What is Nutrition?
Put simply, nutrition is about consistently eating a well-rounded diet consisting of nourishing foods that contain the essential nutrients that your body needs to function properly. Without proper nutrition, our body does not function properly. Your brain, muscles, nerves, bones, skin and immune system need nutrients to function. By looking after your nutrition, you protect yourself from illness and disease.
Fueling for Energy and Exams
How to shop with healthy eating in mind
This website outlines some tips to help you shop for a healthy diet
How to shop for a healthy diet | Safefood
Cooking 101
This website gives some really good tips to improve your cooking skills!
12 essential cooking tips for students - Save the Student
Healthy Recipes that won’t break the bank
Check out 101 Square Meals interactive recipe ebook for a selection of simple, tasty, and affordable recipes.
Simple Swaps
Tips and Tricks
Instead of carbohydrates or protein taking up the majority of your plate, try and fill half of your plate with vegetables or fruits. This will increase your micronutrient intake which is very important for your brain and body to function properly. Additionally, vegetables and fruits are typically much lower in calories than any carbohydrate or protein sources, meaning you can eat more of them and feel full much faster!
Instead of using butter in your cooking, try to use olive oil, rapeseed oil, or any other non-saturated fat source. This will help keep your cholesterol levels low, which is one of the ways that we protect our heart from disease. The same goes for meat sources. E.g. Try to use 5% reduced fat mince instead of regular mince.
By switching out starchy carbohydrates like white bread and white pasta. use wholegrain alternatives. Wholegrains are rich in fibre, which is an important part of a healthy diet. Fibre aids with digestive health, makes us feel full faster, and has been even proven to reduce risk of bowel cancer, stroke and heart disease.
Always make a list when you plan to go shopping, and stick to it! The costs add up when you pick up other unnecessary items.
Frozen vegetables and berries are a much cheaper option to fresh versions, while still holding the same nutritional value.
Plant proteins are often a much cheaper alternative than traditional protein sources such as beef, chicken and fish. They are also a lot healthier for your heart due to their lower saturated fat content.
Try to eat oats instead. Cereals are typically loaded with sugar and provide you with little to no nutritional value.
Healthy Ireland - resources for healthier eating
HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast - Spotify, Apple Podcasts
How to Read Food Labels
Food labels tell us about the nutritional value of our food. They usually measure per 100 grams, or sometimes per recommended serving size. You will typically find the label on the front or side of the food packaging. A typical food label looks like this.
The colour coding indicates the level of each component of the food.
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Green (low) = the best choice
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Amber (medium) = okay most of the time
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Red (high) = only have occasionally
| Fat | Saturated Fat | Sugars | Salt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low (Green): 3g or less | Low (Green): 1.5g or less | Low (Green): 5g or less | Low (Green): 0.3g or less |
| Medium (Amber): Between 3g and 17.5g | Medium (Amber): Between 1.5g and 5g | Medium (Amber): Between 5g and 22.5g | Medium (Amber): Between 0.3g and 1.5g |
| High (Red): Over 17.5g | High (Red): Over 5g | High (Red): Over 22.5g | High (Red): Over 1.5g |