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Friday, 21 November 2008

Health and well-being

Health and well-being

Healthy eating

Eating healthily is not hard to do and the benefits are well worth the effort.

Why is healthy eating important?

In adults, healthy eating can help you manage your weight and will improve your overall feeling of well-being. It can also reduce your risk of developing illness and serious disease.

For children, the right balance of foods will give them all the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development. It also helps to educate them to eat healthily and can reduce the risk of serious diseases later in life.

What is a healthy diet?

A healthy diet contains:

  • plenty of starchy foods like bread, rice, pasta, breakfast cereals, potatoes, yams and sweet potatoes - look for higher fibre versions where possible (like wholemeal bread or pasta)
  • at least five portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables daily
  • moderate amounts of dairy products (or alternatives) - look for low fat versions where possible
  • moderate amount of meat, fish or alternatives like eggs, beans, peas and lentils - look for lower fat versions where possible
  • the occasional treat (foods that are higher in fat, salt or added sugar should only be eaten in moderation)
  • little salt - always read the label

You can take a quiz on NHS Choices to find out whether you're a healthy eater or could improve your diet.

Healthy diets for babies and children

Eating healthily yourself is one of the best ways to encourage your child to develop healthy eating habits.

Healthy eating needn't be expensive. In fact, basing meals on starchy foods and fruit and vegetables, and aiming to eat less fat, salt and added sugar, can actually work out cheaper.

Babies and children under five have different diet requirements. For more information follow the links below.

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