GET STUFFED!

Dare you discover the fascinating - and sometimes foul - truth about fast food? Ciaran Sneddon serves up a feast of facts.

- Ciaran Sneddon

What’s for dinner tonight? While your ancient ancestors may have been stuck with gnawing on nuts and berries, and whatever meat they could catch, today’s menu options are quick, easy and bursting with energy – and also don’t run away. You eat meals that people centuries ago wouldn’t have even been able to imagine: crunchy crisps, doughnuts covered in sprinkles, juicy meat patties in soft burger buns, pizzas loaded with toppings, and dinosaurs made of turkey. So, how were these new foods first invented? What are they made of? What do they do to our bodies and brains? And why do they taste so yummy? Let’s tuck in and find out!

Food, glorious food

Most foods that people eat today are processed. All this really means is that the ingredients have been altered from their original form. Some foods can be cooked and eaten in the same form they are found in, such as eggs, fruit and vegetables, beans, seeds, nuts, fresh fish, fresh meat and milk. These are called wholefoods. Everything else is modified. It’s not so unusual when you think about it – in fact the ability to turn natural ingredients into tasty, energy-rich foods is a skill that is unique to humans. Chips, pastries, ready meals, soft drinks, vegetarian sausages and tofu are all processed, but so are biscuits, bread, cheese, breakfast cereal and yoghurt.