Hungry Girl - My Thoughts.

I am into health and fitness, despite being a lazy third year University student who loves to snack on chocolate, a lot. And rarely makes it out of the house even if I've managed to get my trainers and joggers on. Yes, it's that bad, but I am still very interested in health and looking after my body.

Last week when I came back to my house at University, I was having a slob day and watching the Food Network channel. A programme called Hungry Girl came on and I vaguely recognised it - I think I must have visited the website a couple of times but had never been that drawn in due to it being American and everything, (foodwise) is just overcomplicated with them because you can't get half the stuff they use here in the UK and also, I don't use cup measurements when it comes to cooking.

I was shocked. This particular episode was called Big Sandwiches sandwiches - 'healthy' alternatives and choices in the sandwich shop survival guide. Sandwiches in general aren't that good for you, but they are good for sustenance and there are plenty of ways in which you can add nutrition to your sandwich. FORGET all of this fat free, sugar free, low calorie ingredient crap. My theory - if you get at least five fruits and vegetables in your diet every day without going overboard on the carbs, saturated fat, salt and sugar then you are doing it right. My idea of a healthy sandwich:

• Brown bread - wholemeal, granary, whatever
• No butter - I personally just don't like butter in my sandwiches, but if I were to use any it would be Lurpak spreadable.
• All natural no added sugar peanut butter - I love Whole Earth peanut butter. It's a little on the pricey side in the peanut butter section of your supermarket but I think it's worth it.
• A sliced banana

With that you get lots of protein and vitamins in the peanut butter and one of your five a day, not to mention how much it will fill you up. Looking at some of Hungry Girl's recipes for sandwiches - well, it's all about size isn't it? High volume for low calories. I couldn't actually believe what I was seeing and hearing - this is coming from the Food Network channel, the same channel where they air Diners, Driveins and Dives, Man vs Food, Nigella Bites! Who is this crazy calorie obsessed woman and why is she so successful?!

In my opinion fat free and sugar free anything is bad news. It seems that her audience just can't deal with the idea of eating treats in moderation and doing regular exercise. Hungry girl, you're only hungry because you're not actually eating anything! Maybe it looks like a big sandwich, but if it doesn't have the calories, it's not going to fill you up. Also, that American sliced cheese she uses - you know, the stuff you find in hamburgers - her fat free version? NOT EVEN FOOD. Cheese should never be fat free, or even low in fat. Cheese IS fat, and that's totally fine! You are allowed to eat cheese! And if you're not, because you're overweight and trying to shift a few pounds then go without for a little while and do some exercise!

I will never understand this way of thinking. It's an unhealthy relationship with food that results in eating disorders and I am so disappointed that the Food Network channel UK airs this programme every day at 2pm. It's disgraceful.

Goodbye, Flower xo