1. Do you eat the recommended 3 daily portions of wholegrains? They are packed with fibre, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and can help reduce your risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer. Wholegrains can also assist in weight control too by filling you up. Wholegrains are unrefined cereal grains, such as oats, wholemeal bread, brown rice and wholewheat pasta.
2. Fizzy, sugary drinks aren’t just bad for our waistline and teeth. Experts now believe they can increase your risk of heart disease – and with as little as one drink a day. As heart disease is still the UK’s biggest killer, cut out the sugar and the fizz and head towards a longer, healthier life.
3. Love nuts but fancy something different? Try nut butters instead. There is much more to nut butters than your standard peanut butter – try the much more glamorous-sounding almond or cashew nut butters instead. They are great spread on toast or crackers and are a great source of Vitamin E, which is good for your skin. They are available in your local health food shop or some supermarkets.
4. The average meal time for British families lasts less than 15 minutes, according to a recent study. Eating slowly and thoroughly chewing your food allows enough time for your stomach to signal to your brain that it is full and will help avoid overeating. It’s also better for your digestion too.
5. Eat a rainbow of different coloured foods each day. Brightly coloured fruit and veg are rich in antioxidants that give them their specific colour, so it is good to eat a variety of different colours each day. Antioxidants can slow down the aging process and protect us against diseases, such as cancer. And the different colours look much more appetising too.
