Some healthy eating information

The Balance of Good Health

This was devised by the Foods Standards Agency and is based on the Governments Eight Guidelines for a healthy diet:-

1. Enjoy your food
2. Eat a variety of different foods
3. Eat the right amount to be a healthy weight
4. Eat plenty of foods rich in starch and fibre
5. Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables
6. Don’t eat too many foods that contain lots of fat
7. Don’t have sugary foods and drinks too often
8. If you drink alcohol, drink sensibly

The Balance of Good Health is based on the five food groups (see table opposite). The balance is difficult to achieve over one meal, but is achievable over a longer period of say a week or two. The idea is that we need to eat a range of foods to provide the nutrients we need.

5-A-Day

A major part of the work of our project has been to promote the 5-A-Day message. Fruit and vegetables are a key to a healthier lifestyle and are generally low fat, low calorie food. Eating lots of fruit and vegetables can help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight therefore reducing the risks of a range of health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, strokes and certain cancers.

Frozen, canned, 100% juice and dried fruit and vegetables all count towards 5 A Day. We should not become too concerned about portions as long as we include plenty of fruit and vegetables throughout the day. As a guideline, one portion is roughly:-

• 1 medium sized piece of fruit (apple, banana, pear)
• 1 handful of grapes or strawberries
• 3 tablespoons of peas or carrots
• 1 glass fruit juice (count once)
• 1 portion baked beans (count once)
• 1 small bowl of salad