Public Servant Lifestyle

Before you buy foods and drinks, check the labels carefully to make sure you are making healthier choices.

Many processed and ready-prepared foods contain a lot of fat, sugar and salt. You will often find there is a healthier alternative available that doesn't cost any more. For example, when buying tinned foods, look for those that do not contain added salt or sugar. For tinned fruits, buy those stored in natural juices or water, rather than syrup. Choose low-calorie soft drinks.

By law, packaged foods must tell you:

The name of the food

Its weight

A list of ingredients in descending order of weight

How long it can be kept and how to store it

How to cook and prepare it

The name and address of the maker, packer and seller of the food

The place of origin

Additives

Additives are added to food to help prolong its storage life, to make it easier to manufacture, to improve the flavour and to make it look more attractive to eat. Some additives, therefore, protect us from food poisoning. Many additives are naturally occurring substances, for example salt, some colourings, vitamin C and lecithin.

Information provided courtesy of NHS Direct.

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More information available in Drink, Eating In, Healthy Alternatives, In Your Kitchen, Supermarkets, To Your Door