How to eat healthily

You are what you eat!  What you put inside your body makes a huge difference to how you look and feel, so it makes sense to eat and drink what’s good for you.

We sometimes forget that food is fuel, so if we haven’t got much energy it can be because of what we have or haven’t eaten.  Our diet also provides us with the vitamins and minerals that affect our hair, skin and eyes – all the expensive shampoo and moisturiser in the world can’t beat the natural results of sensible eating!

Tips for a balanced diet

The basic food groups that we need for a healthy diet are carbohydrates, proteins, fats, fibre, minerals and vitamins.

Bread, rice, potatoes, pasta and other starchy food are the foods which give us our energy and our stamina. Higher fibre varieties – wholegrain breakfast cereals, wholemeal pasta and wholemeal or granary bread – contain more B vitamins, are best for digestion and keep you feeling fuller for longer, therefore reducing the likelihood of snacking.

Fruit and vegetables are our major source of vitamins, minerals and other antioxidants in our diet.  It’s also important to eat some good fats like nuts and seeds as well as giving yourself a boost of brain power with the omega 3 found in fish like salmon, cod and tuna.

Meat, fish, eggs and beans are the main sources of protein and iron in our diet, while milk and other dairy products are the best sources of calcium.

Of course, a little of what you fancy can do you good so give yourself treats in moderation – this will make you feel that you’re not depriving yourself of the finer things in life and will make you more likely to stick to a sensible diet.

Below are guidelines for daily amounts:

Useful Links

5 A DAY Meal Planner

Food and Diet

Teen Weightwise

Healthy Lunches

Eating Out

Recipes