The post-war years

The post-war years

Many people expected rationing to be lifted as soon as peace was declared, but it was nine years until the last ration book was issued. The interim period between 1945 and 1954 was one of gradual change as people adapted to a new and more exciting way of eating.

Tinned foods brought to Britain by troops from overseas (notably the USA) were popular with ordinary people who insisted that supplies of these foods continue. Tinned fruit, fish and meat were particularly in demand as they provided "fast food' for busy families.

Varieties of bread changed as more types of flour became available and meat became more plentiful when ex-soldiers returned to the farms to support stock breeding programs. Fats also returned to the shops and were snapped up by the deprived buyers.

Imported foods became available as soon as it was practicable to land cargoes in British ports. Importation was held up by the need to clear minefields from harbour approaches and restore cargo ports to full functionality.

All this took time and British people had to be patient until each phase of the carefully re-constructed food chain was put into place.

The post-war binge!

Most people who had accepted a diet governed by wartime rationing had looked forward to a time when sugar, meat and luxury goods would be freely available again. As soon as wartime restrictions were lifted people celebrated with good old fashioned self indulgence.

This over-indulgence was actually a lot worse for the country than rationing, for two main reasons: Although some rationing had been lifted there was still a post-war food shortage and nutritionists were beginning to recognize there could be a problem with over consumption as unhealthy foods appeared on shop shelves.

Cakes and were extremely popular immediately after the war and as soon as sugar and flour was more freely available many bakeries opened cake departments to cope with the added demand. Local bakeries also recognised an opportunity and, in the wake of troops returning from food conscious France, many specialist patisseries and cake shops appeared.

Advertising from 1955 shows a huge range of available foodstuffs

Meat went on the weekly menu as many times as a family could afford it. The extremely "fatty' minced beef hamburger – a legacy from British based WWII American servicemen – only became established in Britain post-war as the name had previously been seen as pro-German.

Traditionally cheaper dishes like shepherds pie and cottage pie were always in evidence and had originally been seen as a cost effective way to use up scraps and cheaper cuts of meat but these were now made with top quality mince, added butter in the potatoes and topped with grilled cheese. Cholesterol heaven.

Frozen foods, mass produced ice cream, ice lollies and ice cold drinks became popular as the cost of household appliances became cheaper. Refrigeration meant that food lasted longer so daily purchase of fresh produce was no longer required.

Intensive fertiliser fuelled "factory farming' ousted traditional chemical free agriculture in an effort to keep up with demand for low cost vegetable, meat and dairy produce. Local markets declined and supermarkets were born.

Consumed calories soared as people over-reacted to the years of rationing. Obesity in young children become evident as parents tried to "make up' for sugar rationing; while dentists saw a return to almost pre-war levels of tooth decay. Heart disease also increased as consumption of fats hit new heights.

By the late 1960s respectably affluent British people felt they were living well. For most ordinary people rationing was now just a memory.

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