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STUDENT HEALTH GUIDE
FUEL An active lifestyle and a healthy diet are key to a happy life and a great physique… hat you put into your body plays a huge part in your outward appearance, your mood, your mental health and how active you are. If you eat and drink well, you’ll be alert, focused and bursting with energy.
Source: The Mental Health Foundation
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Getting the balance right Forget faddy diets that ban certain foods, such as ‘no carbs before Marbs’ and Beyoncé’s maple-syrup diet. They may show results initially, but they’re not achievable in the long term. Instead, go for a healthy, balanced diet and reap these benefits… Control weight Variety is the spice of life, and a balanced diet certainly helps maintain a healthy weight. Eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day – they’re lowcal but high in nutrients. Combat diseases Eating a good range of vitamin
and mineral-packed foods helps prevent certain health conditions – such as heart disease and strokes – and also maintains your cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Boost energy By eating the right food in the right amounts, you’ll have more energy to exercise. This improves muscle strength, creates a toned physique and improves your endurance. Relationship between diet and mental health Whilst research is still being conducted, it’s heartening to hear that nearly two thirds of people who don’t report mental health problems eat fresh fruit and vegetables every day, compared to less than half of those with mental health issues. Whilst a change in diet is unlikely to cure mental health issues entirely, it’s certainly likely to have a positive effect.
CHECK THE LABEL ON PACKAGED FOODS Check the traffic light system when selecting packaged foods. The more green on the label, the healthier it is. Amber
means neither high nor low, but take care with lots of red, as these often contain the most sugar and fat.
Source: Public Health England in association with the Welsh government, Food Standards Scotland and the Food Standards Agency in NI.
