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This resource pack is primarily intended for use by schools, although elements of it will be relevant to other professionals working with children and young people in Nottinghamshire.

Each column is titled with its contents.

Scroll right to see all the columns and topics.

Scroll down each column to find additional information.

Click on website links or images to open the web page/document.

A search bar at the top right corner can be used to search the Padlet.

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The Nottingham city Eating and Moving for Good Health 2023 Strategy

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The Nottingham city Eating and Moving for Good Health 2023 Strategy

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We want Nottingham City early years settings, schools and academies to role model healthy eating, good hydration and plenty of physical activity. Together we want to create school environments that promote physical activity and good nutrition; whilst maximising the role schools play in communities and their potential to support families implement healthy choices.

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Healthy Eating Requirements in Primary School:

what constitutes a healthy diet (including understanding calories and other nutritional content).

• the principles of planning and preparing a range of healthy meals.

• the characteristics of a poor diet and risks associated with unhealthy eating (including, for example, obesity and tooth decay) and other behaviours (e.g. the impact of alcohol on diet or health).

Healthy Eating Requirements in Secondary School:

Know how to maintain healthy eating habits.

Understand the connection between a poor diet and health problems like tooth decay and cancer.

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The UK government is implementing a plan to halve childhood obesity by 2030 through focusing on sugar and calorie reduction, advertising restrictions, and promoting healthier environments.

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The percentage of children aged 10-11 years classified as living with obesity in England rose from 17.5% in the financial year ending 2007 to 22.7% in the financial year ending 2023.

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A step-by-step guide to conversations about weight management with children and families for health and care professionals

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A guide for parents and caregivers of children aged 4-11 years

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Public Health guidance to help parents talk to children about weight management

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Resources for schools

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Resources to help schools plan and provide healthy food in schools.

Details

Resources and advice for all schools and caterers. They offer practical guidance on how to apply the school food standards and make sure healthy options are always available for pupils.

The resources include:

guidance for schools

food standards poster

guidance for governors

advice on creating a culture of healthy eating

guidance on food portion sizes

headteacher and school lunch checklists

guidance on food allergies

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School food standards: resources for schools

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A range of flexible nutrition resources across different subject areas – designed for use throughout the school year to encourage pupils to build healthier habits for life.

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Create healthy, sustainable gardens to support health and sustainable living

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home / RHS Campaign for School Gardening

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Inspiration and support from the RHS for schools, providing children with gardening opportunities to enhance their skills and boost their development.

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All schools: Better Health resources and information

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All schools: Better Health resources and information

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Get more information and resources related to the Better Health Food Scanner app childhood nutrition campaign.

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All schools: NFU Nutrition and farming education

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All schools: NFU Nutrition and farming education

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Convey important messages about food, farming, and nutrition through a cross‑curricular, project‑based approach

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Harvest Thali

Join us on the 4 th October 2023 for a quest across the countryside to collect all the ingredients for our interactive Harvest Thali.

We'll be learning how the key ingredients are grown and produced, meeting the people responsible for growing and producing them and joining our super star chef, Rayeesa Asghar-Sandys, in her kitchen to mix them into a range of delicious thali dishes to celebrate the end of Harvest!

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We're on a mission to bring #Farming #Education to schools in England & Wales. Sharing educational best practice in the sector and providing top resources.

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Discover some simple hacks, tips and guidance to make the most of your food at home.

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Love Food Hate Waste is here to help us all make the most of the food we love. By rethinking how we shop, planning our meals better and using up our leftovers, together we can make a big difference.

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Discover some simple hacks, tips and guidance to make the most of your food at home.

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Love Food Hate Waste is here to help us all make the most of the food we love. By rethinking how we shop, planning our meals better and using up our leftovers, together we can make a big difference.

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Investigate the nutritional and a calorific content of food

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Your IP address is automatically collected when you visit the site because your IP address needs to be recognised by the server. We use your IP address to record general site usage information and browsing preferences, but not to track your individual visit. We do not identify individual users in this sort of research.

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Useful website for understanding labelling

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Food labelling | British Nutritional Foundation

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Looking at the nutrition information on food labels can help you make healthier choices.

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All schools: Mapping food into your PSHE curriculum

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All schools: Mapping food into your PSHE curriculum

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BNF has mapped the elements of the new RSE and Health Education curriculum that relate to food and nutrition (Physical health and mental wellbeing: healthy eating, Physical health and fitness, and Health and prevention) against the D&T: Cooking and nutrition and Science national curricula, as well as the Core Competences for children and young people.

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The aim of the RSE and Health Education 2020 curriculum is to put in place the key building blocks to healthy relationships, good mental health and healthy, active lives. Relationships Education is compulsory in all primary schools and Relationships Education and Sex Education is compulsory in all secondary schools. Health Education is compulsory in all state-funded schools.

RSE and Health Education compliments many National Curriculum subjects and schools should look for opportunities to find links between subjects and integrate teaching where appropriate. A whole school approach to wellbeing and health should also be taken into account when teaching RSE and Health Education.

In order to support this cross-curricular and whole school approach, BNF has mapped the elements of the new RSE and Health Education curriculum that relate to food and nutrition (Physical health and mental wellbeing: healthy eating, Physical health and fitness, and Health and prevention) against the D&T: Cooking and nutrition and Science national curricula, as well as the Core Competences for children and young people.

The national curriculum for PE aims to ensure that pupils develop competence to excel in a broad range of physical activities, are physically active for sustained periods of time, engage in competitive sport and activities and lead healthy, active lives.
Please note that there are other strands to the statutory guidance that must be considered alongside Physical health and mental wellbeing to ensure that the curriculum is covered fully. It is also important to note that the guidance states that secondary schools should continue to develop knowledge on topics specified for primary as required and in addition cover the specified secondary content. About this document

Maps the healthy eating and nutrition aspects of RSE and Health Education against the D&T: Cooking and nutrition and Science National Curricula, as well as the Core Competences for children and young people.

Provides links to activities, resources and support on the Food - a fact of life website.

Progression is mapped for each statement, from Key Stage 1 to 4.

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Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education 2020

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The aim of the RSE and Health Education 2020 curriculum is to put in place the key building blocks to healthy relationships, good mental health and healthy, active lives. Relationships Education is compulsory in all primary schools and Relationships Education and Sex Education is compulsory in all secondary schools.

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free, curriculum-linked resources, help your learners aged 5-7 so that they understand the importance of a healthy, balanced diet.

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Access resources here! Access resources here!

We are seeking young cubs to join us on BEAR's Grrreat Food Quest! Through a suite of free, curriculum-linked resources, help your learners aged 5-7 so that they understand the importance of a healthy, balanced diet. In addition, there's a host of free BEAR cross-curricular activities suitable for use in school or at home.

Only 1 in 6 children in the UK are currently achieving their 5-a-day. So, now it's time to help them make informed, healthier choices about what they eat and how they snack. BEAR's Grrreat Food Quest provides all the free resources you need to get started.

Session Guide: Your one-stop-shop for hints, tips and a range of fun activities for your learners
Presentation: Let BEAR introduce the quest with this engaging presentation
Activity Sheet: Help BEAR pack a healthy snack with the creative colour and draw activity

BEAR's competition is now closed

BEAR's Grrreat Food Quest competition is now closed. Thank you to all who took part. We received some fantastic entries and loved all of them! They were all worthy winners, but unfortunately, we could only choose two. Click here to find out who won!

Access resources here! Parent Register

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Enter the competition

BEAR's Grrreat Food Quest competition is now closed.

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BEAR's Grrreat Food Quest - National Schools Partenrship

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BEAR's Grrreat Food Quest takes learners on an adventure to find the healthiest lunchboxes in all the land. Help them discover more in school or at home.

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The food-based standards specify which types of food should be served at school

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All schools: Checklist for school healthy eating

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All schools: Checklist for school healthy eating

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Aimed at Head Teachers but can be a good way to check

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The following questions and examples of evidence can help school leaders and governing bodies adopt a whole school approach to food.

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Creating a culture and ethos of healthy eating

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Find out how water and other drinks fit into a healthy diet and lifestyle.

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Good practice for  pupils with additional needs

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Good practice for  pupils with additional needs

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Advice for parents of overweight children

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It can be difficult to tell if a child is overweight as they are still growing. Find tips on how to help your child reach a healthier weight.

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Discover our range of recipes - find loads of simple, affordable, tasty, healthier recipes to inspire you and your family.

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We believe that every child with diabetes

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Essential school-going information for parents.

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The accreditation offers readers a guarantee that the material carrying the PIF tick is evidence-based, understandable, jargon-free, up-to-date and produced to the best possible standard.

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The accreditation offers readers a guarantee that the material carrying the PIF tick is evidence-based, understandable, jargon-free, up-to-date and produced to the best possible standard.

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Veganuary has inspired and supported millions of people to try vegan since 2014 - with participants from almost every country in the world. We have worked with businesses to drive up vegan options in shops and restaurants, and have made veganism more visible and accessible through our work with national and international media.

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Veganuary - the international movement inspiring people to try vegan!

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Since 2014, Veganuary has inspired and supported more than 2.5 million people in 228 countries to try vegan for January - and beyond!

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Healthy Eating Week 2025 will take place between Monday 9 June and Friday 13 June 2025.

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Healthy Eating Week - British Nutrition Foundation

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The British Nutrition Foundation's Healthy Eating Week is an annual event that highlights what we can all do to have healthier lifestyles. Everyone is invited to get involved and we provide free information, activity ideas and resources to help everyone on their journey to having a healthier and more sustainable diet.

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9 September – Sunday 22 September 2024.

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2024 is our 30th birthday, so we want to use the occasion to highlight how 30 years of working together has made the FAIRTRADE Mark a leader of life-changing impact for farmers and workers across the world.

The headline news is that our Fairtrade Fortnight 2024 will be held in September as part of our year-long milestone celebrations. This will give us more time to make the most of the activities and awareness around the campaign.

Throughout 2024, there will be lots of opportunities to get involved with our activities, and we'll be keeping you in touch with more details.

We know you'll want to join us in celebrating the significant impact that the FAIRTRADE Mark has had in the world, and thank you for all your incredible support and contributions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is moving Fairtrade Fortnight to September a permanent move or will it be going back to its usual slot in 2025?
In July 2023 we announced we would make the move to September a permanent change from 2024, so that going forward, we can create consistency for everyone involved.

Is it ok for partners to do small-scale Fairtrade Fortnight events in February on their own?
We would love to make our September event as big as possible to make sure we get maximum awareness, so we would encourage you to focus on our September dates. There will be lots of opportunities outside the actual fortnight to promote Fairtrade throughout 2024.

When will the theme be communicated?
We're already working away on this, and we'll let you have an update very soon!

How does 30 years of the FAIRTRADE Mark relate to the Fairtrade Fortnight date change?
Moving Fairtrade Fortnight to September gives us the opportunity for a longer planning cycle, which allows us to be able to get the most from our activities around our 30 years celebration of the FAIRTRADE Mark. We're really excited about what's to come and we know you are too!

Find out more

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Fairtrade Fortnight took place from 27 February to 12 March 2023, celebrating the farmers and workers who grow the world's food.

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Find out about the role fats play in a healthy diet, including saturated fats, unsaturated fats and omega-3.

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1st – 7th October 2024

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National Vegetarian Week 2024 - Vegetarian Society

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National Vegetarian Week is the perfect reason to give vegetarian food a go! And, whether it’s…

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7th-13th October 2024

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Second to Naan

The 25th National Curry Week takes place from the 2nd to 8th October 2023. It's been a difficult year but for one week only, let's talk about curry instead of coronavirus. Whether you're heading out to your local curry house or cooking up a storm using our official recipe book, we want you to be rejoicing in all things curry!

Get involved

Celebrate the 25th National Curry Week with us!

Get Social

Head to our Instagram page to be in with the chance of winning some great prizes!

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The 24th National Curry Week takes place from the 3rd to 9th October 2022. It's been a difficult year but for one week only, let's talk about curry instead of coronavirus.

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16 October 2024

World Food Day

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Home | World Food Day | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

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Collective action across 150 countries is what makes World Food Day one of the most celebrated days of the UN calendar. Hundreds of events and outreach activities bring together governments, businesses, NGOs, the media, and general public. They promote worldwide awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger and for the need to ensure healthy diets for all.

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BHF provides answers to common questions about diet

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Our senior dietitian answers your questions on healthy eating including food myths, and maintaining a healthy weight. Find out more.

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Energy drinks are associated with an increased risk of mental health issues among children

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Energy drinks are associated with an increased risk of mental health issues among children

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Evidence shows risks associated with energy drinks in children

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Energy drinks are associated with an increased risk of mental health issues among children and young people, including anxiety, stress, depression, and suicidal thoughts, a new study has found.

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Building a positive relationship with food and your body

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Building a positive relationship with food and your body

Support for young people, caregivers and professionals

Explore our educational modules

What is Disordered Eating?

Disordered Eating is a phrase used to describe a range of irregular eating behaviours that may or may not warrant a diagnosis of a specific eating disorder.

People who experience disordered eating, whether diagnosed with an Eating Disorder or not, often have poor emotional awareness and have limited access to emotion regulation strategies.

Tell me more about this

What is Body Image?

We can't always see the extent of somebody's body image struggles. Body image is the way you:

Evaluate your appearance

Think and feel about the way your body looks and functions

Behave, treat and relate to your body

Tell me more about this

What is AFRID?

People with ARFID eat a very limited variety or amount of food and it causes problems in their lives. These problems may be health related, like loosing too much weight, or not getting enough nutrients.

These problems may also be social, like not being able to eat meals with others.

Tell me more about this

What is Normal Eating?

Normal eating is flexible. It varies in response to your emotions, schedule, hunger and proximity to food.

Examples of 'normal' eating include being able to eat when you're hungry and continue eating until you are satisfied, overeating and undereating at times and giving yourself permission to eat all foods.

Tell me more about this

Search Resources

Search our library of resources curated by our clinical and specialism
professionals.

Co-produced by experts, young people and caregivers

Uncover the path to a more positive relationship with food and your body with Be Body Positive. Your new go-to destination for information and resources on disordered eating and body image.

The content is designed by a team of experts specifically for young people and tested by young people.

With resources for parents and carers as well as youth workers, teachers and health professionals, there is something new to learn for everyone.

Find out more

Stories

Hear from people in similar situations

Binge-Eating Disorder Recovery

Young Person from Bedfordshire

I remember being around eight to nine years old and beginning to develop binge eating disorder symptoms. It was at a challenging point in my life when my parents split up and then when I went to secondary school, things got worse as I had more control over what I was eating...

Follow This Story

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Designed as an early intervention, Be Body Positive promotes building a positive relationship with food and your body.

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Healthy eating on a budget for families 

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Healthy eating on a budget for families 

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Eating healthily on a budget | British Nutrition Foundation

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The rise in food, energy and fuel prices will affect many of us having less to spend on food shopping.

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Free education resources for teaching young people aged 3-16 years about where food comes from, cooking and healthy eating, and teacher training. - Food A Fact Of Life

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The resources follow a progression framework and have been developed to stimulate learning and support the curriculum and qualifications throughout the UK. All resources are designed to ensure that consistent and up-to-date messages are delivered.

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Ask the experts: Is it safe for my teenager to take supplements as part of a weight training programme? — The Children’s Dietitian | Lucy Upton

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A paediatric dietitian and a sport dietitian say teens taking supplements to ‘bulk up’ is unwarranted and potentially hazardous.

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Bupa GP, Dr Samantha Wild, explains what is meant by gut health and how your gut and brain are connected.

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Resources for growing activities

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Grow Your Own Potatoes 🥔 For Primary Schools in England, Scotland and Wales

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Grow Your Own Potatoes for Primary Schools in England, Wales and Scotland

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Grow Your Own Potatoes 🥔 Free Seed Potatoes for all Primary Schools 🥔 Register NOW 🥔 Educational Resource with Projects 🥔 Linked to the curriculum 🥔

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Diet, behaviour and learning in children

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Diet, behaviour and learning in children

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Diet, behaviour and learning in children

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Diet, behaviour and learning in children

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Giving your child regular meals, and a healthy, well-balanced diet helps their development, mental wellbeing and physical health.

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Make a change today! Discover healthy recipes, food swaps, nutritional advice, and top tips and activities to help the whole family stay healthy.

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This lesson helps young people understand ingredients in energy drinks and sports drinks that may be unhealthful for children and teens.

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This lesson helps young people understand ingredients in energy drinks and sports drinks that may be unhealthful for children and teens. The youth will compare the caffeine levels of various drinks and create a warning label with some facts about their effects.

Instructor Notes

Before facilitating this lesson, you may want to review the following information. This can be shared with young people during your discussions.

Ads for sports drinks and energy drinks are hard to miss these days. It's not uncommon to see children drinking these beverages that are formulated for fully grown, serious athletes who are doing intense training and competition. Unfortunately, many of these drinks are not good for children and can be harmful.

Introduction

1. Ask the youth what they know about sports drinks and energy drinks.

2. Show one example of a sports drink and one example of an energy drink. Define "sports drink" and "energy drink" using the information below.
Sports drinks: These beverages have carbohydrates, minerals and electrolytes. Many of them also have added coloring and flavoring.
Sports drinks are meant to replace water and electrolytes lost during exercise. These beverages can be helpful to athletes who are doing intense activity. For children, they are usually just a source of extra calories that are not needed.
Energy drinks: These beverages may have similar ingredients as sports drinks. They also have stimulants such as caffeine and guarana.
Energy drinks often have much more caffeine per serving than other beverages. This increases the chances of having too much caffeine, which can have dangerous and sometimes lasting harmful effects.

3. Ask the youth if they can name any other sports drinks or energy drinks. Explain that these drinks are often marketed towards young people but may contain ingredients that are unhealthful for children and teens.

4. Caffeine in children can cause side effects such as:

an increase in heart rate

high blood pressure

problems sleeping

anxiety and nervousness.When children drink a lot of energy drinks and then stop drinking them, they can go through caffeine withdrawal. This can cause side effects such as:

headache

fatigue (tiredness)

decreased alertness

irritability

trouble concentrating

muscle pain or stiffness.

5. Most energy and sports drinks are also very acidic. This means that drinking these beverages could cause damage to tooth enamel.

6. Optional: If appropriate for your group, distribute the handout Energy Drinks: What You Need To Know. Allow young people time to read about this topic before proceeding to the activities.

Activity: Caffeine Counts

1. Organize the youth into teams of three or four. Ask each group to use the Caffeine Counts worksheet to identify and record the following information for several different sports drinks and energy drinks. Include some sodas, other beverages, and even other products for comparison.

name of the product

serving size

amount of caffeine.

2. Ask the youth to choose some of their favorite products or ones they have in their home or ones they have heard of from advertisements. They can use the Energy Drinks: What You Need To Know handout and/or the Caffeine Informer database to find information. You can also bring in labels or containers from home or, if you give them enough notice, ask them to do so.

3. Talk about what the young people found. Were there surprises? Which products had the highest levels of caffeine? Based on what they've learned about how caffeine affects bodies, how safe do they think these products are?

Activity: Caffeine Warning Labels

1. Explain that there are people who think that caffeine products should come with warning labels and are trying to get a law passed to require it. These would be similar to those found on cigarettes or alcohol.

2. In the same or different small groups, have the young people create what they think would be a good warning label to put on caffeine-containing products. They don't have to agree that having a label is necessary, but if a law were to be passed to that effect, ask them what they think the warnings should say.

3. Ask them to share and describe their labels.

Conclusion

Remind young people that companies that market and sell packaged foods are very good at figuring out how to convince people to buy their products. This doesn't mean that all packaged foods are bad, but it does mean that consumers should be cautious and pay attention to ingredients to make sure they know what they're putting in their bodies.

Continuing the Conversation

Hand out the Healthy Families Newsletter in English or Spanish, so that families work together to spot unhealthful amounts of caffeine in the beverages of young people.

Additional Instructor Resources

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Lesson Overview This lesson helps young people understand ingredients in energy drinks and sports drinks that may be unhealthful for children and teens. The youth will compare the caffeine levels of various drinks and create

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Find out about the role fats play in a healthy diet, including saturated fats, unsaturated fats and omega-3.

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Find out how water and other drinks fit into a healthy diet and lifestyle.

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Get free access to expert weight loss, stop smoking and exercise programmes and more.

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Thriving Nottingham | Helping you to live well and feel great

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Get to a healthier you with our dedicated health and wellbeing support in Nottingham. Feel great with free support tailored for lasting lifestyle improvements.

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Tips to help families eat healthily

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Healthy activity offerings by Nottingham Council

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Healthy activity offerings by Nottingham Council

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Find out about physical activity offers in Nottingham City

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Nottingham City Council provides a wide range of sports, leisure and activities for residents to enjoy. Including markets, museums, parks, walks, libraries.

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Finding out about your students dietary habits, barriers to health eating and more 

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Finding out about your students dietary habits, barriers to health eating and more 

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Nottingham City schools can find out more about physical activity issues in their own setting, as well as a number of other health issues by taking part in the free survey commissioned from the Schools Health Education Unit (SHEU).

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The Nottingham Health and Wellbeing Survey is aimed at children in years 6 and 10 (can also be completed with other year groups) and covers a range of health and wellbeing related behaviour questions. The survey is open at the beginning of the Autumn Term each year.

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This guide is part of All Our Health, a resource which helps health and care professionals and the wider public health workforce prevent ill health and promote wellbeing as part of their everyday work.

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Introduction

This guide is part of All Our Health, a resource which helps health and care professionals and the wider public health workforce prevent ill health and promote wellbeing as part of their everyday work.

The information in this module is aimed at the general population and will help frontline staff promote the benefits of a healthy, balanced diet.

Individuals requiring weight management advice or those with special dietary requirements or medical needs should receive tailored advice from their doctor and/or a registered dietitian.

We also recommend important actions that managers and staff holding strategic roles can take. View the full range of All Our Health topics.

Eating a healthy, balanced diet is an important part of maintaining good health and reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers, such as bowel, breast and pancreatic cancer. The World Health Organization ( WHO) states that consuming a healthy diet throughout the life-course helps to prevent malnutrition in all its forms as well as a range of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and conditions.

Research shows that most people in the United Kingdom do not meet government dietary recommendations. The most recent UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) data shows that population intakes of saturated fat, sugar, and salt are above the government recommendations whereas intakes of fibre, fruit and vegetables, and oily fish are below government recommendations. It is estimated that on average, adults' diets contain 200 to 300 more calories than recommended a day, and children who are already overweight or living with obesity up to 500 more calories than are required for a healthy body weight.

In the financial year 2020 to 2021, the NHS in the UK is estimated to have spent £6.5 billion on overweight and obesity related ill-health. This is around 4.7% of the NHS budget. Reducing obesity and improving diets is essential to increasing healthy life expectancy.

Government dietary recommendations are underpinned by the latest scientific evidence, based on advice from the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition ( SACN). SACN's remit is to assess the risks and benefits of nutrients, dietary patterns, food or food components to health by evaluating the evidence base in its entirety and making dietary recommendations for the UK population (including vulnerable and diverse groups) based on its assessment. See more information on SACN and their most recent reports.

Health and care professionals are widely relied upon to provide accurate, and evidence-based advice. The food and drink we consume is a topic of interest to us all and that is why it is so important that healthcare professionals who may speak to patients about this are well informed.

What a healthy, balanced diet is

The Eatwell Guide

Government advice on a healthy, balanced diet is encapsulated in the UK's national food model, the Eatwell Guide. The Eatwell Guide reflects the latest dietary recommendations and key public health messages. It applies to most people over the age of 5 and is suitable for vegans and vegetarians too.

The food group segment sizes of the Eatwell Guide were developed objectively using a mathematical modelling approach, underpinned by the scientific evidence base. This resulted in a model that meets UK dietary recommendations. The proportions shown are representative of food consumption over the period of a day or even a week, not necessarily each mealtime.

The Eatwell Guide provides a visual representation of the types and proportions of foods needed for a healthy balanced diet to promote long-term health at a population level and includes key messages such as:

eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day

base meals on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, choosing wholegrain versions where possible

have some dairy or dairy alternatives (such as fortified soya drinks), choosing lower fat and lower sugar options

eat some beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins (including 2 portions of fish every week, one of which should be oily)

choose unsaturated oils and spreads and eat in small amounts

drink 6 to 8 cups or glasses of fluid a day

if consuming foods and drinks high in fat, salt or sugar have these less often and in small amounts

The Eatwell Guide principles apply to most people regardless of weight, dietary restrictions, dietary preferences or ethnic origin. The foods included in the image are recognised as representative of the wider food group, including foods specific to particular ethnic minority groups.

Hydration

Everyone should aim to drink 6 to 8 glasses of fluid every day. Water, lower fat milk and sugar-free drinks including tea and coffee all count. Although drinks containing caffeine, such as tea and coffee, are mild diuretics, the fluid component of these (for example, water and milk) negates any dehydrating effect at normal levels of consumption.

Fruit juices and smoothies also count towards fluid consumption, although they should be limited to no more than a combined total of 150ml a day.

Sugary drinks are one of the main contributors to excess sugar consumption amongst children and adults in the UK. Swap sugary soft drinks for diet, sugar-free or no added sugar varieties to reduce sugar intake in a simple step.

Alcohol

Alcohol can also contain lots of calories (kcal) and should be limited to no more than 14 units a week for men and women.

The calorific content of an alcoholic beverage depends on the type of alcohol, the volume served and the addition of mixers. As an example, 1 pint of standard strength lager contains approximately 136kcal, a 175ml medium glass of wine contains approximately 135kcal and a 25ml shot of spirit (40% vol) contains approximately 56kcal.

For more information on alcohol, see Alcohol: applying All Our Health. There is an interactive e-learning version of this topic now available.

Evidence from the WHO shows that consumption of more than 400g of fruit and vegetables a day is associated with a lower risk of heart disease, stroke and some cancers. Therefore, government advice is to consume at least 5 80g portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables a day. Despite the programme being known as '5 a day', the recommendation emphasises consuming at least 5 portions a day, implying that this is a minimum consumption recommendation.

For dried fruit, a portion is 30g, which is roughly equivalent to 80g of the produce in fresh weight. Dried fruit should be eaten at mealtimes, not as a between-meal snack, to reduce the risk of tooth decay.

Pure fruit or vegetable juices and smoothies should be limited to a combined total of 150ml a day. This is because crushing fruit and vegetables releases the sugars they contain to produce free sugars. Free sugars also include the sugars added to food or drinks, and sugars found naturally in honey and syrups. These free sugars are linked to excess weight and tooth decay.

Beans and pulses (such as lentils and chickpeas) also count towards the recommended 5 a day, however they only count as one portion a day (80g), no matter how many are consumed. This is because although they are a good source of fibre, they contain a different mixture of nutrients than fruits and vegetables. Beans and pulses are a good source of protein and are generally cheap to buy so are a healthy way to bulk out meals, such as ragus, soups and casseroles, to make them spread further.

The latest NDNS data shows that the UK population still needs to consume more fruit and vegetables, with only 33% of adults and just 12% of children aged 11 to 18 meeting the 5 a day recommendation.

Eating a wide variety of fresh, frozen, tinned and dried fruit and vegetables every day will help provide a range of different nutrients. Frozen and tinned fruit and vegetables can often be cheaper than fresh varieties but try to choose tinned fruit and vegetables in natural juice or water, with no added sugar or salt. Value brands or 'wonky' fruit and vegetables are also usually cheaper options when shopping.

See NHS information on the types of fruits and vegetables that count towards your 5 a day.

Vitamin and mineral supplements

The majority of the population can get all the vitamins and minerals they require from a healthy, balanced diet. However, some vitamin supplements are recommended in certain circumstances at a population level, such as vitamin D during the autumn and winter and folic acid for pregnancy.

Vitamin D

In spring and summer, most people will get all the vitamin D they need through sunlight on the skin and from a healthy, balanced diet. However, during the autumn and winter we cannot make enough vitamin D from sunlight. Since it is difficult to get enough vitamin D from food alone, it is recommended that everyone should consider taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D during autumn and winter.

Some people may need to take a vitamin D supplement all year round, including:

individuals with limited sun exposure as a result of not spending time outdoors (for example, the frail or institutionalised) or habitually wearing clothing that covers most of the skin while outdoors should take a supplement all year round

individuals with dark skin, from a black African, black Caribbean, or South Asian background are advised to consider taking a supplement all year round

Despite some reports linking vitamin D to a reduction in the risk of coronavirus (COVID-19), there is currently not enough evidence to support taking vitamin D solely to prevent or treat COVID-19. Read the COVID-19 rapid guideline: vitamin D report from the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) for more information.

Folic Acid

For women who are pregnant, trying for a baby or could get pregnant, it is recommended that they take a 400 microgram folic acid supplement daily before and during pregnancy until they are 12 weeks pregnant. This is to help prevent neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, in the baby.

Infants and young children

The government recommends all children aged 6 months to 5 years are given vitamin supplements containing vitamins A, C and D every day.

Babies who are having more than 500ml (about a pint) of infant formula a day should not be given vitamin supplements. This is because formula is fortified with vitamins A, C and D and other nutrients.

Vitamin drops for babies and young children are available through Healthy Start for those who are eligible.

Plant-based diets

Some individuals may choose to limit their consumption of animal products, for example meat and dairy. With careful planning and an understanding, it is possible to get the nutrients they need from eating a varied and balanced plant-based diet, including fortified foods and some supplements (such as a vitamin B12 supplement for those who do not consume animal products). For example, choosing fortified plant-based drinks and including nuts and seeds rich in omega-3 fatty acids (such as walnuts) each day.

Read NHS information on plant-based diets.

See Climate change: applying All Our Health more information on the role of a heathy diet for sustainability and the environment.

Dietary myths

Healthy eating can often be portrayed in the media as complicated, confusing and contradictory. This can result in the incorrect assumption that official advice is always changing, leading to further confusion about what constitutes a healthy, balanced diet, when in fact UK government nutrition guidance has remained largely unchanged for many years. For example, a common misconception is that diets lower in carbohydrates promote weight loss. However, starchy carbohydrates form an integral part of a healthy, balanced diet and should make up around a third of the food we eat.

Government advice on carbohydrates is based on recommendations made by SACN in its 2015 Carbohydrates and Health report. The report concluded that the hypothesis that diets higher in total carbohydrate cause weight gain was not supported by the evidence from the long-term randomised controlled trails considered, and that significantly reducing consumption of whole food groups in the long term is likely to increase the risk of insufficient intakes of certain nutrients.

In addition, SACN, co-chaired with Diabetes UK, reviewed the evidence on lower carbohydrate diets for adults with type 2 diabetes ( T2D) and concluded that lower carbohydrate diets may be an effective short-term option for adults with T2D and excess weight. However, there is insufficient evidence to recommend it long-term, and it is unknown if it is effective for all adults with T2D. This advice is not recommended for the general population.

For some examples of contradictory media headlines, see the former government Chief Nutritionist, Dr Alison Tedstone's blog: Clearing up confusion caused by flip-flopping diet news.

Core principles for health and care professionals

This 'All Our Health' healthy eating information has been created to help all health and care professionals:

understand specific activities and interventions that can prevent poor dietary health

think about the resources and services available in your area that can help people achieve a healthy balanced diet and meet government dietary recommendations despite potential barriers including cost, time and amenities

educate themselves and others on government dietary guidelines

be aware of where vitamin supplements are recommended at a population level

Taking action

If you're a front-line health and care professional, you should:

talk to patients about the importance of a healthy, balanced diet at relevant moments

refer a patient to your local dietetic service, if you feel they would benefit from more tailored advice on their diet. If you are unsure on how to go about this, advise the patient to contact their GP practice for further information and guidance. Some examples of patients who would benefit from more tailored advice include those with diabetes, coeliac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and those displaying symptoms of malnutrition or disordered eating. For more generalised resources you may find it useful to familiarise yourself with the:

explore the Eatwell Guide page. This page contains:

government dietary guidelines

the Eatwell Guide image and explanation in the Eatwell Guide booklet

the quick guide gives information on the evidence base underpinning government dietary recommendations

a guide to what, why and how for the Eatwell model

explore nutrition advice on NHS.UK, for example red meat and the risk of bowel cancer

role model healthy eating in your team and work environment by displaying the Eatwell Guide poster on walls of consultation rooms and waiting areas. You may also wish to look into nutrition training for relevant practitioners which are accredited by the Association for Nutrition

resist using unhealthy foods as 'treats' for patients for example, sweets at the front desk or directly to children following treatments. Instead, you could have a cold-water dispenser in the waiting room and NHS branded stationery or healthcare related samples for patients for example toothpaste samples in dental clinics, or stickers for children

If you're a team leader or manager, you should:

encourage your team to familiarise themselves with government healthy eating advice and the Eatwell Guide. Ensure you have posters on display in staff areas such as the canteen and staff rooms

ensure teams are aware of where to look for reliable and accurate nutrition information and encourage their interest in the topic as part of continuing professional development exercises

look to engage with government health campaigns including Better Health and Healthier Families and have the promotional material in key locations for staff and patients. Campaign resources can be ordered from the Campaign Resource Centre website

make contact with local dietetic teams and arrange continuing professional development (CPD) sessions to upskill staff with relevant healthy eating advice specific to your patients, for example relevant supplements for specific patient groups and how to refer appropriate patients into their service

support staff to complete nutrition courses accredited by the Association for Nutrition - this learning could be incorporated as part of CPD activities or for staff using study leave

support staff to engage with behaviour change training using the Making Every Contact Count approach

If you're a senior or strategic leader you should:

Understanding local needs

The Public Health Outcomes Framework reports quarterly on key health outcomes, including the percentage of the population in a given region who meet the 5 a day recommendation or are overweight.

The Health Survey for England looks at overall trends for several health outcomes including overweight and obesity and breaks them down into regions of the country.

Further reading, resources and good practice

Government cannot verify the content of external websites.

Advice for patients and the public

Training for non-nutrition professionals

British Dietetic Association

Others

Good practice example: healthy vending trial

In 2019, Leeds City Council carried out a healthier vending trial in 18 machines across its council-owned leisure centres. An increase in the availability of healthier products (savoury snacks, confectionery and other snack options) was achieved by introducing nutrition criteria based on the Government Buying Standards for food and catering services and government sugar reduction guidelines.

The project resulted in over 11,000 fewer calories purchased on average per vending machine per week and a significant decrease in overall fat, saturated fat, sugar and salt vended compared to baseline. The research also found there was no overall reduction in sales.

See the Food active blog for further information about the trial.

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This guide is part of All Our Health, a resource which helps health and care professionals and the wider public health workforce prevent ill health and promote wellbeing as part of their everyday work. The information in this module is aimed at the general population and will help frontline staff promote the benefits of a healthy, balanced diet.

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All schools: School Zone Resources for PSHE

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All schools: School Zone Resources for PSHE

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Welcome to the new home for School Zone

Our look has changed but you can still find our flexible teaching resources for both primary and secondary schools. They cover a range of topics including nutrition, physical activity and mental wellbeing.

You will need to register for an account and sign in to download School Zone resources. This is free and quick to do.

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Explore our flexible teaching resources for both primary and secondary schools. They cover a range of different topics including nutrition, physical activity and mental wellbeing.

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Please give your feedback on this resource pack by filling out this short form to let us know how you have used the resource pack and how we can improve it.

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Easily create surveys and polls to collect customer feedback, measure employee satisfaction, and organize team events.

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All schools: Healthy belly, health brain

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All schools: Healthy belly, health brain

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introduce the importance of gut health in your lessons

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Children’s nutrition solved. When kids discover their Belly Bugs, they want to feed them fruit & veg. Say hello to happy, healthy mealtimes.

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All schools: Tips to increase free school meals uptake

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All schools: Tips to increase free school meals uptake

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Primary: Eat them to defeat them campaign

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Primary: Eat them to defeat them campaign

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Skip to content

Eat Them to Defeat Them is set to return in February 2024.

Early registration for primary and special schools is now open.

With special thanks to

Adam&Eve/DDB, Essence Global, iFour, KPM Group, Yada Yada, Natt Media, IRI Wordlwide, Acast, Spotify, First News, Mail Metro Media, Hearst, Captify, Mumsnet, Immediate Media, Daily Mail, Telegraph, The I, Ocean Outdoor, Clear Channel and JC Decaux and to the thousands of schools, teachers, caterers, public health professionals, chefs, campaigners and veg lovers who support us on social media and in schools and communities and to the millions of parents and kids tucking in to all those lovely veg.

Copyright 2023 - VegPower

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Find out more about Eat Them To Defeat Them, the multi-award-winning ad campaign and schools' programme proven to get kids eating more veg!

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Secondary and Primary: Thriving Nottingham Schools offer

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Secondary and Primary: Thriving Nottingham Schools offer

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What is on offer to schools for free from funded by Nottingham Council and provided by Thriving Nottingham

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Thriving Nottingham, Children, Young People and Families (3)

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There are a range of resources we have developed to support various GULP campaign, a selection of which appear below. We can develop resources to meet your requirements, please get in touch for more information by contacting info@foodactive.org.uk

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Primary and Secondary: School foods standards checklists

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Primary and Secondary: School foods standards checklists

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Want to know if your food provision meets the school food standards? This checklists is a great place to start.

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Primary and secondary (Y 7&8) Healthy lunch box resources

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Primary and secondary (Y 7&8) Healthy lunch box resources

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A good resource to get children thinking about how healthy their lunchboxes actually are

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Health packed lunches for children resource 2

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A helpful resource from food a fact of life to help parents think about how healthy their children's lunchbox actually is

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Glasshouses Primary School – Pupil Voice Case Study

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Glasshouses Primary School – Pupil Voice Case Study

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This school used pupil consultation to redesign lunchtime experiences, including seating arrangements and quiet zones. Pupils also led initiatives like “Game of the Day” and healthy snack tuck shops.

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 St John Lloyd RC Primary School – “The Edible Garden” (Wales)

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 St John Lloyd RC Primary School – “The Edible Garden” (Wales)

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Pupils were involved in growing, preparing, cooking, and eating produce.

Integrated into the curriculum across subjects.

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Maytree Nursery School & Children’s Centre – Lambeth, London

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Maytree Nursery School & Children’s Centre – Lambeth, London

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Created an edible garden with a School Garden Grant.

Children and families involved in planting, harvesting, cooking, and eating.

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Shared Garden Spaces in Scottish Primary Schools

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Shared Garden Spaces in Scottish Primary Schools

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Pupils designed and created gardens themselves.

Gardens used as co-produced curriculum spaces.

Enhanced engagement, wellbeing, and achievement.

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 Newcastle Primary School – After-School Club

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 Newcastle Primary School – After-School Club

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Project: Rethink Food – Agents of Change Programme

Pupils explored health, sustainability, and wellbeing through interactive sessions.

Created a “healthy snacks challenge”, recycling stations, and promoted sustainable lunchboxes.

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After School Club Case Study – Rethink Food – Food Education

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After-School Club at Newcastle Primary School Engages with Rethink Food’s ‘Agents of Change’ Programme

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Djanogly Sherwood Academy – Hydroponic Growing Project (Nottingham)

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Djanogly Sherwood Academy – Hydroponic Growing Project (Nottingham)

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Student-led initiative: Pupils at this urban primary school, which lacks green space, proposed installing a hydroponic growing system in the playground.

They researched soil-free growing methods and discovered HydroVeg, a local business that builds kits from recycled materials and provides educational resources.

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Djanogly Sherwood Academy - Lets Go Zero

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Students at this urban primary school in Nottingham came up with the idea to install a hydroponic growing system in the playground so they could grow their

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2026 Primary Healthy eating Statutory Content

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2026 Primary Healthy eating Statutory Content

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Primary: Healthy eating

Curriculum content:

1.     What constitutes a healthy diet (including understanding calories and other nutritional content).

2.     Understanding the importance of a healthy relationship with food.

3.     The principles of planning and preparing a range of healthy meals.

The characteristics of a poor diet and risks associated with unhealthy eating (including, for example, obesity and tooth decay) and other behaviours (e.g. the impact of alcohol on diet or health).

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2026 Secondary Healthy Eating Secondary content

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2026 Secondary Healthy Eating Secondary content

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Secondary Healthy eating

Curriculum content:

1.     How to maintain healthy eating and the links between a poor diet and health risks, including tooth decay, unhealthy weight gain, and cardiovascular disease.

2.     The risks of unhealthy weight gain, including increased risks of cancer, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

3. The impacts of alcohol on diet and unhealthy weight gain.

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Free teaching resources, thoughtfully crafted by teachers for classroom needs.

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Free teaching resources, thoughtfully crafted by teachers for classroom needs.

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Free KS1 Cooking and nutrition teaching resources | Y1 & 2 | Oak National Academy

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Get fully sequenced teaching resources and lesson plans in KS1 Cooking and nutrition