Food plays a major role in our lives and contributes to our physical health and wellbeing.  Getting reliable and practical advice as a consumer shopping for food, understanding labels and how what we eat can affect our health is tremendously important. 

Where and how you buy food can make a real difference to your wellbeing.  You can eat well on a tight budget; a lack of cash doesn't mean you can't eat well, but it will take a little more time and effort as you pay more for convenience. 

Buying Food
 
Don't buy everything at an expensive supermarket; use local shops and budget supermarkets; and remember that the larger supermarket chains often have useful basic ranges.   Avoid or keep to a minimum of ready meals and takeaway foods, as well as being expensive they are often unhealthy and high in saturated fat, salt and sugar.  Remember that a lot of great food is produced locally and by shopping local you are helping your community.

Try to put some effort into how you shop and buy food.  Convenience tends to be the most expensive option, but shopping around takes time.

Food labels

Food labels are a useful source of information but they can be very confusing with all their different terms and symbols.  A number of supermarkets and food manufacturers are using traffic light labels on some food products to help you make your choice.Read and understand the labels.

The Food Standards Agency provides advice and information to the public and Government on food safety, nutrition and diet. It also protects consumers through effective food enforcement and monitoring. 

020 7276 8000  www.food.gov.uk

Five a Day

Fruit and vegetables help set you up for a healthier lifestyle. They're packed with vitamins and minerals and a source of fibre and antioxidants.  They can help you maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and some cancers.

To get the best health benefits, you are recommended to eat five portions a day to include a combination of a variety of fruit and vegetables. You can find more information on the websites listed below.

www.5aday.nhs.uk
www.tasteforhealth.com
www.healthatworkcentre.org.uk

Fairtrade

Fairtrade is a trading partnership that seeks improvement in international trade to support producers and workers.  Buying Fairtrade products means you can be assured that the supplier will receive better prices, decent working conditions and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world.  Look for the Fairtrade mark on packaging.
Consider buying food carrying the Fairtrade mark.
The Fairtrade Foundation is the independent non-profit organisation that licenses use of the FAIRTRADE Mark on products in the UK in accordance with internationally agreed Fairtrade standards.  For more information contact the Foundation.

020 7405 5942  www.fairtrade.org.uk

Meals on wheels

In Liverpool there is a frozen meals service for people over 65 provided by Wiltshire Farmfoods. Meals are delivered fortnightly to homes for you to store and cook as required.  The service is available on request to anyone in the city and there is no assessment process.  There is a charge for each meal that is prepared to the highest standards and is nutritionally balanced.

If you or someone you know is aged over 65, use the Frozen Meals Service to ensure you are getting a nutritionally balanced and cost effective meal.

Meals on Wheels - if you or a friend or neighbour wish to receive frozen meals through the Frozen Meals and Wheels service then contact Careline

0151 233 3800  www.liverpool.gov.uk