PEOPLE in Somerset are being encouraged to make sure they eat well and avoid foods high in sugar, saturated fat, salt and processed ingredients in order to stay healthy.

Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) says that eating healthily boosts the immune system and helps with weight loss – unlike processed food such as cakes, crisps, burgers and sausages

Minehead GP and CCG chairman Dr Ed Ford said: “Processed foods can be very high in salt, saturated fat and sugar. Eating these items in moderation is OK, but we should try to keep our consumption of them to a minimum.

“It is much better for us to eat unprocessed foods which contain high levels of nutrients and fibre, such as fruit and vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, legumes, unprocessed fish and meat, and starchy foods such as brown rice, wholewheat pasta, and brown, wholemeal or higher fibre white bread.

“The less processed the food you eat is and the more balanced your diet, the better.”

Dr Ford said that finding the time to prep meals can really help get a better control over diet.

He added: “Convenience is one of the main reasons why we eat unhealthily, so if you make things easier by setting a meal plan for the week, or prepping your lunches over the weekend, you may in turn find it easier to avoid a processed lunch.”

A free 12-week diet and exercise plan can be downloaded from the NHS Live Well website.

Advice includes:

* Eat at least five portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day.

* Base meals on higher fibre starchy foods like potatoes, bread, rice or pasta.

* Have some dairy or dairy alternatives, such as soya drinks.

* Eat some beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other protein.

* Choose unsaturated oils and spreads, and eat them in small amounts.

* Drink plenty of fluids – at least six to eight glasses a day.

More health-related stories are in this week’s Free Press.