On a visit to Florida my husband and I joined relatives for a meal out. One youngster ordered an ‘Alice B Tokeless Brownie’ for dessert. What arrived was a huge sundae dish brimming with ice cream, marshmallow, cream and chocolate flakes. Enough for five people! The next day,‘in line’ for the Epcot Centre, we were astonished by the dimensions of our fellow visitors. Now obesity is becoming the norm here. Each day too many people eat too many fat-building foods.

Sense prevails when we begin to realise that over-processed snacks do not give us either energy or happiness. I always begin to work on energy levels with my clients. We fuel our cars correctly to prevent them grinding to a halt. It is essential that we do the same with our own excessively powerful engine, fuelling it with good wholesome nutritious food, which will turn into energy.

Subjecting the body to large amounts of fatty foods with artificial colouring and flavouring, heavily salted or sweetened means we become lethargic, lifeless and exhausted. Refined white sugar products and wheat products, which are so highly mucous forming, put extra stress and strain on our systems. Eat fresh and put a spring in your step.

People who drink copious cups of tea, coffee or fizzy drinks are invariably agitated, unable to operate in the morning until they have had their ‘fix’. Stimulants such as caffeine can put huge demands on our adrenals. Try substituting them with an organic caffeine-free drink. But remember to cut down slowly on caffeine intake to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Being made up of 70% water we need to replenish our systems with water rich foods – organic fresh fruits, vegetables and sprouted seeds and grains in order to cleanse our blood and lymph. Sprouting seeds and pulses is something all the family can enjoy – children love to see their rapid growth. Try the BioSnacky seeds, ranging from radish and alfalfa to mungbeans. There is even a Gourmet Mix.

Sprouts are highly nutritious. They give salads a crunchy feel, add colour to stir-fries and make excellent snacks at any time of day. They are also brimming with vitamins, minerals and enzymes – adding new heights to our vital force.

Say goodbye to brimming burgers, salty snacks and concealed fats in convenience foods and bring in essential fatty acids such as fish oil and flaxseed oil, organic seeds, nuts and pulses. Try to make meals colourful and appetising by using fresh salads, herbs and vegetables to help you do this. Your skin will benefit hugely.

BANT – the British Association for Nutritional Therapy has a website www.bant.org.uk where you can find a qualified nutritionist who can guide you with changes to your diet. They can also be reached on 0870 606 1284.