So now that you know a little about me, the next question might be why do I call myself The Ordinary Dietitian….…..basically because I tend to eat quite basic, ‘ordinary’, food.
I was born and reared on a small farm in County Roscommon.
I consider myself to be extremely fortunate to have had a ‘stay-at-home’ Mammy who was always there to make sure we had 3 home cooked meals every day. My home house didn’t have a microwave (something I actually don’t have either which many people find hard to believe), and the only freezer was the little ice box in the top of the fridge (and because the door was broken didn’t really keep anything frozen for more than a few hours).
These 2 things, and the fact that it was rural Ireland in the 80’s and 90’s meant there was very little convenience foods so my mother always cooked every meal from scratch with fresh ingredients. It was completely normal to have potatoes, meat and vegetables every day (except on a Friday when she would make us chips – which she also made herself!).
Our snacks tended to be fruit, yogurts, cheese or crackers and we had a ‘treat box’. The ‘treat box’ was an old margarine tub and if anyone came to visit and brought chocolate/bars it was put into this box and we got to pick something to bring with us for lunch (more often than not the box was mostly full of Club Milks!).
We also got a ‘treat’ on a Thursday which was usually an ice-cream or a bar or packet of crisps and during the summer after a long day in the bog we would get to stop for something in the local shop.
Depending on the level of work done (or maybe it was to do with whatever money my parents had with them on the day) we got either a HB Sparkle, Super split or on a really good day a Chunky (I’m really showing my age here!).
To those that are too young to remember these ice-creams and the significant difference between them a Chunky cost 4 times that of the Sparkle, so it was the ultimate luxury to get!
Fizzy drinks were something that only came into the house for birthdays or Christmas or you’d have when on holidays (which was usually 2 or 3 days in Galway or Kerry once a year).
Were we deprived? Absolutely not – we had everything we needed.
We had healthy, home cooked food, there was always chocolate / some type of confectionary in the house (my mother would bake bread, buns, cakes and tarts – which is where I got my love of baking) and we got to include it in a healthy way.
I never remember feeling like we weren’t ‘allowed’ something.
We just ate plain, ordinary food that was in season and was available in the local supermarket.
I was actually a very picky eater as a child but despite not eating a massive variety of foods at the time what I was eating was fairly balanced – the same can’t be said for my teenage years but that’s for another day!
So where does that leave me now…..well I once read that from our early 30’s many women feel they are ‘turning into their mother’.
Well I am proud to say that I am one of those women – I love cooking meals from scratch, using fresh ingredients (although I do have the luxury of a freezer which is usually packed with meat, fish, bread and vegetables) and everyone in the house is offered 3 healthy, balanced meals each day with snacks in between (although these are not always eaten by everyone everyday!).
Breakfast is a must in our house. I tend to keep it simple with cereal on week days & then weekends can be pancakes, toast or cereal – whatever we feel like on the day.
Lunch can be anything from a simple sandwich to egg, beans or cheese on toast and some fruit.
For dinner, week days it’s usually a simple stir-fry with rice or a pasta dish with chicken or mince.
On Fridays, like my childhood, I tend to do some home-made chips/ wedges with either homemade burgers or homemade chicken goujons and then at weekends it’s the traditional meat, potato veg! Plain, ordinary food!
Nobody is perfect and no one’s food intake is perfect all the time – mine certainly isn’t! But by keeping it simple we can make it easier to get the nutrients we need without feeling like we need to be a Michelin star chef!
Follow Fiona, The Ordinary Dietitian on Social Media
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this blog/newsletter is intended for healthy adults seeking general guidance on nutrition and healthy eating habits. It is important to note that the advice and recommendations provided are not a substitute for personalized, one-to-one advice from a qualified healthcare professional, such as a registered dietitian or physician. It is essential to consider your individual circumstances, preferences, and any specific dietary restrictions or allergies you may have when applying the information provided. We do not assume any liability for the use of the information provided in this newsletter. By accessing and utilizing this information, you acknowledge and agree that you are doing so at your own risk.
