CALORIE counting is never easy during a diet, but it’s even more difficult being healthy and eating out in pubs or restaurants.
Now a Calderdale health trust is joining forces with pubs with the aim of giving punters the best of both worlds.
Brighouse’s Old Ship Inn is one of those part of the Nudge Nudge scheme – this year’s Change4Life initiative.
NHS Calderdale is among the first in the UK to attempt such a scheme and secured funding from the Department for Health for their ambitious plans.
And while punters might not notice any difference, they will be nudged to consume healthier food and drink.
The Old Ship Inn, on Bethel Street, will offer a healthier alternative and landlord and chef Mark Feasey says it shows he’s taking care of his customers.
It is one of 20 pubs in Calderdale backing the idea, but the only one in Brighouse, Rastrick and Elland.
Mark’s surprised more haven’t signed up, saying: “As a chef it’s been good to look at the menu and see what changes we can make.
“This is about cooking methods, steaming vegetables for the right time so the nutrients remain, not using oils if they’re not needed and using local produce, which we’ve done for the last three years anyway.
“It shows that we’re looking after our customers and I hope they jump on board with it.”
The Bethel Street pub is rare as much of its ingredients come from within a stone’s throw of the pub – pies come from Andrew Jones across the road, meat and fish from the market 100 yards away and vegetables from a supplier within a mile.
Fish, including trout and salmon, are poached and chips can be replaced by new potatoes, boiled instead of fried.
Gaynor Scholefield, public health manager at NHS Calderdale, said the food and drink swap project is about offering people the healthy choice.
“We’re not asking people to forgo the treats often associated with dining out, but helping them to consider the healthier alternatives,” she said.
“The campaign highlights the calorific values of the food and drink people consume while out and about for a social drink or meal, or both.
“Even the smallest of changes can have a positive impact on their health and wellbeing.”
She says that a baked potato has a third of the calories chips have. A gin and slimline tonic has 64 fewer calories than normal tonic.
A government White Paper looking at healthy lives is going through the system and it claims that “Britain is now the most obese nation in Europe”.
Statistics show that two out of three adults are overweight or obese, costing the NHS £4.2billion each year.
Around seven in 10 people consume more salt than recommended, and only three in 10 adults eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.
NHS Calderdale say little changes can make a big difference – and they hope people will make the change for life.
A TRIP to the pub can see the pounds pile on.
Just how many calories do we take in when we eat or drink out?
l Pint of beer - 182 calories
l Bag of crisps - 184
l Portion of chips - 253
l Beefburger and fries - 786
l Slice of pizza - 171
l Ham and cheese toastie - 429
