Healthy Eating

Here is a useful guide on healthy eating that I came across on  www.netmums.com a very good site you should all take a look at.

Healthy Eating Guide

Healthy Eating Guide to switch to a healthier diet today!

Eating simple but good food will make you feel healthier and more alive. It will stop you feeling sluggish and bloated and end mood swings and sugar cravings. It will give you loads more energy, make your brain sharper, and the big bonus is that it will make your skin, hair and nails look better than any expensive product in a jar ever can. It's all about working from the inside out rather than just being superficial about it: it's a deeper health and beauty - and it's so simple. Just easy everyday stuff.

Quick tips to healthy eating

Use the at-a-glance Traffic Light Labelling Scheme to cut down on the fat, sugar and salt in your diet. This really is the quickest and easiest way to switch to healthy eating.

Healthy Eating Myths

Myth number 1: Healthy eating is expensive

We generally think that healthy food comes with a hefty price tag but this isn't the case. A recent survey found that there is little difference in the cost of a healthy shopping basket and an unhealthy one. It was found that a typical healthy basket costs an average £71.78 compared with £71.18 for an unhealthy one.

There is also research carried out by the National Consumers Council that shows that supermarket economy brands have more salt and fat and less meat content than non economy brands, making them not quite the good deal they appear to be.

Myth number 2: Healthy eating is time consuming 

It really isn't! You could get an omelette on the table in 15 minutes flat or salmon steaks, potatoes and broccoli in 25 minutes max.

Stock up on healthy snacks such as fresh nuts (for children over 5), dried fruit, fresh fruit or perhaps a rice cake topped with peanut butter or banana slices. It's tricky but try to get out of the habit of buying snacks like crisps, sweets and chocolates that are high in saturated fat, salt and sugar and low in nutrients.

Aim to cook more meals from scratch. Don't be too ambitious to start with as the change might be too much for you and your family. Perhaps try to introduce one extra home-cooked meal each week.

Don't skip breakfast ... ever. It doesn’t have to be large; it doesn’t have to be cooked; it doesn’t have to take more than a minute or two to prepare. All research shows that breakfast is a very important meal for adults and children alike and helps us all function better throughout the morning. A good breakfast will also help stop the urge to nibble and snack on less healthy items during the morning. Steer clear of sugary cereals, they won't keep your energy levels up for very long. Try out healthier options such as ...

Ø  Non sugary cereal topped with milk and sliced fresh fruit; slice of bread with butter and honey.

Ø  Boiled egg, slice of wholemeal bread, satsuma.

Ø  Yoghurt and fruit smoothy

Ø  Muesli (for children over five without nut allergy), fresh fruit, milk.

Ø  Yoghurt topped with fresh and dried fruit and a little oats or muesli.

Ø  Porridge with a little sugar and milk, fresh fruit.

Drink loads of water - The Food Standards Agency tell us that we need to drink 1.5 litres of water each day. It can stop you feeling hungry and energise you between meals. Avoid commercial drinks containing sugar, flavourings and colourings and opt for plain water or herbal teas for maximum benefit.
Eat loads of oily fish - and if that doesn't appeal then consider fish oils. Whilst there is no concrete scientific evidence yet, the amount of anecdotal evidence showing fish oils help concentration, learning and mood, continues to mount.
Consider buying local organic food from your local food suppliers
If you've got a fussy eater in the family, don't be tempted to buy in junk food because it is all they will accept - inevitably the whole family will end up on a highly processed diet.