Sorry it has been such a long time since I last posted. Moving house is a very hectic process and we are right in the middle of it. As the hot weather is finally here in Britain and we are getting our summer wardrobe out, some of us may still be feeling a bit self conscious of our figures. So I thought what better time is there to talk about The Vintage Diet. How does our diet compare to back then? and How have our figures changed?
1940's
During the 1940's WWII was underway and rationing had taken hold. Rationing has always fascinated me, as I think of how much we have now and how much gets thrown away. We say things like "I couldn't live without McDonalds or chocolate!" During the second world war, however, they had none of that. They had so little but still managed to get by. Could you live off rations?
Average rations per person per week were:
4oz/100g bacon and ham
Meat to the value of 1/2 shilling (about 1/2lb of minced beef)
2oz/50g butter
2oz/50g cheese
4oz/100g margarine
4oz/100g cooking fat
2-3 pints of milk
8oz/200g sugar
Preserves 1 lb every 2 months
2oz/50g tea
1 fresh egg
12oz/300g sweets every 4 weeks
1 packet of egg powder per month
For vegetables and fruit people were encouraged to 'Dig For Victory'. Gardens were turned into allotments, as people grew their own food.
In addition to the rationing and 'Dig For Victory' there was a points system. You were allowed 16 points but that had to last 4 weeks. This was to control how much people bought of imported and canned goods.
1950's
Though the war had ended in 1945 rationing continued. In fact it actually became stricter once the war had ended. Bread was rationed from 1946. Potato rationing started in 1947.
During the early 50's, though, thing started to look up. Sweet rationing ended in 1953 and sugar rationing ended in the September of the same year. By July 4th 1954 all rationing had ended, 9 years after the war.
Not only were the diets different but also the lifestyle of women in the 40s and 50s was different.
Checkout this article on the mail online:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-191200/How-1950s-women-stayed-slim.html
Today
Can you see the difference!
Not only have the majority stopped cooking nutritious, home cooked meals but most families don't eat together any more.
On average women in the 1950's consumed around 1200 calories. They burnt around 1000.
Today women eat on average about 2000 calories and because of washing machines and cars and supermarkets they only burn about 600.
Food for thought I think.
Body Image Then and Now
Years ago in vintage times skinny was not seen as attractive. While many men say they prefer curves, the glossy magazines of today certainly do not promote adverts like the one above. Skinny is in according to society. What do you think?
A typical woman's measurement's in the 1950s were 36-24-35. Today they are more like 38-34-40 and also around half a stone heavier.
So if you have been inspired to try The Vintage Diet with me then great, I would love to hear from you. I will post a few vintage recipes over the next few weeks so keep your eyes peeled.
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