Dietitians

Collage of imaages. First image features dietitian and patient. Second image is of selection of healthy food. Third image is a dietitian.

Top tips for a healthy lifestyle

Our dietitians have compiled their top tips to maintain a healthy lifestyle:

 

  • Eat at least five portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day.

 

  • Include starchy carbohydrates in each meal e.g. rice, potatoes, bread, pasta. Try to choose wholegrain options where possible.

 

  • Include dairy or dairy alternatives (e.g. soya) to provide calcium and other vitamins and minerals.

 

  • Include protein in your diet e.g. pulses, fish, eggs, meat, poultry and vegetarian alternatives (tofu, Quorn®).

 

  • Try to increase the amount of pulses (beans, peas and lentils). They are high in fibre and protein, as well as vitamins and minerals. These provide a good alternative to meat as they are low in fat.

 

  • Have two portions of fish per week, one of which should be oily (e.g. salmon, mackerel, herring).

 

  • Choose unsaturated (vegetable) oils and spreads such as olive or rapeseed oil, avocado, nuts and seeds. Be careful to ensure these are eaten in small amounts as they are very high in calories.

 

  • Drink approximately eight glasses of fluid a day. This can include water, low calorie squash, tea and coffee. If drinking fruit juice, limit it to 150ml maximum per day. Avoid drinks containing added sugar such as high juice, and non-diet versions of fizzy drinks.

 

  • Try to eat at regular mealtimes as this can help you to avoid feeling very hungry and overindulging or reaching for high fat or high sugar items.

 

  • Do not exceed 14 units of alcohol per week (for men and women) with at least two alcohol free days. Most alcoholic beverages are high in calories and contain no or minimal amounts of other nutrients.

 

  • 1 unit = 250ml 4% beer (half pint), 25ml 40% spirit, 76ml 13% wine.

 

  • Try and save alcohol for celebrations rather than regular drinking.