It is important to maintain a balanced diet to keep healthy.

Personal trainer Gary Matthews has put these guidelines together to help you change your eating habits for the better.

Do's:

• Eat breakfast
  
• Drink - water!! (at least 8 glasses a day)
• Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables (not too many bananas)
• Eat a proportion of oily fish one to three days a week. E.g. Salmon, Mackerel (joint benefits).
• Eat lean cuts of meat only (chicken & beef)
• Eat little amounts of food often, rather than two big meals a day for example

Don'ts:

• Drink alcohol (or at least cut down)
• Eat dairy products (especially cheese & butter)
• Eat too much wheat (have wheat in only one meal per day)
• Eat late (ensure it is always before 8pm)
• Eat carbohydrates with your last meal of the day
• Eat chocolate, sweets and pastries
• Drink fizzy drinks

Cautions:

• Some things labelled 'Low Fat' may still be high in sugar.
• Avoid ready cooked meals - eat fresh when ever possible.
  

All content within BBC Suffolk is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. The BBC is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made by a user based on the content of the BBC Suffolk website. The BBC is not liable for the contents of any external internet sites listed, nor does it endorse any commercial product or service mentioned or advised on any of the sites. Always consult your own GP if you're in any way concerned about your health.

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