Eating well

We are what we eat - so it's important to get the balance right!

• Raised blood pressure is the number one reason why people in West Kent go to their GP.
• Stroke, heart disease and other circulation problems cause 37.7% of all deaths in West Kent.
• 22% of adults in West Kent are estimated to be obese - a factor in lots of other health problems such as asthma, arthritis, heart disease and diabetes.
• Eating for a healthy heart will help protect you against all these problems.

• avoid saturated fat where possible (such as butter, cream, lard, dripping, full-fat cheese)
• get the fat you need from oily fish (like pilchards, sardines, salmon, trout or mackerel) and small amounts of vegetable oil
• eat five portions of fruit and vegetables every day
• fill up on carbohydrates like bread, cereals, pasta, rice, potatoes and oats at most meals
• avoid salty food and stop adding salt to food
• cut down on sugar
• make sure you get enough fibre (from wholemeal bread, flour and pasta and brown rice)
• drink in moderation - one glass of red wine four or five nights a week is said to protect against heart disease - a high intake of alcohol can have the opposite effect .