DO WE REALLY KNOW WHAT WE ARE EATING?

New bite-size mini lecture series 'Food & Nutrition' promises to whet the appetite We're all confused about food these days… as a nation we are told that we are over reliant on fast and processed food, that we are overweight if not obese, we will be the death of the National Health Service if not ourselves….and yet it's hard to find a TV programme not aimed at foodies! Celebrity chefs and mouthwatering recipes beam at us from the news stands and it's hard to not catch sight of a cupcake lurking seductively somewhere… Food is one of life's pleasures but how do we make sense of all the contradictory and confusing information that surrounds it? The Life Science Centre, Newcastle, in association with the Health and Life Sciences at Northumbria University, are to present a new mini-series on Tuesday evenings in April and May over a period of seven weeks called 'Mini Food and Nutrition' which gives an insightful introduction as why the modern day food industry is the way it is and how we can make informed decisions about how we to choose and combine our personal diet 'ingredients'. "We’re all interested in our food as we spend so much of our time buying it, preparing it and eating it…this mini course will be as interesting to domestic gods and goddesses as well as those who are thinking of pursuing a career or further study in food science, nutrition or catering (suitable age 14 and upwards)" says Dr John Lodge, Reader in Metabolic Nutrition and Head of the Food and Nutrition Research Group at Northumbria University. It’s a recipe of sorts. A gently stirred mix of eleven academics with six two hr lectures on Tuesday nights and one Saturday morning sharing specialist knowledge…how nutritious or 'healthy' our diet actually is, what food labels actually mean, how safe (or unsafe) food industry hygiene and manufacturing practices are and how food affects our bodies and our brains. To whet the appetite, the first session involves 'taste testing' with beer and chocolate and to prove that eyes are indeed bigger than the stomach and with good reason, a later session discusses the significance of the attractive rainbow of colours prevalent in fruit and vegetables. Ian Simmons, Science Communications Director at Life says: “Mini Food and Nutrition is the latest addition to a growing programme of activities specially developed for an older audience which includes ‘science-through-the –medium-of alcohol’ cocktail evenings and ‘Lates’, which allow adults to explore the Science Centre after dark. The ‘mini’ courses have proved to be particularly popular and are an excellent way for young people considering further study or career options, or adults just looking for an alternative and informative night out.” Lecture series: Mini Food and Nutrition Dates and Times: Tuesday 16 April 7-9pm… Seducing the Senses - Beer and Chocolate Tuesday 23 April 7-9pm… Food for the Body and Brain Tuesday 30 April 7-9pm… Making food safe Saturday 11 May 10.30am-1pm… Optional practice session-How clean is their kitchen? Tuesday 14 May 7-9pm… Food - the hidden dangers Tuesday 21 May 7-9pm…Painting the palate Tuesday 28 May 7-9pm…How nutritious is our food? Place: Science Theatre, Life Science Centre, Times Square, Newcastle NE1 4EP Price: £45 Booking information: Call 0191 234 8223