Healthy eating habits helps you stay healthy, and helps you manage and avoid a number of long term conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer, amongst other benefits.
Following a healthy diet can help you to keep a healthy weight, as well as helping you to feel your best. There's also good evidence that eating a healthy diet can reduce your risk of:
- obesity
- diabetes
- heart disease
- stroke
- osteoporosis
- some types of cancer
Even if you have a health condition, a healthy diet can benefit your health
Eating a well-balanced, healthy diet provides your body with the essential nutrients it needs to function on a daily basis. Healthy foods keep your brain active, provide you with energy and strengthen bones and muscles. Maintaining a healthy diet can also help you manage your weight, prevent chronic diseases and alleviate stress. The Eatwell guide provides information on the different food groups and portion sizes required for a healthy and balanced diet.
Useful links and resources
- NHS Choices
there is lots of useful information, apps and videos on a range of health topics - NHS Change4Life
contains some good apps including a sugar smart and smart recipe app, and you can also sign up for lots of free support, tips, ideas and recipes - NHS Start4Life
contains useful information about breastfeeding, early weaning and ensuring a healthy start to life - BDA food factsheets
for factsheets on healthy eating and nutrition