Scientists at the Institute of Food Research are now working on how to make “unhealthy” foods less fatty while retaining taste and texture.Richard Faulks of the IFR says: “Our knowledge of the ways in which different foods are digested and processed by the body has grown hugely in recent years. Before, we had very little understanding of how appetite works. Now, we have a computer model where we can input any kind of food and get an exact reading of how it is digested, how satiety works and how the energy is released. It is this work that will allow us to manipulate foods to make them potentially more healthy.”Researchers at the institute are currently working on ways to keep fat on the surface of the food, to retain taste and texture, but replace the interior of the fat emulsion with water.

People do not cook as much as they used to, and we now need to look at how we can make processed foods more healthy. The ultimate goal may be to have a burger that has the same texture, taste and appearance as before, but is maybe enriched with vitamins and has a low-fat content.”Lower fat and reduced-calorie foods have been around for years, of course, but the key problem has been that they simply do not taste as nice, or give the same feelings of satiety. Of course, education and exercise and healthy messages are still part of the solution, but we have to be realistic and admit that we cannot stop people eating burgers and cakes and fatty goods. Unless we come up with clever ways to manipulate what we like to eat at the present time, we will see rates of obesity continuing to climb.”He continues: “We have to accept that tastes and attitudes have radically changed in this country. Banging on about unrealistic goals is not really an option, because 10 or 15 years of a sensible, healthy eating policy has made very, very little difference. It is the new holy grail in the crusade against Britain’s bulging waistlines – a low-calorie, vitamin-enriched hot dog that can prevent cancer and reduce cholesterol, and yet tastes exactly like the real thing.
For decades, health experts have pushed the same messages to combat obesity: eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, cut out cakes and take more exercise. Now, they are admitting that these tactics have failed dismally.

Obesity rates have trebled in the last 20 years and we are facing the prospect of the next generation of children dying before their parents because of weight-related problems.Instead, scientists and nutritionists are adopting an “if you can’t beat them, join them” approach to the problem. Rather than demonising unhealthy and processed products, they are looking at ways of turning “bad” foods into good, while making the good even better.The latest techniques involve changing the way in which foods are digested to increase feelings of fullness and suppress appetite, as well as manipulating the composition of fats and oils to reduce their unhealthy effects.Dr Gary Frost, head of the nutrition and dietetics department at Hammersmith Hospital in London, says: “We are staring down the barrel of a gun at the present time, in terms of the obesity problem. Linetskaya clinched victory with a volley.The 2003 champion Kim Clijsters looked impressive in her comeback from wrist surgery, defeating the Russian Anna Chakvetadze 6-1, 7-6.. But to finish it off as well as I did bodes well for the next round.”In the women’s game, Amelie Mauresmo’s attempt to regain the world No 1 ranking took a knock when she lost 2-6, 6-2, 7-5 to Russian teenager Evgenia Linetskaya in the third round.Linetskaya saved a match point at 4-5 down in the third set when the second seed from France put a forehand volley wide. Mauresmo double-faulted to allow the Russian to break serve and lead 6-5. “It was really difficult conditions out there, which is not what you expect at Indian Wells, there’s usually no wind and it was really blowy which made it hard.”With these conditions you have to accept you’re going to mess a few shots up. The British No 1 Tim Henman overcame difficult conditions in the Pacific Life Open to move into the fourth round of the ATP Masters Series at Indian Wells, California, yesterday.
In unusually blustery conditions Henman saw off the Austrian youngster Jurgen Melzer in straight sets, 7-5, 6-4, to set up a tie with Tommy Robredo.”It was about who could stay positive and not get frustrated and I felt I did that well,” Henman, 30, said.

“But so far I have the feeling that the chances are there to repeat last year’s season.”The second seed Lleyton Hewitt defeated American Robby Ginepri 6-2, 7-6 while Safin survived two match points before overcoming Finland’s Jarkko Neimenen 4-6, 6-1, 7-5.. Since then he has won titles in Rotterdam, Doha and Dubai.”We’ll really see after these two events, Indian Wells and Miami, how I’m really shaping up, if I’m still No 1,” Federer said. Amelie Mauresmo’s attempt to regain the world No 1 ranking took a knock when she lost 2-6, 6-2, 7-5 to Russian teenager Evgenia Linetskaya in the third round of the Pacific Life Open.
Linetskaya saved a match point at 4-5 down in the third set when the second seed from France put a forehand volley wide. Although Baby was penalised by the referee, Tony Spreadbury of England, at the time, the independent match commissioner, Bill Dunlop of Scotland, felt the incident should be revisited..

Beno?Baby, the 21-year-old Toulouse centre who performed so spectacularly in Dublin on his international debut, has been cited for butting Brian O’Driscoll at a ruck early in the second half and will answer to a disciplinary panel tomorrow. The Welsh have slight doubts over the fitness of two wings, Rhys Williams and Hal Luscombe.The French, quite brilliant in victory at Lansdowne Road last weekend, did feel able to name a squad for their final championship match in Rome, making just one change – William Servat, the hooker from Toulouse, replacing Dimitri Swarzewski after recovering from injury.They may yet find themselves making a second. The announcement was delayed for 24 hours, quite possibly as a result of Wilkinson’s injury, although it beggars belief that the world champions were even vaguely considering rushing him back after a single outing at club level. This much is certain: Martin Corry, a big success as captain against Italy, will shoulder the leadership duties again this weekend.Wales, chasing a first Grand Slam since the days of Gareth Edwards and Phil Bennett, were also preparing to reveal their hand for the climactic match with Ireland at the Millennium Stadium. The Lions will not tour New Zealand again until 2017, so unless something extraordinary happens on the orthopaedic front, Wilkinson will never have the opportunity to undertake the greatest rugby adventure of them all A tragedy? Hardly. Sad? Yes, and then some.England, reduced to a Six Nations sideshow for the first time since the mid-1980s, will today name their side for the Calcutta Cup match with Scotland at Twickenham on Saturday. “An injury is never good news,” Andrew added, “but this could have been so much worse There is some sense of relief.