Where to shop Recipe: Low Fat, Low Sugar

More unusual items can often be obtained at ethnic supermarkets and health food shops.

Fresh and frozen meat, fish, fruit and vegetables have the highest food values and the fewest additives. Buy them in quanities you can use quickly and store them at the correct temperature.

Most should be kept cool and dry.

When you look at tinned foods, select those with the fewest added ingredients. There are hundreds of additives designed to modify the texture, appearance and taste, which do nothing for the food value but whose health risks are as yet unknown. There is no need to avoid them altogether, but it might be wise to restrict their use as far as possible.

Many tinned foods have high salt and/ or sugar levels and these are best avoided.

Some breakfast cereals may also have excessive levels of salt and sugar and these should be avoided.

Copyright Peter Thomson 2012-May-19