Obesity is constantly in the news at the moment . . . shouldn't people be getting the message by now?

I think there has been an upwards trend towards healthy eating, particularly in the last couple of years. People are beginning to realise just how important food is to their lives, from a health perspective as well as from the pleasure aspect of food.

The fact that nutrition is extensively written about reflects consumers' interest in the subject. But we often get conflicting messages from the various media about what is an isn't good for you . . . which is why we feel that a commonsense approach to eating, is the best way forward.

It has just been in the news that the European Commission has asked the food industry to stop advertising to children. So where does the responsibility lie in ensuring that our children eat healthily?

It is down to individual responsibility. But we can't ignore the fact that advertising and marketing have a deep impact on people. Still, it is difficult as members of the EU to place restrictions on what companies can advertise . . . it could be seen as anti-competitive for one state to be seen to be clamping down, and this was one of the issues which were identified under the Obesity Taskforce that was set up.

So we can't do much about advertising. But what should people be eating . . . and why does it seem that everything tasty is fattening?

It doesn't have to be that way, and learning to cook is an excellent way to combat that perception.

And do you have to learn how to cook properly to get the best out of food?

Not necessarily. Virtually every product can be bought in processed form, so you can still be a lazy cook and eat healthily. You can buy your vegetables pre-sliced and your salad pre-washed. But what you do have to do with your food is think about it, and have a basic understanding of nutrition. And, when it comes to processed food. This usually means buying local produce rather than air-mile produce.

But don't nutritional guidelines change all the time?

Yes they do, although the basic principles are the same.

For example, the food triangle, which was an educational tool used by the US Government, was re-jigged about four years ago, and where they once said "five vegetables", they now say "five vegetables plus". The basic message is to eat more vegetables and less dairy than was suggested in the past.

But try to avoid the sort of scaremongering that you read in newspapers . . . for example, a Spaniard in the 18th Century wouldn't go a day without his fix of chocolate.

And do you eat anything that you shouldn't on a regular basis?

Kimberley biscuits . . . and if you eat enough of them at once, you can feel your mouth burning from the ginger. . .