The foods we eat should provide us with the essential nutrients that we need to do, well, just about everything, from walking around, to concentrating on schoolwork or the book you are reading, to playing a game of football. Our modern diet has been linked to a number of health problems such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity, to name a few, but by making healthier choices it may be possible to avoid or delay the effects of the modern diet.
Eating in a healthy, balanced way can make you feel healthier and happier. Over the course of the day meals should contain a variety of foods, including carbohydrates (starchy food) like rice, pasta, bread and cereals; at least five portions of fruit and vegetables; protein foods like meat, eggs, fish, beans or pulses; and dairy foods like milk and cheese. Food and drinks containing fats and sugars should be eaten only occasionally.
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To ensure that you and your family are healthy and happy, look at the '8 tips for eating well' and the Eatwell website, produced by the Food Standards Agency or the 5-a-day website. And, don't forget to consider your activity levels.
Sometimes choosing the best foods can be confusing. Supermarkets offer us many choices when shopping, and with people working longer hours, sometimes ready meals and fast foods seem the quickest and easiest option. It is ok to eat these occasionally, but as they are often high in fats, sugars and salt we should be careful not to have them on a regular basis.
For quick and healthy recipes, check websites such as Eatwell or Helpguide.
If you are confused about the healthy eating message, read through our 'Food Myths' which might answer some of your questions about healthy eating.
Although we need to eat to live, it is also important to enjoy food. Food tastes good but food is also part of our social fabric...eating and cooking have been at the heart of the home and social life for years and years. Food also carries with it many traditions: it is used to celebrate special occasions and as a symbol of our cultural ties. It is not necessary to stop eating your usual foods, just think about making some healthier choices, concerning cooking methods or portion sizes.
The Food Partnership delivers a range of programmes to promote children's health, weight managment for adults, and cookery skills. Please browse the pages on the left-hand menu for more information.