Steve Shaw: "By the way, catch up with recent medical opinion on cholesterol in the diet. Basically, we are worrying about nothing. The cholesterol level in our blood has little to do with cholesterol in the diet. Which isn't to say that we should be gorging on animal fats. Just that we have one less thing to worry about. Google!"

I don't know about needing to Google, but I do know my blood test results. After adopting a low-cholesterol diet for a number of months (under instruction from my Dr.) my cholesterol is down 27% from very high to average. Nothing much else has changed, though if I want to keep improving and not backslide I do need to make greater efforts in stuff like exercise and weight-loss (imposing moderate portion control/calorie deficits).

I'm surprised at how I no longer desire cheese. It used to be my 'pudding' of choice after a meal out, but after having stopped it for so long now, it no longer appeals at all. Either my tastebuds have changed or there's somehing in the theory that casein has 'moreish' addictive components.

I never put cheese on pasta dishes any more. It's either nutritional yeast (for savoury flavour), pangritatta for richness and texture or just a drizzle of EVOO and a sprinkle of sea salt for richness and flavour. The latter is actually my favourite option.