What are the right foods I need to eat to stay healthy?

Eating a balanced diet is one of the best ways to a healthy lifestyle.  Eating a load of junk food everyday (even if you do exercise) can still harm your body.  A balanced diet will keep you fit and your weight at a healthy level.  You don’t have to give up all your favourite foods in order to have a healthy diet, you just need to have a sensible balance of food types.

Here are a few top tips to make ensure that you're having a good mix of foods:

•    Eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day        
•  Base your meals on starchy foods like potatoes, brown rice and wholemeal bread     
•  Try to eat oily fish like mackerel, salmon or tuna twice a week 
•  Always go for low-fat cheese, milk and yoghurt 
•   Try and cut down the number high fat or high sugar snacks and drinks you have every week
•  Drink plenty of water - we should be drinking about 6 to 8 glasses (1.2 litres) of water, or other fluids every day.
  •  Try to eat less salt – no more than 6g a day. 
  •  Don’t skip breakfast

There's loads of help and advice available on healthy eating, the following websites and organisations can help:   

British Nutrition Foundation Check out this site for lots of information about nutrition and healthy eating.