Healthy eating

balance programme for residents at risk of or having suffered a fall. Sessions will be held at a leisure centre, offering a fixed number of group sessions with falls prevention education and strength and balance exercise. For more information, email

active.lifestyles@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

Active Luton

Active Luton is a not-for-profit trust operating a variety of sports and leisure facilities in Luton. It is responsible for developing sport and has a key role in helping to improve the health and wellbeing of residents within the local community.

Active Luton operates seven leisure and activity centres, including Inspire: Luton Sports Village, Lewsey Sports Park, a golf course, an athletics centre and an outdoor education facility.

It also operates GP referral and supports carers through a Carers Card. The card gives discounted access for carers, with special offers for young carers, and free entry for carers accompanying the person they care for to any activity.

Total Wellbeing Luton

This is the town’s free service promoting and supporting healthy lifestyles. It provides information on stopping smoking, health checks, losing weight and emotional health.

Tel: 0300 555 4152 Email: info@totalwellbeingluton.org Web: www.totalwellbeingluton.org

Useful websites Better Health – Healthier Families

Web: www.nhs.uk/healthier-families

Walking for health

Web: www.walkingforhealth.org.uk

Walk4life

Web: www.walk4life.info

A healthy balanced diet and having regular eating times will help you keep track of what you eat. Don’t skip breakfast. Breakfast gives you the energy you need to face the day along with some of the vitamins and minerals needed for good health. You may also find it useful to:

• reduce your fat intake by choosing lean cuts of meat and trimming any visible fat, measuring oil rather than pouring it, and finding an alternative to frying and roasting foods;

• cut down on sugar by using the labelling system to check that you’re not having too much sugar; and

• cut down on salt by trying to eat high-salt foods only occasionally, or in small amounts.

Reading the labels will make it easier to make healthy choices. The red, amber and green labelling system shows you where the fat, sugar or salt is too high – red. You can then make a choice to change to something which is lower – green/amber. A small change can make a big difference. Aim to have five portions of fruit and vegetables every day:

• try fruit sliced over cereal for breakfast; • snack on fruit mid-morning or mid-afternoon; • put some extra vegetables, beans or lentils in your casseroles and stews (and less meat); • stock up on frozen vegetables for easy cooking; and • remember – a third of your lunch and your dinner plate should be vegetables or salad.

Remember to drink enough fluid during the day. The average fluid intake for an adult is approximately eight-ten cups a day. This could be water, fruit juice, tea, coffee or milk.