11 Dec 2018

Nutritional trailblazer Dr Muriel Bell

From Nine To Noon, 11:26 am on 11 December 2018
Dr Muriel Bell

Dr Muriel Bell Photo: S14-589c Margaret Madill papers, r.6653. Hocken Collections, Uare Taoka o Hakena, University of Otago.

The life of  Dr Muriel Bell, NZ's first state nutritionist was behind ground-breaking public health schemes such as milk in schools, iodised salt and water fluoridation. 

Her nutritional advice - which sounds like common sense to us today was revolutionary at the time. Yes, you've guessed it  -  eat more fruit, vegetables and milk products and cut down on sugar, fat and meat. 

Kathryn Ryan talks to Diana Brown who has just written Dr Bell's autobiography, The Unconventional Career of Dr Muriel Bell.