Eat and Drink Well

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Making healthy food and drink choices can have positive effects on how we feel, our energy levels and our risk of developing disease.  Small steps can make a big difference.

What does healthy eating and drinking look like?

  • Eat more fruit and vegetables
  • Eat a variety of foods from the five food groups. The five food groups are bread and cereals, fruit, vegetables, dairy or dairy alternatives, and meat or meat alternatives and legumes
  • Limit ‘sometimes’ foods – those high in sugar, salt and fat
  • Choose water as a drink

Lunchboxes

Packing a healthy lunchbox for work or school gives you and your child fuel to work, play and learn. Here are our top lunchbox tips:

  • Pack foods from each of the 5 food groups
  • Get your kids involved in choosing, cooking and packing lunchbox foods as they will be more likely to eat it
  • Avoid lunchbox treats such as chocolate, lollies, chips, biscuits and cakes
  • Make use of your freezer: fritters and pikelets are examples of easy to grab and pack foods
  • Don’t pack too much as children can get overwhelmed with too many choices
  • Buy in bulk and prepare snacks for the week. Cheese and crackers, Crunch & Sip snacks and yoghurt are all easy to prepare on a weekend to have ready for the week.

Healthy Local Food

Locally grown food can be fresher, does not generate extra cost and carbon emissions from transportation and supports and secures local farmers and the local economy. Promoting a local food supply is an indirect way of promoting healthy food and making healthy food more affordable.

So, why not shop and grow local?

Get Healthy Coaching Service

Get Healthy is a FREE telephone based health coaching service to help provide you with the support and motivation you need to reach your own healthy lifestyle goals. It offers free nutritional and exercise advice. You can also sign up for the free coaching sessions over the course of 10 phone calls over six months to help keep you motivated. The program is available to people over the age of 18 who are NSW residents.

Visit the Get Healthy website to register or to find out more.

Drinking water

Water is an essential part of a healthy diet because, your body relies on water to function properly.  If you are out and about  in Ballina, Casino, Kyogle or Lismore and need to find your nearest drinking water then this map, developed as part of student research project, can guide you to your nearest public water outlet.

Visit healthdirect for more information on why water is important and how much to drink.

More information

Check out our great range of resources for parents wanting to ensure their kids are eating healthy, nutritious food.

The Australian Dietary Guidelines provide up-to-date advice about the five food groups and the amount and kinds of foods that we need to eat for health.

Healthy Eating Active Living has free tips and programs to help you find the small steps you can take towards feeling better and healthier for longer.

Live Lighter has a range of information and resources to help you make healthy lifestyle changes.

The Heart Foundation provides great information on eating to protect your heart.

The Cancer Council provides information on how you can reduce your cancer risk by eating well, being physically active and maintaining a healthy weight.

We have budget friendly recipes for all occasions

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