h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Saw the programme for the first time yesterday. It was fairly horrific. I suppose I could feel really good about myself in that my diet is in no way comparable to the family shown. I do wonder what anyone's meals for a week would look like all on the same table. The meat for the month on the table was truly disgusting and I don't think I've eaten anything like that for years - maybe a bit of wafer thin ham for sandwiches 15 or so years ago. I know what goes into them. Mechanically recovered meat - yummy!

I try to eat healthily, although I don't eat as many greens as I would like. I don't think I'm organised enough. I start with really good intentions and buy the right things, but sometimes I don't get round to eating them. Then I get cross with myself. Perhaps I need to go to a good cookery class as getting cookery books doesn't seem to help. Difficult with little , though as I would need someone to look after him.

Hi,

Haven't watched the prog. yet. Keep meaning to, but it clashes with something else I am doing Now are they going to repeat this series It would be worth it judging from the reactions to it.

It is difficult to eat enough veg. My other half is not as keen on salad as I am, and I find myself throwing stuff on the compost now. I never did that when there were four of us, and it makes me cross. You can use wilting salad and veg in soup though.

I have been growing beansprouts and alfalfa for a few weeks now and find it easy and brilliant. Constant supply with none going to waste.

They can be eaten in sandwiches, salads, stir fries, as a raw or cooked veg. You just soak for 8/12 hours, then rinse night and morning to keep them growing. There are a number of varieties with different tastes, and I love them. Salad sandwiches that aren't soggy Especially when I am out all day at at event.

The beauty is they are still fresh and growing till the second you eat them. Look for Biosnacky in health food shops if you are interested.

Websailor

Yes, Websailor, I missed the first one, then went on holiday, so I think I missed four before seeing this one. As many programmes have runs of six, next week's may be the last.

It was really interesting seeing Gillian Mckeith predicting what ailments the mother and family would have - thrush, bloating, wind, heartburn, bad breath (all the family had the last four, even the children)!

I've tried to grow beansprouts and alfalfa before, but failed. I soaked them overnight, maybe I needed to soak them longer? I know I really like them and they're great for salads. I'm trying not to eat bread, as I'm intolerant to it at the moment. I've just had a bout of cystitis and I'm sure that was linked to eating bread. I then found myself eating an flapjack (strictly meant for little ), but I think that the bread triggered a sugar craving.

One of my issues is finding things to eat for lunch. It was easy when I could make sandwiches. Now I'm eating fairly low carb, I'm finding it difficult, as things such as pasta (which I shouldn't eat in any case because of the wheat) and rice are out - so are potatoes.

If you have any suggestions here, I'll be all ears!

Is there a link with a picture of this table? Can't get British TV out here!

I have grown shoots from alfalfa, chick peas, sunflower seeds etc. The proprietary gadgets are usually no good. A jam jar with some netting over it, held with a rubber band, is best, placed upside down on the window sill, on a rack, so that the air gets in.

Rinse the shoots well and often - this helps prevent mould, which can set in very quickly. For this reason, they need conditions where they can grow quickly. Possibly it might help to keep them in the fridge, but I haven't tried that.

They do have a nutty taste, but could also cause wind, like pulses, because of the husks still being on them.


I haven't done this for a long time - must have a bash again. Usually it is a winter thing, though, as a substitute for the fresh salads and vegetables which are only available in the summer.

TC, I can't find a picture of the table with all the nasties on it - this is the nearest I've found so far:

http://icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk/0300entertainment/onthebox/tm_objectid=14375695&method=full&siteid=50081&headline=you-are-what-you-eat-name_page.html

As I remember, my sprouts went mouldy and I was using a proprietary gadget. If you place the jam jar upside down, surely the air won't get in it, will it?

Hi, Both,

I find the proprietary jars very good. They have a lid which is like a sieve, and a plastic piece which keep the jar on its' side but on the tilt so it drains.

It seems to me the soaking times are quite important, and rinsing thoroughly, especially in this humid weather.

I find it difficult to replace bread, but reading how much fat is in the loaves, even wholemeal, I shall have to cut down. I use Ryvita and Cream Crackers, but I am OK with rice, pasta, cous cous etc. so it isn't too bad.

Give the beansprouts another go, but you need to read the packets carefully.

Websailor

I'm intending to go into Greenwich tomorrow to the lovely health food shop there, so i should be able to buy the right stuff, and I will give it another go, Websailor.

The programme I saw said that white bread has twice the amount of yeast needed and is full of flour preservers and other chemicals. Gillian McKeith was very scathing about it. Mind, I haven't had white bread for ages, except for the odd occasion in M&S sandwiches, if brown wasn't available in the sort I wanted. You could try pitta bread and do wraps.

Traveller in Time searching for fresh bugs
"I thought it was just wise not to excaggerate with anything, sometimes white bread is not bad. Here we have the impression full wheat bread fills best. Is it not your hart runs purely on fat?

I like page two of your link, 'Mesologist' always start with your tongue to see what matters. "

Err, I think I'm very glad I didn't see this programme, as I have a very 'trad' diet, that probably goes against current thinking. I don't eat any proccessed food though, except occasional 'add hot water' noodles.

Supposedly 'good' diets are crap for us anyway, because of the amount of physical stuff we do.

Tit Bread is bad for me in most forms, as I'm intolerant to wheat and yeast - white bread is worse as it has twice the amount of yeast as wholemeal.

Kerr, How would you be with an Atkins type diet, where the major elements are protein, followed by veggies, then fruit, then dairy, nuts and legumes, and finally whole grains;

http://atkins.com/Archive/2004/2/10-121449.html ?

Feeling like a rabbit, frankly.

I think I'll stick where I am. I'm not drastically overweight, and I've got plenty of energy. Suits me fine

I'm just wondering what rabbit ate the poultry, fish, pork and soy products, which are the main source of protein, and the thing the Atkins type diet promotes the most, Kerr!

Admittedly, I don't eat all the meat, but I do eat the fish.

I've just got the 'You are what you eat' book, and (no surprise here), it advises that 'alcohol puts a big strain on your digestive system and liver. The liver converts alcohol into acetalydehyde, a toxic cousin of formaldehyde used in tanning leather and the embalming process'. I suppose that's why they call it 'getting pickled'! If only it didn't taste so nice, I could do without it completely, but I do still have the occasional beer or glass of wine.

"it advises that 'alcohol puts a big strain on your digestive system and liver"

My God, how much was he paid for that startling revelation?

"I'm just wondering what rabbit ate the poultry, fish, pork and soy products"

Never seen Monty Python and the Holy Grail? Vicious buggers, rabbits.

Yes, I've seen Monty Python and the Holy Grail, but I don't remember anything about rabbits it it. Remind me!

I don't remember anything about rabbits *in* it.

The cave at the end was guarded by a killer bunny that ripped out half the knights' throats...

I must be losing it, Kerr - I don't remember that bit at all!

Traveller in Time on his head
"It is right before the ceremony with the holy hand granade."

I must have been asleep when I watched it, TiT - perhaps it's a sign that I should get it out from the video library (if they still have it)!