NCIM Food Pyramid
Thanks to partnership funding from Heart Research UK and Subway, we were able to run a course of free to access Food for a Healthy Heart courses across Bristol (UK). As part of this project, we were able to create free resources, which also include A Healthy Food Plate and Eat a Diverse Rainbow handouts.
These are great resources to share with clients, friends and family!
What’s the Food Pyramid about?
ENJOYMENT: We strongly believe food is one of life’s true pleasures and suggest you find plenty of recipes that can be easily prepared that you enjoy. Unless you have severe food allergies/ intolerances or major health issues, do not be overly concerned about eating perfectly healthy all the time. Make healthy choices 80%-90% of the time.
HOW WE EAT: Eat mindfully wherever possible: Set the table nicely, sit down to eat and take a moment to settle yourself/ connect with the food on your plate before eating. Chew food adequately and eat as slowly/ mindfully as you can – this will help digestion enormously.
MAKING CHANGES: Start slowly: don’t overwhelm yourself by making too many changes at once. Some people find it helpful to start changing a meal at a time – perhaps starting with breakfast. If you have a healthy start to the day you are more likely to continue that way.
DIVERSITY ON YOUR PLATE: Aim to eat a variety of different plant foods each week (aim for 30+). Our bodies need a wide range of nutrients and plenty of fibre so increasing variety enables us to obtain a broader range of plant chemicals in our diet.
PREPARATION IS KEY: Batch cooking food from scratch as frequently as possible and avoid buying processed foods. This ensures we include foods in their natural state and reduces exposure to hidden sugars, preservatives, additives, plastics and unhealthy oils. Menu plan and batch cook when you have the time for busier periods.