General Tips

Eat a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruit, vegetables and starchy foods.

Try loads of new foods and try different sorts of food. That way you get to discover new things you like and get all the nutrition and goodness you need.

Milk, cheese, yogurt, soya, tofu and nuts contain calcium, which is good for your bones and teeth.

Don't put loads of salt on your food. You need only a little salt every day, and too much can be bad for you.

Get some exercise every day. Play a sport or go for a walk. It burns up energy ( including fat stored in your body), makes you feel hungry and is good for you all round

Plenty of starchy foods, such as cereals, bread, pasta, potatoes and rice will give you energy. You don't need sugars for energy.

Fatty and sugary foods are fine in *small amounts*. Have a biscuit or a slice of cake as a treat, but eat fruit too.

Instead of putting sweets in your pocket why not try dried banana chips, raisins, nuts or dried fruit. It tastes really good and it's much better for you than a solid chunk of sugar on a stick!

Instead of fizzy drinks loaded with sugars and chemicals try water or fruit smoothies if you are at home, and fruit juice when you are out and about.

Never skip breakfast. It gives you energy for the day and your body actually needs it. Missing breakfast *does not* help you to loose weight.

Drink plenty of water every day.

Eat what you need to eat - and then stop. Eating too much is bad for you, can make you put on weight, and leave you feeling and not wanting to do anything.

Grill or oven bake fatty foods like burgers rather than frying them. That way they loose fat rather than gaining it.

Cut down on the sugar that you put on breakfast cereals, and try adding sweet fruits such as banana slices instead.

Brown is usually better for you than white so, when you can, go for brown bread, brown sugar and brown rice rather than the white versions, and try whole wheat pasta.

Cook your own food.That way you know exactly what is in it!