As part of our #HealthyRhinos week we are working with Leeds Public Health to offer our fans advice on healthy lifestyles. Each day during Health Week we will take a look at ways to make positive choices to help you lead a healthy lifestyle. Today we look at advice on Healthy Eating.
Our Health Week will culminate with fans getting the opportunity to have a health check at the Rhinos' game against Hull KR this Friday 22nd May.
Why is it important to eat healthily?
Eating well is essential for good health and wellbeing and contributes to reducing the risk of conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke, some cancers and osteoporosis. Eating a good diet, with the right balance of foods, will help keep you healthy. You need to eat a range of foods to get all of the nutrients and fibre your body needs.
Key Messages
- Eat more fruit and vegetables – aim for at least five a day.
- Eat food high in fibre, such as wholegrain bread, beans, pulses and potatoes with the skins left on.
- Eat low-fat dairy products, such as semi-skimmed milk, low-fat cheese and yoghurt.
- Eat starchy foods, such as wholemeal rice, pasta and bread.
- The eatwell plate (below) shows proportionately how much food you should eat from each of the different groups to enjoy a balanced and healthy diet. You don't have to give up the less healthy foods you like, just adjust the amount of them you eat in proportion to the amount of healthy foods in your diet.
Top Tips for eating healthily
- Snack Swap: Try making small snack swaps. Many common snacks, such as sweets, chocolate, biscuits and crisps, are high in fat and sugar.
- Drinks Swap: Swap sugary fizzy drinks for sparkling water with a slice of lemon or a dash of fruit juice, or even ‘diet’ versions. Energy and sports drinks can also contain a lot of calories – check the label.
- Eat lots of fruit and vegetables, remember to try and have at least 5 portions of fruits and vegetables a day. Eat plenty of starchy foods, such as wholegrain bread, pasta, rice.
- Eat some protein rich foods, such as meat, fish, eggs and beans.
- Eat less processed meat, products i.e. burgers – replace this with lean meat with the skin and fat removed.
- Eat less food high in salt, such as crisps, processed foods, ready meals and sauces. Eat less sugary foods, such as fizzy drinks, sweets and biscuits. Eat less high-fat foods, such as cream, butter and cakes.
Resources
Change4Life – This site has loads of information on ways for families and individuals to eat healthier. You can register on the site to receive all sorts of promotion and support materials. www.nhs.uk/change4life
NHS Choices – Visit this website for lots of information on how to eat healthily. http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/healthy-eating/Pages/Healthyeating.aspx
Leeds Lets Change – This site has lots of local resources and information on local services www.leedsletschange.co.uk
Where to Go/ Who to Contact
Jamie Oliver’s Ministry of Food
Tel: 0113 242 5685
An 8 week cooking course teaching basic skills to help you prepare and cook healthy balanced meals. For online registration visit:
http://www.zesthealthforlife.org/MOFLeeds.html
Visit your GP
-If you are worried about your diet.
-Aged between 40-74? Receive your free NHS Healthcheck with the possibility of being referred onto the Healthy Lifestyle Service or other Specialist Services.