Eating well and moving more
Being a healthy weight, eating well and keeping moving can help us to live a happier, healthier, and longer life.
Why is it important to eat well and move more?
Its important to eat well for many reasons including maintaining a healthy weight, to help you feel good, to give you more energy and to help you lower your risk of developing some diseases and conditions.
Being active, is great for your mind and body. Physical activity doesn’t have to be organised sport, or going to the gym, it can be something as simple as housework, walking or gardening! The more you move the better you will feel.
Eating well
Making healthy choices in what you eat can help you to maintain a healthy weight. There are lots of tools, resources, and support services available to help you feel your best.
To stay at a healthy weight, you need to eat a diet that is balanced. The tools below can help you to do this:
- Top tips for healthy eating 8 tips for healthy eating - NHS.UK
- The Eatwell Guide shows how much of what we eat overall should come from each food group to achieve a healthy, balanced diet
- The Change4Life Food Scanner app can help you see how much sugar, salt and saturated fat is inside your food and drink
- Recipe ideas - NHS.UK
- Easy ways to eat well and move more - NHS.UK
- If you are pregnant or have a child under the age of 4 you might be eligible for Healthy Start vouchers - Get help to buy food and milk.
Moving more
However old you are, whatever your size or physical condition you will benefit mentally and physically from being more active or moving more. Even a little more is better than nothing! The benefits of being active physically include mental health benefits, longer life and reduction in development of or symptoms of some health conditions.
The tools below can help you to move more:
- Tips to get active - Get active - Better Health
- How much physical activity should you do? There are guidelines for different age groups which can be found at NHS.UK. Remember, if you aren’t doing any movement currently, a little is better than nothing!
- Exercise doesn’t have to be scary. Move more in your community! Find out more about community walking projects near you
- If you have an impairment, physical activity can still be built into your day by aiming for 20 minutes of physical activity a day. View Chief Medical Officers’ physical activity guidelines for disabled children and young people
- Get active whilst managing a health condition with the support of We Are Undefeatable.
Manage your weight
Sometimes it can be difficult to manage your weight alone. A range of services across Leicester support people to reach and manage a healthy weight. Please explore the links below to find the best fit for you.
- Live Well Leicester lifestyle hub services
- Local weight management services
- Specialist services for families and South Asian communities also operate. Please speak to your GP to see if you are eligible for a referral.