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

Some tips and recipes to help you fuel for study and make sure you are energised in your day-to-day life.

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

Healthy food swaps - BHF

Eating healthy on a tight budget: 6 top tips - BHF

Tips and Tricks

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Nutrition Icon

Healthy Ireland - resources for healthier eating

HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast - Spotify, Apple Podcasts

HSE Health and Wellbeing YouTube channel

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.

  • Green (low) = the best choice

  • Amber (medium) = okay most of the time

  • 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