A variety rich in nutrients

Press, 3 May 1984, Page 17

A variety rich in nutrients

Food is an important part of everyone’s life. It provides — or should provide — all the nutrients necessary for good health, growth and maintenance of normal body weight. A wide variety of foods are needed to ensure enough of all the nutrients required, and neither too much nor too little of any one. When the amount eaten is

reduced to help control body weight, it is particularly important that the foods chosen are rich in nutrients. Good nutrition means eating some wholegrain, starchy foods, especially wholegrain breads and breakfast cereals; a wide variety of fruit; a wide variety and large servings of vegetables; and some milk or other

dairy products. It also means small servings of lean meats, fish, poultry and some pulses (beans, lentils, peas). If fat or fatty foods (including butter) are eaten, they should be reduced to very small quantities. The same applies to sugar and sweetened foods, and to salt and salted foods. Foods that are rich in calories but provide few of the nutrients essential for good health are: © Fats, and foods cooked with or containing fat.

© Alcohol, and alcoholic beverages. ® Sugars, and foods containing sugar, including jams, syrups, honey, cordials, ice cream, cakes and biscuits. Hints for food preparation: © Do not soak vegetables. Cook them in a small amount of water, and do not over-cook. © Do not add sugar when cooking fruit.

© Leave skins on fruits and vegetables.