Rationing with the Radio Doctor

When food rationing began in Britain, civilians had to quickly learn how to create satisfying meals with scarcely any sugar or cooking fats. Meats were also rationed and many canned goods were no longer available, or were stocked sporadically.

The government worked hard to get nutritional information, recipes, seeds (for Victory Gardens) and gardening supplies to everyone. Entire sections of government focused on ensuring people at home had everything they needed to not only survive, but stay healthy! This was critical—those not serving in the military had to keep every facet of the country running at home. There was a mind-boggling amount of extra war work on top of normal duties.

Origin of the Radio Doctor

One way the government supported folks at home was through a radio program called Kitchen Front that was broadcast each Friday morning beginning in 1942. Dr. Charles Hill (Baron Hill of Luton) was chosen to do these live broadcasts. He was not able to broadcast under his own name because of rules about members of the medical profession advertising, so he was only known as “The Radio Doctor.”

Even though his name was never given on the program, he became famous for his down-to-earth and often humorous advice on wartime diet and how to stay healthy.

Fifteen of Dr. Hill’s broadcasts have been recorded in the tiny volume Wise Eating in Wartime. In this delightful book, Dr. Hill tells “how we can make the most of our rations, and keep our bodies tuned up to concert pitch by eating sensible, balanced meals.” His talks include “Fat Fish and Lean Fish,” “What can we do with Milk?,” “Soft drinks and Hard Drinks” and “How to Feed a Fever.”

Dr. Hill’s talks include some wry humor and make for an enjoyable read. The book is available through the Imperial War Museums and offers a wonderful view into the world of those who were not too far before our time, and how they met the challenges of their day.

REFERENCES

Ministry of Information. Wise Eating in Wartime: from the Ministry of Food’s KITCHEN FRONT BROADCASTS. London: Imperial War Museums, 2007.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.

Psalm 23:1-3a