Your Health
News and advice from Hull Primary Care Trust

A healthier, happier you

So here we are, another new year, and another host of good intentions. Whether it is to lose some weight or take more exercise, it really is down to you to turn those good intentions into reality. With a little effort we can all eat more healthily and become more active, and specialist help is available, should you need it, to stop smoking or cut down on alcohol. (See: Where can I get help?)
Simple changes to your diet can really make a big difference. Don't skip breakfast - this really is the most important meal of the day; a healthy start, with something like porridge or muesli, will give you enough energy to last until lunchtime and make you less likely to need to nibble mid-morning.
We all know that we should be eating 5 portions of fruit or vegetables a day, but is it really that easy? Well yes, actually, it is. Almost all fruit and vegetables count towards 5-A-DAY, including fresh, frozen, chilled, canned, 100% juice and dried fruit and vegetables. You will get maximum benefits by including a variety of fruit and vegetables in your diet, as different types of fruit and vegetables contain different combinations of fibre, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. A handful of different vegetables can easily be added to curries, stir fry and stews, or why not try out our quick and simple-to-follow recipe below for a quick and tasty vegetable soup?
Getting more active doesn't have to mean pumping iron or pounding on a treadmill; not everyone can or wants to go to a gym, but simple changes to your daily routine can really make a big difference. Here are some suggestions:

• do a few minutes' activity in the TV advert breaks
• walk to the shops instead of taking the car, or if you do need to drive there, park in the space furthest from the entrance
• doing housework is a brilliant work-out – just 3 hours a week of polishing, vacuuming and scrubbing burns up to 720 calories

For more information on leading a healthier lifestyle, visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk *

VEGETABLE SOUP

INGREDIENTS
1 parsnip
3 carrots
2 leeks
1 small turnip
1 handful of shredded cabbage
1 pint of vegetable stock
Pinch of ground pepper
Bouquet garni (herb sachet) and a bay leaf

PREPARATION
Wash and peel the carrots, parsnip and turnip. Dice them into small cubes. Clean the leeks and finely slice them. Place the parsnips, carrots, turnip and stock into a large, heavy-bottomed pan and bring to the boil. Cook for 5 minutes, until slightly soft and lightly coloured. Add leeks, cabbage and stir. Cook for a further 5 minutes and then add the ground pepper, bay leaf and bouquet garni. Simmer for 10 minutes. Serve hot with a crusty bread roll.

VARIATION : use any combination of seasonal veg you like and remember, seasonal veg costs less and tastes better!
Serves 6 and each serving is 2 portions of the 5-A-DAY target.
For further information and useful tips, please visit www.5ADAY.nhs.uk *

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