As I was just thinking my way around the shopping for tomorrow (as you do) to make sure I can list anything that I might want etc...

A thought just occured to me ! The Goverment want us all to be healthier, don't get overweight, don't drink too much, eat 5 a day (fruit and veg) etc etc...

So why haven't they put any sort of rules and regulations in place about how supermarkets display their goods so that the children are on eye level with all the sweets and chocolates (that are bad for them, will give them dental problems, put weight on etc) especially at the check out where they will be stood for quite some time. Its not rocket science, its obviously done so that while mum and dad are loading the shopping up and paying, the children are staring at fudge, chocolate and sweets. It won't be long before that well known phrase is heard "can I have".... maybe more should be done to make supermarkets move all that stuff, make other displays look more attractive.. why can there be a 6 foot superhero cardboard cut out holding the display of veg rather than sweets and crisps etc... Move the items that are better not eaten or in moderation away from the floor, make them less obvious and move the things we should be eating into the line of sight of children (and parents) and make those displays stand out and look interesting and appetising !

Steve

Was there not a recent proposal that cigarettes should be hidden from display? Perhaps sweets should be on the "top shelf" to prevent impulse buying!

It would be a step in the right direction ! When you think about it they are being preconditioned from a very early age as they go shopping etc..

Steve

Totally agree with you Steve about 'preconditioning' - however think kids deserve a treat after being dragged around the supermarket for half an hour, but why not displays of children friendly fruit at the checkout - satsumas, cherries, grapes etc.?

Perhaps I was an unusual kid but I always wanted broad beans or peas for the drive home - fun to depod and delicious raw!

LOL, again maybe the whole ethos needs changing.. shopping should be a joy and the start of learning to cook and eat ! Its where you can show your children (and grandchildren when they are around) what to buy, how good, what to look for etc.. what it will make... how lovely it will be...Don't get me wrong I don't mean a lecture on food as we frog march them around, but if you are looking at the fruit and show them the nice tomatoes and say not like that one its split open or gone a funny colour.. smell it...mmmm etc...while I'm cooking the grandchildren are always asking to look in the pans (which I have to make them step back and I then lower it so they can see, which obviously means they are interested and are learning what happens while cooking etc..)

Steve

"shopping should be a joy and the start of learning to cook and eat !"

I love food shopping (just as well as we all need to eat!) but think the robotic method of supermarket shopping, throwing prepackaged food into the trolly gives kids no introduction to food. When small I always went to a local greengrocers with my Mother, and was encouraged to observe, touch, smell and taste any food before purchase.

Expect this would not go down well in Tesco's but with their millions pounds of profit a few nibbled raspberries would not go amiss?

Think of me going to the vegetable market (Mandi) in the early morning to get the freshest of vegetables. It was such fun. I didn't do it very often though, it clashed with school/college times.

I still try to go sometimes, if I get a chance :-).

Mamta

very true but there are still things like fruit and veg out in boxes/tubs etc...

... and of course those essentials like "potatoes ready for the oven" and "mashed potatoes", "pre-sliced carrots" I'm not sure which ones of the made easy foods I find worse to be honest...

Steve

Surely any pre-chopped or par-cooked, frozen ingredients must use loose most of their vitamins and nutrients?

Much as I respect Delia Smith as a cookery author (second to Mamta of course!) she came up with this extraordinary book "how to cheat at cooking" full of frozen and tinned ingredients. Why not just use fresh? Or perhaps I just find cooking therapeutic and love slicing, dicing and chopping!

I'm with you on that, currently making bread rolls just so I can take pictures of them ! LOL

Steve

might make a sandwich when I'm done though !

"how to cheat at cooking" was all about making some more money for the poor woman!

Agree Mamta, wonder how much Delia was paid for recommending individual ingredients? (Luckily I only got the book from the library so didn't buy it!)

Steve, perhaps when Alan Johnson becomes Prime Minister we can apply as a jobshare as Health Minister!