Celebrity nutritionist Gillian McKeith made an impression at Fruit Focus last week, using her familiar bullying tactics to endorse eating berries.
The presenter of Channel 4’s You Are What You Eat spoke about the health benefits of berries and demonstrated how to make soft-fruit smoothies at a KG seminar.
Berries are perfect food, according to McKeith. “They contain high levels of antioxidants, as well as anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties,” she said.
“Strawberries contain zinc, which is very good for your hair, teeth and nails, and also boosts your sex drive. Raspberries have a low GI and are rich in vitamins B1 and B2. Blueberries have been proven as one of the top antioxidants.”
But there is still a lot of work to be done to promote UK berries and encourage more consumers to eat them, according to McKeith.
“People are still scared of blackcurrants and redcurrants, and they need to be educated about how and when to eat them,” she said. “They are just as good for you as other berries, but there is less awareness about them.”
McKeith added that berries are best for you when they are fresh and untouched. She is an avid supporter of the ongoing campaign for local produce.
“Fresh fruit is best for you, and the fresher the better,” she said. “This is why it is so important that people eat locally-grown fruit and vegetables, rather than produce that has had to travel long distances and been kept for months on end. The longer you wait to eat fruit once it has been picked, the less nutritional value it will have.”
Those present at the seminar were asked to inspect each other’s tongues for signs of health problems and McKeith then instructed guests to massage each other’s kidneys. They were rewarded with samples of soft-fruit smoothies.
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