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;
- live in North Yorkshire, be registered with a GP practice in North Yorkshire, or be working for an organisation based in North Yorkshire and;
- have a BMI (Body Mass Index) equal to or greater than 30,
- or have a BMI equal to or greater than 25 AND a black or minority ethnic group OR with some comorbidities including type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or hypertension.
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.
Due to the current Covid 19 pandemic our Adult Weight Management providers moved to delivering classes virtually. From August 2020 some providers are in a position to deliver face to face classes for some or all elements of their programmes. The current options available and routes into the service vary by district. Please see below.
Area | Contact details |
---|---|
Harrogate Borough Council ‘Fit4Life’ |
The Fit4life adult weight management programme in the Harrogate District is accepting GP referrals, for more information please contact us at active.health@harrogate.gov.uk to register your interest. |
Hambleton District Council ‘Take That Step’ | Hambleton District Councils Adult Weight Management Scheme, Take That Step, is currently only accepting GP referrals, please contact us at takethatstepteam@hambleton.gov.uk or 01609 767241 to register your interest. |
Humber NHS Foundation Trust – Scarborough and Ryedale NHS Weight Management | Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust Scarborough, Whitby & Ryedale Adult Weight Management service is Open to all! From GP referrals to Self referrals, please contact us at 0800 9177752 or email hnf-tr.weightmanagement@nhs.net to register your interest. |
Craven District Council – Healthy Lifestyles |
The Craven District Council Healthy Lifestyles Weight Management Programme is currently accepting GP referrals and self-referrals, please contact us to register your interest. |
Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles (Selby) – Move It Lose It | The Selby service cannot yet accept weight management referrals due to operating limited services. They are continuing to support clients remotely. Visit their Home Health Hub for weight management information including access to healthy recipes, exercise videos and advice on weight loss plans. Please follow the Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles website for progress updates. |
Richmondshire District Council – Choose to Lose |
Choose to Loose is currently accepting GP referrals and self-referrals, please contact us via email choosetolose@richmondshire.gov.uk or call 01748 901049. |
Other useful sources of information
- NHS Better Health is a 12 week programme to get your started.
- 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.