Eat well

We all know that ‘you are what you eat’, but in the busy world we live in it’s easy to eat too much of the wrong foods because they are convenient and often seem to be cheaper.

But a healthy balanced diet can be enjoyable – as well as cheap and easy – and you just have to try it to see and feel the difference.

The important things to remember are eating the right amount of food for how active you are and eating a range of foods to make sure you're getting a balanced diet.

• Base your meals on starchy foods such as wholemeal bread and wholegrain cereals.
• Eat lots of fruit and vegetables.
• Include protein-rich foods such as meat, fish, eggs and lentils.
• Milk and other dairy products are important to keep up calcium levels.
• Cut down on saturated fat and sugar.
• Try to eat less salt - no more than 6g a day.
• Drink plenty of water – at least 6-8 glasses per day.
• Don't skip breakfast.

Get active

You only have one body. Remember that how you treat it will make a big difference to how you look and feel both today and in the future. Be good to yourself, you’re worth it.

Exercise reduces stress, and young people who are active say that physical activity helps them unwind and feel more energetic.

Exercise can help you meet up with old friends and make new ones.

It is possible to get active without spending loads of money on gym membership. There are lots of clubs and classes you can join if you want to exercise with other people, e.g. football, badminton, squash, aerobics, or yoga. But you don’t need to join a special club; you can try walking, running, cycling, or swimming. The important thing to remember is – have fun!

Useful websites