Any one for a mince pie?
My heart sank and my stomach turned this week when I heard that the United States
professional body for stuffing your face – I mean competitive eating - was hosting its
first UK event. In keeping with season, the challenge was to eat as many mince pies as
possible in 10 minutes. Professional gurgitator Sonya Thomas consumed 46. The host of
the show congratulated her for her ‘poetic athleticism’.
What are we supposed to make of this celebration of waste and excess? Is it just a bit of
fun? When did gurgitation become a career? When did gluttony become poetic
athleticism? In a society where anything goes, it seems that even the seven deadly sins
are getting an upgrade.
I have heard Christmas described as the time of year when ecology, religion and
consumerism collide. I must admit that like many of my friends I struggle to be true to
what I believe in at this time of year. I don’t like the idea of being a guzzler and a waster,
but often end up being one - through habit, laziness, family tradition. Naturally I have
many excuses.
But this year, sobered by the mince pie debacle, I am determined to make a stand. I read
that during the Christmas season, the average family wastes around a third of the food
they buy. I don’t want to be part of that statistic. So I will be thinking much more
carefully about what our family needs and I may give the mince pies a miss.
Other Christmas food tips
Buy seasonal, organic, local food and drink. It saves on food miles and pollution.
Buy loose rather than pre-packed vegetables.
Avoid serving food and drink on disposable plates and cups.
Recycle cards, wrapping paper, bags, bottles, cans where possible
Compost vegetable waste
Re-use cooking foil
Professor Shirley Ali Khan