Town needs 'army of healthy eating experts'

With Bolton boasting one of the worst records of heart attacks in the country, Mrs Ansari thinks more people are needed to tell people how to eat their way to a healthy future.

Her views come as the Bolton Evening News and the Royal Bolton Hospital continue their appeal to raise £1 million to build a new coronary care unit for the Minerva Road site by 2003.

Mrs Ansari said: "There isn't enough of us. I wish there were more to spread the healthy message across Bolton -- it may help reduce heart disease in the future.

She added: "When I first came to Bolton, I couldn't believe how many pies and pasties were eaten.

"I think the wet, miserable weather must have a lot to do with what we eat.

"Busy days mean more people head to fast food outlets for a hot meal. Yet a meal in a popular fast food restaurant is like eating two meals because of its high fat, calorie and salt intake.

"But it does taste delicious -- but so does fresh food. It's just a bit harder to prepare it yourself. I think that's why high fat food tastes better, because someone else has cooked it for you."

Eating a balanced diet with five portions of fruit and vegetables each day will help prevent many diseases.

Mrs Ansari said: "Don't think of food as good or bad. The problem is that people try to do too much too soon. You should really make subtle changes to improve your lifestyle."

Experts say we should always include variety to provide nutrition.

Cravings for sugar and high fat "favourite meals" are natural and do not have to be banned completely.

Mrs Ansari said: "You don't have to be too strict. You should think of eating everything in moderation."

In the last five years, death rates from heart disease in Britain have fallen dramatically because of better preventative measures -- but Bolton still remains one of the worst towns in the country for heart attack deaths and more could be done by local people to try to stay healthy.