Eat Well

How healthy is your food?

What you eat, and how much, is so important for your health and your waistline. Choosing healthier foods is easier than you might think.

There are lots of cheap and tasty ways you and your family can eat well every day.

A diet based on starchy foods such as potatoes, bread, rice and pasta; with plenty of fruit and vegetables; some protein-rich foods such as meat, fish and lentils; some milk and dairy foods; and not too much fat, salt or sugar, will give you all the nutrients you need.

When it comes to a healthy diet, balance is the key to getting it right. This means eating a wide variety of foods in the right proportions, and consuming the right amount of food and drink to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.

Fruit and vegetables are part of a balanced diet and can help us stay healthy. That's why it's so important we eat enough of them.  Fruit and vegetables are a vital source of vitamins and minerals and fibre. People who eat at least five portions a day have a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, obesity and some cancers. It's advised that we eat at least five portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables each day. What's more, eating five portions is not as hard as it sounds.

There's lots of free support and information to help you Eat Well:

• Tameside Be Well Service – 0161 716 2000 or email bewelltameside@nhs.net
• www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Goodfood
• www.nhs.uk/oneyou/eating
• http://www.giveuplovingpop.org.uk/