Healthy Eating
Healthy eating is a key part of a sustainable diet and maintaining good physical and mental health. Globally obesity and other diet-related ill-health such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes are on the rise, and in the UK it’s estimated that obesity affects around 1 in every 4 adults, which increases the risk of developing these serious health conditions.
We live in a society with increased availability of cheap processed food and ready meals, often filled with hidden sugars and confusing labels. Clever and widespread advertising and the promotion of packaged and processed food has kept this at the forefront of our minds, with healthier food often sold as a luxury way of life, rather than what we should base our diets around.
However we have the power to change this narrative and embrace healthy eating as the norm. By making simple changes to our habits, such as cooking from scratch, using local and seasonal ingredients, and swapping out artificial sugars, we can make a big difference to ours and our communities health. And eating healthy is beneficial in more ways than just your health. For instance, by increasing the amount of veg we grow, cook and eat in Cambridge, we also reduce our impact on climate change and support the local economy by buying seasonal produce from local producers, becoming part of a sustainable community. While it can be difficult to take the leap, we have provided some helpful guidance to get you started.
Actions you can take
Eat more veg
Eat a predominantly plant-based diet
Cut down on your sugar intake, such as swapping sweets for fruit, fizzy drinks for water, and reading the labels on processed food to check for hidden sugars
Eat the seasons
Cook from scratch so you know exactly what is in your meal
Ensure healthy food for all - donate to our community work
Get the whole family involved in cooking - have them help with food preparation
If you are a Healthy Start Voucher recipient, exchange for weekly organic veg as part of the Healthy Start Fruit and Veg box scheme.
Cambridge Sustainable Food Guidance
Explore our Sustainable Food Directory to discover where you can buy your healthy essentials and your local, independent veg retailers.
Our Thyme to cook recipe book filled with 7 easy to follow, low cost recipes to cook with the family.
Explore our veg cities webpage for veg filled with recipe inspiration and a guide to eat the rainbow.
If you are pregnant or have a child under four years old you could be entitled to Healthy Start Vouchers to pay for food, milk and vitamins, keeping you and your family healthy. In partnership with Cambridge Food Hub and Cambridge Organic Food Company we run a Healthy Start fruit and Veg Box scheme, where Healthy Start vouchers recipients can exchange their voucher plus a £2 membership fee for a weekly box of organic fruit and veg. More information here
If you need assistance accessing healthy and affordable food in Cambridge our Community Food Map compiles available resources across the city.
External Guidance
Discover which fruit and vegetables are in season.
Use the Eatwell Guide to help you get a balance of healthier and more sustainable food.
Get sugar smart with Change 4 Life food facts, recipes and interactive sugar calculator.
Discover how to get your kids eating more veg on VegPower’s website food facts, recipes and interactive sugar calculator.
Discover the secret names of sugar.
Healthy Eating in Cambridge
