Eating well

Eating well

What you eat, and how much or little, is important for your health.

Eating well means having a wide variety of different foods in the right amounts.

The key recommendations for eating well are to:

• aim for at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables each day
• choose more wholegrain or higher fibre options
• swap red and processed meats for poultry, fish, beans and pulses
• avoid fatty, salty, and sugary foods and only eat them occasionally

Find out more about healthy eating recommendations on the NHS, British Heart Foundation and British Dietetics Association websites.

Concerned about your risk of developing type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is a condition that causes high blood-sugar levels.

Some risk factors of type 2 diabetes are:

• age
• family history of type 2 diabetes
• being from South Asian descent and African-Caribbean or Black African descent
• if you’ve ever had high blood pressure
• high waist measurement
• if you’re living with obesity, or are overweight

You can check your risk using the Diabetes UK risk score.

Diabetes UK have more information about the risk factors of type 2 diabetes.

The NHS have a range of information and support surrounding type 2 diabetes.

The National Diabetes Prevention Programme operates in Northamptonshire, through Living Well Taking Control. Your GP can refer you to the programme if they feel it is appropriate for you. You can check your risk of developing type 2 diabetes using their Know Your Risk Tool and follow their next steps based on your results.

Last updated 12 August 2024