The Healthiest Meal Ever (According to Some Scientists)

A group of British food researchers have chosen what they believe to be the healthiest meal ever. It's based around several proven "superfoods" and the researchers say it's delicious as well as good-for-you!

The Leatherhead Food Research organization looked at over 4000 health-boosting claims used by food manufacturers and their marketing teams. Of those only 222 were considered to be based on real scientific evidence. Omega 3 fatty acids (found in fish and seafood) and whole grains were two well-known foods that made the cut.

The "healthiest" meal according to the Leatherhead geeks starts off with fresh and smoked salmon terrine and includes a mixed leaf salad with extra virgin olive oil dressing. The health main meal is chicken casserole with lentils and mixed vegetables. Desert is a "live yogurt" blancmange that includes fresh walnuts and a no-sugar caramel sauce topping.

A Glucomannan and berry-based shake was touted as the ideal meal replacement for dieters. Hot chocolate was also recommended because of the health-boosting properties of cacao. For some reason the scientists also included a special sports drink packed with micro-nutrients like selenium and magnesium.

According to top researcher Dr Paul Berryman:

"We have also shown that healthy foods do not have to be dull... We carry out thousands of consumer taste tests a year and one thing is clear. No matter how healthy, if foods do not taste good they will not sell."

We say: We're not so sure about the conclusions of these food geeks. The real healthiest meal ever would almost definitely be a paleo diet meal based around natural proteins and low-glycemic vegetables!

Learn some mo': Healthiest meal ever: After editing thousands of claims, scientists serve up a superdish