The 70s Diet with Josie Gibson | Preview (5)

This entertaining 2-part social experiment sees presenter Josie Gibson immerse herself in the food, drink and health culture of the 1970s, to discover if the average diet from what is often seen as one of the “unhealthiest” decades in British history, could have something to teach modern eaters.

For two weeks, Josie follows a bespoke 1970s diet, carefully designed by a nutritional expert, to reflect what the average person would have eaten in that decade. She’ll take a series of physiological tests before and after to see if the 70s diet and lifestyle can make her slimmer, fitter and healthier.

Josie Gibson has always struggled with her weight. She’s tried every diet going, but none of them have worked for long. Spurred on by a conversation with her Aunt Ginnie, who lived through the 1970s and believes ‘there wasn’t many big people’ back then, Josie wonders whether a 70s diet and lifestyle could make her slimmer, fitter and healthier.

To see if Ginnie’s hunch is right, Josie speaks to Dr Helen Lawal, a medical doctor and nutritionist, who confirms that obesity rates have grown significantly since the 70s. With the help of a government survey from 1974, she creates Josie a bespoke diet based on the average amount of calories an adult would have eaten 50 years ago and asks Josie to take six short, brisk walks a week to match the exercise levels of the 70s.

Before Josie’s regime begins, she takes a series of physiological tests, that will be repeated after the experiment to measure its impact. While her fitness levels are good, her weight is much higher than she’d like.

Fired up by these results, Josie kicks-off her diet and her step count with a trip to the local high street to stock up on provisions. Chatting to the grocer, baker and butcher she learns that cash-pressed 70s shoppers bought more seasonal veg, fresh bread and plenty of red meat, including cheap options like liver.

Next, Josie digs for her dinner at a Bristol allotment with site warden, Alan, to explore the grow-your-own movement, which boomed in the 70s to combat the cost of living.

Finally, after a week of home-made food, Josie samples her first convenience meal, an instant curry, before hitting the pub with Ginnie to sample some iconic 70s drinks. But, with seven days of the diet under her belt, Josie receives shocking news from Dr Helen which could throw the whole experiment up in the air.

The 70s Diet with Josie Gibson begins Wednesday 7th January on 5.