Just remembered I am trying to empty the freezer as it needs some serious attention. If I eat them all at once for how many days will I just be able to eat chocolate ?

Thanks Jane

I get the odd day when I really have to have chocolate. I just go for it and get it out of my system.

You can make them with peas, thatbags, do you mean instead of the corn? They just aren't as sweet, that's all. If you are converting from sweet breakfast cereal, or toast and marmalade, sweetcorn is a good halfway house.

I make fritters a lot. I use grated kohlrabi, cabbage, anything. But then I use just a very little water instead of milk, and no egg in the mix. Carrot and coriander fritters are delicious.

Only the odd chocolate day Jane ? Wonder what chocolate fritters taste like?