Eating healthily is all
about balance. Every now and then it’s perfectly OK to have pie for dinner or a
nice slice of cake at teatime – treats are a part of life – but it's also
important to recognize when we're pushing things too far. Indulgent food should
be enjoyed and savored, but only occasionally – it's important to remember
that the majority of our diet should be made up of balanced, nutritious
everyday foods. Make healthy food a priority in your life and allow it to bring
your family and friends together. Learn to love how it makes you feel, how
delicious it is and remember that a healthy balanced diet and regular exercise
are the keys to a healthy lifestyle.
1. COOK FROM SCRATCH
This is one of the most
important life skills you can learn. It allows you to have complete control of
what goes into your food.
2. EAT A BALANCED DIET
Aim to eat a balanced
diet that contains each of the food groups in the correct proportions.
3. VARIETY IS KEY – EAT
THE RAINBOW
Fill your diet with a
wide range of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, fish, eggs, pulses, nuts, seeds,
whole grains and naturally low fat dairy foods. When it comes to fruit and veg,
different colors provide your body with the different nutrients it needs to
stay strong and healthy – it's not just greens that are good for you!
4. UNDERSTAND WHAT
YOU'RE EATING
Make an effort to learn
about the food you're eating – we all need to understand where food comes from
and how it affects our bodies.
5. EAT NUTRITIOUS
CALORIES
Make sure the majority
of your energy intake comes from nutritious calories that also provide your
body with nutrients like vitamins, minerals, protein, fibre and good fats.
Avoid empty calories.
6. DON'T SKIP BREAKFAST
Breakfast kick-starts
your metabolism and helps you to be alert and awake throughout the day. Make
sure you always eat a nutritious breakfast. Make it wholesome and make it
count.
7. READ THE SMALL PRINT
It's important to read
packaging correctly. Be aware of the recommended portion sizes, and the sugar,
salt and saturated fat contents. Remember that not all E-numbers are bad, but
too many is often a bad sign.
8. DRINK MORE WATER
Water is an essential
part of your diet. Drink plenty of water and avoid empty calories from things
such as fizzy drinks, energy drinks or juices with added sugar. Eat your
calories don't drink them.
9. KEEP ACTIVE
Exercise is an
extremely important factor in staying healthy so try to be as active as you
can.
10. SLEEP WELL
Make sure you get
enough sleep – it's an essential part of being healthy and directly affects how
well we are able to learn, grow and act in life. While we're asleep, our bodies
have that all-important time to repair.
