Active Nutrition

Eating a healthy, balanced diet is an important part of achieving good health. 

Active Tamworth has some top tips to get you started.

Useful links

Change for Life website
DrinkAware's Unit and Calorie Counter
NHS Calorie Checker
The British Nutrition Foundation website

Eat lots of fruit and vegetables

It is recommended to eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. This could take the form of a glass of orange juice or some of your vegetables in your dinner.

Protein

Protein helps you stay fuller for longer. Fish is a good source of protein and contains many vitamins and minerals. Oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, fresh tuna and sardines are high in omega-3 which helps to prevent heart disease. Try and eat two portions of fish per week. Other forms of protein include eggs, which you could have at breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Eat less salt

75% of the salt we eat is already in the food we buy. Breakfast cereals, soups, breads and sauces are all high in salt. Eating too much salt can lead to high blood pressure and can cause you to develop heart disease or have a stroke. 

Cut down on saturated fat and sugar

Fat is needed ibn our diets, but it is important to pay attention to the amount and type of fat you eat. There is saturated and unsaturated fat. Saturated fat is commonly found in cheese, cakes, biscuits, sausages, cream, lard, butter and pies. Too much saturated fat can increase the amount of cholesterol in the blood which increases your risk of heart disease.

Try and cut down on sugary drinks, alcohol, cakes, biscuits and pastries. They contain added sugars. Natural sugars are found naturally in foods like fruit and milk.

Eat your breakfast

Research shows eating breakfast can help people control your weight. It helps to kick off your metabolism for the day. A healthy breakfast is an important part of a balanced diet and provides some of the vitamins and minerals vital to good health.