Information about healthy eating, a balanced diet, and local weight management services to help you keep a healthy weight.
How healthy is your food?
Healthy eating can help you to manage weight, improve your digestion, increase your sense of wellbeing and reduce the risk of developing illness and disease.
The key to eating well is having the correct proportions of a variety of foods for a balanced diet, in line with the Eatwell Guide.
Being overweight or obese
Eating too much sugar can affect your weight, your dental health and can cause health conditions such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Being overweight can also increase your risk of stroke, and some types of cancer such as breast cancer and bowel cancer.
Your BMI, or body mass index, affects your general health. You can calculate your BMI on the NHS Choices website.
Being underweight
Being underweight can also damage your health leading to problems such as a weakened immune system, tiredness and brittle bones. For more information about maintaining a healthy weight as an adult, see the NHS Choices website.
You can find information about children's and young people's health, nutrition and weight here.
Easy meals app
The free One You Easy Meals app is a great way to eat foods that are healthier for you. You'll find delicious, easy meal ideas to help get you going if you're ever short of inspiration.
Calorie counting - 400-600-600
It's easy to eat more than we should. Try aiming for a 400-600-600 calorie pattern to help you stay on track at mealtimes. That's around 400 calories for breakfast, 600 calories for lunch and 600 for dinner – leaving room for a couple of healthy snacks and drinks. It's all part of a healthy balanced diet of 2,000 calories a day for women and 2,500 calories for men.
Read more about how it works at One You: Eat Better.
You can easily check how many calories are in food and drink using the NHS online calorie checker.
Local weight loss and weight management services
You may be able to get support to lose weight from our adult weight management service. This is a free 12-week programme designed to support you along your weight loss journey.
The programme includes:
- nutritional sessions;
- weekly weigh-ins;
- physical activity sessions;
- techniques to support behaviour change;
- a personal weight loss plan;
- a physical activity agreement; and
- regular reviews to monitor progress.
Adults eligible for the service must be:
- aged eighteen years or over;
- have a BMI (body mass index) equal to or greater than 25; and
- live in North Yorkshire, be registered with a GP practice in North Yorkshire, or be working for an organisation based in North Yorkshire.
You can calculate your BMI on the NHS Choices website. If you are not eligible to use the service, you can still find information on losing weight from NHS Choices.
You will also have to commit to attending the sessions that you will agree with your weight management adviser.
If you achieve a five per cent weight loss after the first 12 weeks, you will be eligible for another 12 weeks' worth of free support.
If you don't manage to complete your 12-week programme or achieve a five per cent weight loss, you will be offered advice from your weight management adviser to see what future support you may need.
You can access the adult weight management service by contacting the provider for your area:
| Area | Contact details |
|---|---|
| Craven - 'Healthy Lifestyles' | Telephone: 01756 792805 Email: healthylifestyles@cravendc.gov.uk Website: Healthy Lifestyles |
| Hambleton - 'Take That Step' | Telephone: 01609 767241 Email: takethatstepteam@hambleton.gov.uk Website: Take That Step |
| Harrogate - 'Fit 4 Life' | Telephone: 01942 404799 Email: ihl.wigan@nhs.net Website: Fit 4 Life |
| Richmondshire - 'Healthy Futures' | Telephone: 0330 120 0544 option 3 Email: northyorks@maplehealthgroup.co.uk Website: Healthy Futures |
| Ryedale - 'NHS Weight Management Service' | Telephone: 01723 821395 or 0800 917 7752 or text 'Healthy' to 60163 Email: hnf-tr.weightmanagement@nhs.net Website: NHS Weight Management Service |
| Scarborough - 'NHS Weight Management Service' | Telephone: 01723 821395 or 0800 917 7752 or text 'Healthy' to 60163 Email: hnf-tr.weightmanagement@nhs.net Website: NHS Weight Management Service |
| Selby - 'Move It, Lose It' | Telephone: 01942 404799 Email: ihl.wigan@nhs.net Website: Move It, Lose It |
Other useful sources of information
- One You for tools, support and encouragement to help improve your health right away
- NHS Live Well for information on weight, diet and physical activity
- Change4Life for ideas and help on how to make small changes that add up to a healthier, happier future for you or your family
- Our move more page helps with exercise ideas to keep you active.
- Visit our healthy choices for children page for information about children and young people's healthy eating and weight management.
- Want to eat out healthily in cafes or restaurants? You can find food businesses that have been certified as offering healthy options, under our Healthier Choices scheme.
