Healthy Eating

From the ground or the grocery store to the table and the plate, food should be fun! Healthy eating can involve the whole family and whaanau – in the garden, at the supermarket or helping prepare delicious dishes in the kitchen.

To help kickstart your family’s healthy eating journey, we’ve put together some top tips:

• Don’t skip breakfast - This meal helps the body prepare for the day ahead
• 5 + A Day – You know what they say… eat at least five servings of fruit and vegetables every day
• Go fish – Fish, such as salmon, sardines and tuna, can be eaten at least twice a week
• Trim the fat – Use lean meats, avoid frying food and beware of high-fat foods such as chips, cakes and sausages
• Ditch the sugar – It rots your teeth and can lead to weight gain. Try sugarfree or diet products instead
• Watch your portion size – Eat the right amount to be a healthy weight. Not too much, not too little
• Wonderful water – Drink tap water, not sugary drinks, when you feel thirsty. It’s healthy, delicious and free!
• A pinch of salt – Avoid adding too much salt to dishes when you’re cooking or eating meals. Many foods we eat already contain a lot of salt
• Breast is best – Fully breastfeed babies until they are around six months old

Need more ideas? Check out our cookbooks, tips on breastfeeding and advice on growing your own fruit and vegetables.

If you are concerned about your weight, talk to your doctor or nurse.

	Are you looking for tasty and healthy food ideas? Visit Breakfast Eaters or Feeding Our Families for lots of easy, fast and low-cost options. Free print resources are also available such as healthy breakfast ideas for children, healthy snacking for children and ideas for encouraging children to eat more vegetables.