Foods at the base of the pyramid should form the basis of your daily healthy eating plans. These foods include vegetables, fruits, lentils, dried peas, beans, lentils, breads and cereals (preferably wholegrain). Eating a variety of these foods should provide a healthy intake of carbohydrate, protein, vitamins and dietary fiber.

Some 20 years ago the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) created a visual representation of what an adult American should be eating: the Healthy Eating Pyramid. The Healthy Eating Pyramid structure was a stroke of genius. The shape and the manner in which the food was represented indicated that some weight management tips were good and should be consumed in larger quantities while some were important but should be eaten in lesser quantities. Towards the peak of the Healthy Eating Pyramid were food that should be consumed the least.

This simple visual healthy eating out conveyed in a flash the main elements of a weight management program.

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There are many brands of pet foods on the market and it can be a daunting task deciding how to look after your new bundle of fur that is going to be at your side for the rest of his life.

The foods that are available vary. There is semi dried food, tinned foods that can be mixed with dry food, home made food and a pet diet that consists of completely dry food.

Each pet diet will have its own different qualities, but fortunately manufacturers have labelled their packaging to show which one is suitable for a puppy, adult dog or a senior dog.

When you feed your puppy or adult dog, the best pet diet is one that your pet finds easy to digest; you will know whether or not you are feeding your pet food that is correct for him when he goes to the toilet.

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We live to roam the farmers markets. There’s something so inviting about buying fresh food straight from the producer and what’s not to love about a leisurely walk through an open air market on a bright, Spring day?

Personally, it takes me back to my childhood growing up in Egypt where my grandfather, Giddou in Arabic, would take me by the hand and lead me through the fruit and vegetable vendor stalls in the open air market of Alexandria in pursuit of the day’s bounty. Finger-slim, purple aubergines, buxom, crimson tomatoes and verdant, leafy herbs piled high among an array of fragrant, earth colors sat side by side, vendors hawking their prized produce to the sea of shoppers with their mesh carry-alls in hand. Giddou would smell, squeeze and prod at the picks before him to choose the finest he could find, haggling with the vendors for the best price. We’d proudly display our farm fresh assortment to the rest of the family, which would inevitably come together with fresh garlic, vinegar and olive oil for our mid-day feast.

What happens to our food supply between the field and the fork? Most food has not only traveled thousands of miles, it’s been touched by dozens of hands and doused with who-knows-what, leaving the cleanliness of our meals questionable.

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