Food and Diet

If you want to look and feel great you need to think about your lifestyle. You need to eat a healthy balanced diet, take exercise, and cut out smoking and cut back on alcohol if you smoke or drink regularly. A healthy diet doesn't have to be dull and boring, and even occasional treats like chocolate and crisps are fine so long as your overall diet is well balanced.

The key to a healthy diet is simple...

• Enjoy your food.
• Eat a variety of foods each day from all the main food groups: fruit and vegetables; bread, cereals and potatoes; meat, fish and alternatives; milk and dairy; and foods containing fat or sugar - although not too much of these!
• Eat the right amount to be a healthy weight.
• Eat plenty of foods rich in starch and fibre (e.g. bread, pasta, rice, noodles, breakfast cereals).
• Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables (at least 5 helpings a day).
• Don't eat too many foods that contain a lot of fat.
• Don't have sugary foods and drinks too often.
• If you drink alcohol, drink sensibly.