Nutrition ‘more important’ than latest food fashion

In this exclusive video interview, filmed as part of the Food Manufacture Group’s 90^th​ birthday celebrations, Buttriss said that chasing trendy foods from tropical countries wouldn’t necessarily improve health and nutrition.

“There seems to be a big desire to identify the next magic bullet – the fads and fancies, and fashions – which don’t necessarily get people in the right place nutritionally,”​ said Buttriss. “Some of it is certainly well-meaning, but it’s not always right or evidence-based, and it’s confusing for people.​

‘New and sexy message’​

“So, I think whatever we do going forward, we’re going to have to find ways to counteract that, because often the healthy-eating message is one we’ve known for a long time. It’s not necessarily an exciting, new and sexy message, but it’s the message we need to try and apply.”​

Also in this video interview, Buttriss said she expected scientists in the future to examine whether nutrition could help delay, or even prevent, diseases including dementia. Understanding epigenetics – the study of biological mechanisms in people that will switch genes on and off – could also help people live longer, she added.

 “In many cases like dementia, for example, it’s a case of doing something before there’s a real problem,”​ said Buttriss. “So, I think as well as understanding the science, we need to develop ways to help persuade people that they can actually do something for themselves to keep healthier longer.”​

‘Understanding the science’​

The British Nutrition Foundation celebrated its 50^th​ birthday this year. Click here​ to find out more about its celebrations.

Earlier this month, Buttriss told FoodManufacture.co.uk that the science of food nutrition had evolved more over the past 50 years​ than ever before.

Meanwhile, watch out for Buttriss’s feature in the September issue of Food Manufacture​​, as part of the Food Manufacture Group’s 90^th​ birthday supplement.