What's important?

There is increasing evidence of the importance of eating a balanced diet and being mentally healthy – what we eat affects how we feel, how well we are able to learn, to make decisions and to get on with life.

The increase in many people’s diets of additives, food colourings and processed foods – alongside the general rush to eat meals, often whilst running between different activities – have all played a role in lots of people perhaps not eating as healthily as they should.

These changes in our diets have also been linked to some people experiencing mood changes, being irritable and being unable to concentrate.

Not enough time, too much stress?

Taking time for meals is very important.

When a person is stressed, their body may be unable to digest and absorb food properly. You need to be relaxed to eat properly – and it is important to eat at regular intervals to maintain your blood sugar levels – which in turn are important in giving you the energy you need for your daily life.

Not eating well or regularly can lead to a person feeling tired and lacking energy – which can lead to feeling stressed as they struggle to get through the things they need to do.

What to avoid?

Advice about a so-called healthy diet is often in the news these days.

Concerns about obesity, about poor levels of fitness and about the need to eat more fruit and vegetables (strongly linked to helping to prevent various cancers) are key messages of government health policy.

Some of the things to avoid include:

• Snacking on fast foods that tend to have high levels of salt and sugar
• relying on foods that give immediate but short bursts of energy and which don't contain the essential vitamins and minerals everyone needs
• not eating at regular intervals and skipping meals.

Tips for eating to stay physically and mentally healthy

• Make sure your diet has plenty of fruit and vegetables – the “five a day” rule
• Avoid processed food as much as possible
• Drink plenty of water
• Try to eat at least every 3-4 hours and don't skip breakfast
• Try to eat less salt
• Eat a variety of foods, including things from the different food groups and including fish on a regular basis

For more info:

www.5aday.nhs.uk: Practical advice on healthy eating and how to have a more active lifestyle.

www.nutrition.org.uk: Website of the British Nutrition Foundation with information specifically aimed at young people.

www.bhf.org.uk: The British Heart Foundation website provides range of information about eating healthily.

www.foodfitness.org.uk: Advice on how to eat well and have an active healthy lifestyle.

www.need2know.co.uk: Site includes sections on well-being, sexual health and keeping fit.

www.eatwell.gov.uk:Food advice specifically for teenagers.