Tips for healthy eating

There are lots of ways in which you can choose to change your diet so that you are eating healthier foods. We've provided some healthy eating guidelines and our healthy eating quiz will show you how balanced your diet is.

Here are some extra tips to help you make changes to your eating habits that you can stick to. This is important to help you maintain healthy eating in the long run.

Eating a more healthy, balanced diet will no doubt be beneficial to your own health and wellbeing.

You'll discover new, exciting foods and healthier cooking methods. You may also find it's easier to make small changes than you think. 

Help to change your eating habits

One step at a time

Start with one small change first and make sure you can achieve that. Then build up to make more changes.

For example, focus first on one food group, such as fruit and vegetables. Think about how you can improve your intake.

Then once you're happy with what and how you are eating, you can move on to thinking about another food group.

Portion sizes

Knowing how much you should eat of certain foods, or the correct portion sizes, is a key to success. It's as important as knowing what types of foods you should be eating.

Learn more about the right healthy portion sizes for you.

Eat breakfast

Some people skip breakfast. But if you don't eat a healthy breakfast you'll be missing out on important nutrients and fibre.

Eating breakfast also means you're more likely to feel full and avoid eating unhealthy snacks later to fill yourself up.

If you're struggling for new breakfast ideas see our recipes. Having a list of healthier food swaps can also help you make better food choices.

Cooking methods

Think about how you're cooking your food. Sometimes the way we cook can make food more unhealthy and take away some of the health benefits you might get. 

For example, trying steaming your vegetables rather than boiling them.

See some more cooking tips.

Food labels

Food labels provide nutritional information about the food you buy. But it can be tricky to know exactly what you need to look for on the label.

Find out how to read them to make healthier food choices.

Drink plenty of water

Staying hydrated by drinking enough water is essential for your health and for the body to work properly. It also helps you to get all the benefits from a healthy diet.

Water can help digest food and transport nutrients around your body.

Know your fats

Did you know there are several different types of fats and some are healthier than others?

Find out more about ways to cut down on unhealthy, saturated fats.

Meal planning

Planning meals in advance ensures you have healthy options available at meal times. It also means you're less likely to make unhealthy, impulsive food choices.

Our healthy menu ideas can show you what a day's healthy eating can look like.

Having a list of healthier food swaps can also help you make better food choices.

Manage cravings

Overcoming cravings to eat unhealthily is one of the hardest parts of trying to improve your diet.

and some ideas for managing these effectively.

Having a list of healthier food swaps can help you make better food choices.

Manage slip-ups

It's common to have a 'slip-up' where you may eat a food that you've been trying to avoid. A biscuit for example.

While having a slip up can feel disappointing, it doesn't mean you've 'ruined' your diet and are back to square one.

It's just a small slip-up and if you do have one, try and get back on track as soon as you can. Even if you have eaten something unhealthy today, you can start afresh tomorrow.

See some more tips on how to manage a slip-up.

Watch out for hidden offenders

Some foods can contain hidden amounts of fats, sugars and salt, so you might be eating more of these than you realise.

Find out more about hidden offenders