Just a spoonful of sugar!
Known to man since Antiquity, sugar was for a long time viewed as a luxury product. Originating from sugar cane (hot climates) and sugar beet (temperate climates), it is now consumed the world over. Particularly high in calories, eating too much can cause obesity and tooth decay, both of which plague rich and emerging countries. So, a spoonful of sugar but no more!
Salt in small doses
Salt (or sodium chloride) adds flavour and is good for you but over salting food can lead to serious problems such as high blood pressure and heart disease! The French consume almost double the required amount i.e. around 8 g daily compared with 5 to 6 g recommended. Shove the extra salt off to the side of your plate and don't add anymore. Food manufacturers must also cut the salt content of their products.
It's easy to spot excessive fat content!
A ready-made meal bought in a supermarket is considered too fat when it contains over 10% of lipids, or 10 g for 100 g of this kind of dish. The lipid content is shown on the packaging. Get into the habit of reading what's on the pack.
