In a flap
Lamb flap: an off-cut of meat, generally mutton, containing on average 30% fat (sometimes up to 50%) used as a cheap meat source or pet food.
It’s all well and good to say that an average rural PNG diet is lacking protein and that imported lamb flaps from NZ or Australia and satiating this ‘nutritional’ need. But why is it now then, that PNG is facing an epidemic of diabetes and heart disease?
Lifestyle diseases in a developing country... Who would’ve thought?
Sure, imported lamb flaps needn’t take all the blame, processed canned meat is just a bad. I think they call it ‘Chum’ or ‘Whiskas’ in Australia? Which yes, is edible but certainly not a replacement for a balanced diet.
Lamb flaps are synonymous with ‘kai bars’ (corner deli’s or food bars) in many places in PNG. Luckily they don’t seem to be as available out on the islands. Or they disguise it well in thick MSG gravy. Don't worry I haven't succumbed to the gloriousness that is the 'lamb flap' but I have been known to indulge in a flour ball once before. Yep, deep-fried flour. ‘Em tasol’ – that’s it. Most of the ladies in the office call this lunch. Of course alongside a can of locally-made (which equates to higher sugar) soft drink. Apparently PNG makes the best Coca Cola. Something about the natural spring water they use? Bulldust. They just add more sugar.
Although the fresh produce markets would be easily best in the world, it doesn't compare to the vast and over-whelming range of ridiculously cheap, high fat, low nutrition *insert ubiquitous Asian brand* crisps, biscuits and general 'staple' food. I have managed to find only one (out of dozens) locally-made product that is wholemeal. Let alone of the imports. Definitely no wholemeal there.
You’d be hard pressed to find a nutritional chart on the back of most supermarket food here, so it’s difficult to explain that high fat, high salt, high sugar foods are not particularly good for you. How does one know if they’ve never been told?
Soft drink in place of water, flour balls in place of vegetables, icecream in place of fruit (no problems with calcium deficiency here...one plus) and lamb flaps in place of home-grown chicken or pork.
During ‘coffee time’ us ladies sit around in the office and share food ideas and recipes. Me learning how to ‘mu-mu’ or cook underground (traditional cooking method that has been displaced by ‘fast food’) and me telling them about what foods are good for you and what ones to avoid.
Often it’s simple things like steaming or boiling vegetables is better than frying them in litres of palm oil or soaking all their food in coconut milk. Don’t take all 24 of your antibiotics to treat your malaria in one go. Drink water instead of soft drink, beer or jungle juice (highly, highly potent home-made alcohol). Only ONE teaspoon of sugar in your coffee. Chew less buai (betelnut).
Don't even get me started about trying to explain toothbrushes...
http://tvnz.co.nz/health-news/flap-over-fatty-hunks-lamb-2591099
http://epress.anu.edu.au/food_agriculture/pdf/20myths.pdf
http://www.islandsbusiness.com/islands_business/index_dynamic/containerNameToReplace=MiddleMiddle/focusModuleID=19369/overideSkinName=issueArticle-full.tpl
Lesson 26: DON’T chew the fat, unless you’re chewing fat about fat.
It’s all well and good to say that an average rural PNG diet is lacking protein and that imported lamb flaps from NZ or Australia and satiating this ‘nutritional’ need. But why is it now then, that PNG is facing an epidemic of diabetes and heart disease?
Lifestyle diseases in a developing country... Who would’ve thought?
Sure, imported lamb flaps needn’t take all the blame, processed canned meat is just a bad. I think they call it ‘Chum’ or ‘Whiskas’ in Australia? Which yes, is edible but certainly not a replacement for a balanced diet.
Lamb flaps are synonymous with ‘kai bars’ (corner deli’s or food bars) in many places in PNG. Luckily they don’t seem to be as available out on the islands. Or they disguise it well in thick MSG gravy. Don't worry I haven't succumbed to the gloriousness that is the 'lamb flap' but I have been known to indulge in a flour ball once before. Yep, deep-fried flour. ‘Em tasol’ – that’s it. Most of the ladies in the office call this lunch. Of course alongside a can of locally-made (which equates to higher sugar) soft drink. Apparently PNG makes the best Coca Cola. Something about the natural spring water they use? Bulldust. They just add more sugar.
Although the fresh produce markets would be easily best in the world, it doesn't compare to the vast and over-whelming range of ridiculously cheap, high fat, low nutrition *insert ubiquitous Asian brand* crisps, biscuits and general 'staple' food. I have managed to find only one (out of dozens) locally-made product that is wholemeal. Let alone of the imports. Definitely no wholemeal there.
You’d be hard pressed to find a nutritional chart on the back of most supermarket food here, so it’s difficult to explain that high fat, high salt, high sugar foods are not particularly good for you. How does one know if they’ve never been told?
Soft drink in place of water, flour balls in place of vegetables, icecream in place of fruit (no problems with calcium deficiency here...one plus) and lamb flaps in place of home-grown chicken or pork.
During ‘coffee time’ us ladies sit around in the office and share food ideas and recipes. Me learning how to ‘mu-mu’ or cook underground (traditional cooking method that has been displaced by ‘fast food’) and me telling them about what foods are good for you and what ones to avoid.
Often it’s simple things like steaming or boiling vegetables is better than frying them in litres of palm oil or soaking all their food in coconut milk. Don’t take all 24 of your antibiotics to treat your malaria in one go. Drink water instead of soft drink, beer or jungle juice (highly, highly potent home-made alcohol). Only ONE teaspoon of sugar in your coffee. Chew less buai (betelnut).
Don't even get me started about trying to explain toothbrushes...
http://tvnz.co.nz/health-news/flap-over-fatty-hunks-lamb-2591099
http://epress.anu.edu.au/food_agriculture/pdf/20myths.pdf
http://www.islandsbusiness.com/islands_business/index_dynamic/containerNameToReplace=MiddleMiddle/focusModuleID=19369/overideSkinName=issueArticle-full.tpl
Lesson 26: DON’T chew the fat, unless you’re chewing fat about fat.
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