Eat Well for Better Health

A healthy diet gives you the right kind of food to help you grow, have energy and be happy.

Crucial: If you are struggling to afford the right amount of food to eat, support is available. 

What is a healthy diet?

A healthy, balanced diet includes different types of food, like:

• Fruit or vegetables
• Starchy food
• Dairy products 

Part of growing up is learning how much food you need. It's different for everyone, and there are no rules that will work for everyone, all of the time.

Instant Expert: The Eatwell Guide shows how much of what we eat overall should come from each food group to achieve a healthy, balanced diet.

Tips for better eating

Part of growing up is learning how much food you need. It's different for everyone, and there are no rules that will work for everyone, all of the time.

But many people find these tips are useful:

• Eat five different portions of fruit or veg a day
• Make sure you get some protein every day
• Cut down on saturated fats and sugar

Good to know: The NHS have put together 8 tips for healthy eating to help you make healthier choices. 

Problems with eating and food

As people grow up it can be hard to judge how much food is too little or too much.

Eating too much of the wrong things can make you unhealthy. But so can eating too little, dieting, and thinking too much about food. 

You can also have problems from eating irregularly or following too many eating rules.

Crucial: If there is concern that someone may have an eating disorder, you can find out more from Oxfordshire CAMHS. 

Eating disorders can cause a person to be underweight or overweight. If you are concerned about your eating, talk to an adult you trust, such as a parent, carer, your school health nurse, or your GP.

Problems with affording food

For anyone who is struggling to afford enough to eat, support is available. 

Food can be provided by food banks and other services. For families help is available from your school and the Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) Programme during the holidays. 

For people living in their own households support is available via a variety of services, including Oxford Food Hub and Trussell Trust, amongst others.