Health blog series [6]: The benefits of good nutrition

Eating a healthy, balanced diet not only helps us look and feel good, but also provides us with the following benefits:

• increased energy and stamina

• improved sleep and concentration

• a positive impact on our mood and wellbeing

• helps us maintain a healthy body weight

• lowers risk of developing chronic health risks such as heart disease and cancer

But what makes a healthy diet?

You can argue that a healthy diet might be different for every individual due to sex, age, place of origin and more. Also living in another country we find different products to what we are used to in our home country. What is important is to have an understanding of some basic information and the The Eatwell Guide is the place to start as it divides the foods we eat and drink into five main food groups. Try to choose a variety of different foods from each of the groups to help you get the wide range of nutrients your body needs to stay healthy.

• Fruit and vegetables - Eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day.

• Potatoes, bread, rice, pasta and other starchy carbohydrates - Choose wholegrain or higher fibre versions with less added fat, salt and sugar.

• Oil & spreads - Choose unsaturated oils and use in small amounts.

• Dairy and alternatives - Choose lower fat and lower sugar options.

• Beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins - Eat more beans and pulses, two portions of sustainably sourced fish per week, one of which is oily. Eat less red and processed meat.

For more information, visit the NHS website on healthy eating but if you have any specific enquiries or leave a comment and we will get back to you.