Healthy Eating     

Healthy Eating

Eat a healthy well balanced diet rich in oily fish, chicken, fresh fruit, vegetables and healthy wholegrain.  Natural immune boosting foods include kiwi fruit, cabbage, and avocado and foods rich in vitamin B6 which helps to fight infection include banana, carrots, lentils, tuna, salmon, wholegrain flour and sunflower seed. A healthy diet contains:

  1. Plenty of starchy foods such as bread, rice, pasta, breakfast cereals, potatoes, yams and sweet potatoes - look for higher fibre versions where possible (eg wholemeal bread or pasta)
  2. At least five portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables daily
  3. Moderate amounts of dairy products (or alternatives) - look for low fat versions where possible
  4. Moderate amount of meat, fish or alternatives such as eggs, beans, peas and lentils - look for lower fat versions where possible
  5. The occasional treat (foods that are higher in fat, salt and/or added sugar should only be eaten in moderation)
  6. Little salt - always read the label

Fluids

Cut down on alcohol, coffee and fizzy drinks. We should be drinking between 2 to 3 litres of water per day and good health depends both on the quantity and quality of fluid in our body, herbal tea can also support health, eg:

  • Apple and ginger (aids liver function)
  • Celery Seed (lowers blood pressure)
  • Chamomile (aids sleep)
  • Lemon and ginger (aids liver function)
  • Fennel/Sage (cleansing, contains phyto-oestrogens – reduces hot flushes)
  • Echinacea (supports the immune system)
  • Green tea (supports the immune system)


For further information about the health benefits of tea, visit this website: www.tea.co.uk

Assess Your Eating Habits

Most years Health and Safety Services run a Weight Loss Challenge in January to raise money for Ty Gobaith Children's Hospice, look out for details if you're interested in joining in.

In the meantime, NHS Choices has a weight loss guide to help you develop healthier eating habits and get more active. Find out how simple changes to your lifestyle can help you achieve a healthy weight with healthy recipe ideas for meals low in fat, saturated fat, sugar and salt but high in taste and what you can do to give your metabolism a boost to help you lose weight.

For further information visit the Live Well website: http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/loseweight/Pages/Loseweighthome.aspx

Support for eating disorders sufferers

BEAT - www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk

Community Adult Eating Disorder Service - 01248 682610