Your Life

Healthy Eating

Read our Healthy Living Leaflet

Diet and exercise

Healthy eating and exercise is very important and can make you both look and feel better. A healthy diet should consist of a low fat intake with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and plenty of fibre.

Our bodies need certain vitamins and minerals to function properly and to keep illness away and a good balanced diet can give you all your body needs. Exercising also helps keep you fit and strong. Exercising doesn't mean you need to enrol in an expensive gym. Walking to school or work, cycling, dancing and kicking a football around at the weekend are all good forms of exercise which will help to keep your heart and lungs healthy as well as burning off those extra calories.

Eating disorders

Anyone can develop an eating disorder regardless of age, race, gender or background. Eating disorders are a way of coping with feelings that are making you sad or depressed. It may be difficult to face up to and talk about feelings like anger, sadness, guilt, loss or fear. An eating disorder is a sign that you need help in coping with life, and sorting out personal problems.

  • Anorexia Nervosa - A person who has Anorexia Nervosa restricts the amount they eat and drink, deliberately starving themselves of food. It is very rare, but occasionally people die from the effects of anorexia as they are simply not eating enough to survive.
  • Bulimia Nervosa - A person who has Bulimia Nervosa often gorges on food, or 'binge' eats. After binge-eating a large quantity of food they will immediately get rid of the food they have eaten by making themselves sick or taking laxatives to cause diarrhoea.

If you think you may be suffering from an Eating Disorder speak to your Parents, Doctor or a Connexions personal adviser for confidential advice and help.


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