Prevention and Healthy Eating

The Eatwell Guide highlights the different types of food that make up our diet and shows the proportions that we should eat them in to have a well balanced and healthy diet. 

Further information and access to key messages can be found here.

Why think about portion sizes?  Most of us don't think about portion sizes when we eat but having a healthy balanced diet is about getting the right types of foods in the right amounts.  The British Nutrition Foundation (BNF) has produced a collection of guides to help you and the people you support to find the right balance.

Visit the BNF website and access their resources here.

The following resources provide information on why and when you should consider vitamin D supplementation. 

Why we need vitamin D leaflet
Vitamin D supplementation in adult care homes - guidance, support material and assessment sheet

People who exercise regularly have a lower risk of developing many long-term (chronic) conditions, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and some cancers.

Research shows that physical activity can also boost self-esteem, mood, sleep quality and energy, as well as reducing your risk of stress, clinical depression, dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

Find further information on increasing physical activity here.

The Healthy Eating Healthy Living training pack is designed to encourage healthy eating as a way of life for people with learning disabilities.  The pack provides all the materials needed to run a course on Healthy Eating Healthy Living and teaches participants the knowledge and skills required to eat a healthy and balanced diet.

People with learning disabilities should be able to access healthy eating and healthy living. The aim of this pack is to encourage people to feel confident in accessing mainstream health programmes in their local community. This pack provides a step towards this goal.

Why use the healthy eating healthy living training pack.
What are the key messages within the Healthy Eating Healthy Living Pack.
The pack is available on the Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities web site.

Healthy Eating for Everyday
Supporting Healthier Choices for Overweight Clients
Information on 'My own healthy eating plan'

Water makes up two thirds of our body. It is important to drink enough fluid to keep us healthy. Many people get dehydrated by not drinking enough fluid or by losing fluids and not replacing them. People with a learning disability are at greater risk of dehydration as they tend to loose more fluids from excess saliva, sweating, mouth breathing. Some medications also increase fluid needs.

Are you getting enough fluid leaflet.
Chart - How many drinks have you had today?