Keeping well and active
Eating Well
Eating a healthy, balanced diet is important to maintain good health, and a healthy weight. Choosing healthier foods is easier than you might think. There are lots of cheap and tasty ways you and your family can eat well every day.
One You Barnet has lots of tools to help you eat better and more ways to eat healthily in Barnet.
The Eatwell Guide
The Eatwell Guide was created to highlight the proportions different food groups should be as a part of a healthy, balanced diet. Not all food groups need to be included with every meal, however you should aim for balance across the day or week.
The Eatwell Guide applies to almost everyone, except for children under 2 because they have different nutritional needs. Children aged 2 to 5, should be eating food groups in the proportions shown on the Eatwell Guide, as they gradually move to eating the same foods as the rest of the family.
Find the guide and more information about eating well on the NHS website.
Cooking on a budget
Healthier eating doesn’t have to expensive. There are many ways to eat healthier and save money. The NHS have produced 20 tips to eat well for less, with useful guidance on how to eat well and spend less.
BBC food has a collection of recipes that give ideas for making balanced meals on a tight budget.
Useful apps for eating well
One You Easy Meals
The One You Easy Meals App is a way to find easy meal ideas and to learn more about healthier food choices. The app also gives cooking tips and recipes. Find it on the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.
Food Scanner App
It’s really important to know what’s really in our food and drink. The Food Scanner App helps you find out how much sugar is in your food and how to make smart swaps. Find it on the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.
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Being active
Being active is easy, fun, social and doesn’t have to be costly. There are many things you can do that don’t cost a penny.
Building activity into your day keeps your heart healthy, reduces your risk of serious illness and strengthens muscles and bones. It can also be a great way of reducing your stress levels and lifting your mood if you’re feeling down.
Ways of getting more active
- active travel (walking and cycling at least some of the way to shops, school or work. Or try taking the stairs instead of the escalator or lift)
- active recreation (dance, gardening, DIY, rambling, group walks, walking the dog, cleaning the car)
- fitness activity (joining fitness classes, power walking, jogging, cycling for fitness)
- competitive and adventurous activity (team and individual sports, outdoor pursuits)
- occupational activity (post deliverers, newspaper round, construction or landscaping work)
- active play (free range activity in parks, streets and playgrounds)
- reducing sitting (less TV and computer games).
Parks and open spaces
Visit one of our many parks and open spaces
Barnet residents are fortunate that 41% of Barnet has green space coverage, with a park or open space within one mile of the majority of homes. Whilst in the park why not make use of an Active Trail or outdoor gym when they re-open.
Our Heritage Walks are a fantastic way of exploring the borough, whilst stretching your legs and getting some fresh air.
Leisure centres
Visit one of the boroughs five leisure centres, operated by Better, including the new state of the art facilities that opened last summer at New Barnet and Barnet Copthall.
Activity finder
Find an activity that suits you by using the Get Active London activity finder.
Feel FAB
All Barnet residents are eligible for a free Fit & Active Barnet (FAB) Card, offering a range of benefits across Better leisure centres and community based activities. Register for your card now
