Eating breakfast cereal may lower the risk of stomach cancer. Research based on more than 4000 people from ten countries, including that the UK’s National Institute of Public health, shows that cereal fibre from grains is protective against the disease.

The men and women in the study were monitored for an average of seven years and during that period those who ate the most fibre cereal were at significantly lower risk. Just how fibre could be protective is not clear but one theory is that it can neutralise carcinogens.

A recent study in Diabetes Care shows that stress changes the body in a way that causes weight gain. Researchers followed 432 women for 15 years. Those who frequently felt angry, depressed or stressed were nearly twice as likely to suffer from metabolic syndrome, a condition in which the body stores fat around the waist increasing the risk of diabetes and heart disease.

Experts say that negative emotions can trigger an elevated heart rate and higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which can lead to overeating and a slower metabolism. If you would like to read more on this see my book ‘Fat around the Middle’.

According to a recent survey a number of supposedly healthy products had more hidden salt than a burger and fries. For example, one noodle salad had 4.4g of salt in a single portion – 73% of an adult’s recommended daily salt limit.

Some McDonald’s salads were saltier than their Big Mac and small French fries meal, according to Consensus Action on Salt and Health (Cash) which did the survey. Cash says some salads sold in coffee shops and supermarkets should carry health warnings rather than be thought of as healthy options.

As you read earlier, eating too much salt can raise blood pressure which in turn increases the risk of strokes and heart disease, according to the Food Standards Agency. The food watchdog says adults should eat no more than 6g of salt per day but the Cash survey of 156 ready-made salads and pasta bowls bought from high street outlets found 19% contained more than one third of the 6g daily limit. An EAT Thai noodle salad had 4.4g salt per portion – 73% of an adult’s recommended daily intake.

Although salads and pasta dishes are healthy lunchtime options, you need to be careful about the sauces and salt that have been used. It’s easy to assume that something like a salad will be full of goodness – but this report goes to show that the name of a food product doesn’t always mean it’s a healthy food choice.