Death is in the pot.

Death is in the pot.

There can be few people today who are unaware of the consequences of a faulty diet. Gone are the days when gorging and over consumption were thought of as the joyful prerogative of the noble and wealthy. They should have cottoned on when King Henry the VIII died of a surfeit of lampreys.

The food we eat has a major influence on the state of our health. Food nutrition scientists now know what common sense used to tell the wise - a varied diet of fresh food keeps us in peak condition and therefore helps to sustain a long life. Modern athletes have their diets scrutinized in the finest detail in order to maximize their fitness and functioning efficiency.

Obesity is a problem so there must still be a lot of people who, though aware of the problem, lack the will power to avoid the wrong foods. It could be that some people are unlucky and have a fat gene or a fault somewhere but this saying tells us that it is worthwhile to think before you eat. The best way to avoid overindulgence is not to have a lot of the wrong food in the house. Go shopping when you are full, not hungry, and buy the sensible stuff.

On the other hand you could throw caution to the wind and live like a medieval king - "eat, drink and be merry" and snuff it.