Eat a heart-healthy diet

Eat breakfast

People who have breakfast tend to be slimmer than those who don’t. An oat-based choice like porridge contains soluble fibre, which can help to lower cholesterol, too.

• Try our 5 ways to brighten up your breakfast.
• Get porridge inspiration with our 14 delicious heart-healthy porridge ideas.

Use oil, not butter

Replacing saturated fats like butter, lard and ghee with unsaturated oils like rapeseed, sunflower and olive oils, plus spreads that contain them, will help keep your cholesterol in check.

• Read more about different types of fats
• Take our saturated fat quiz - can you spot the hidden fats? 

Go bananas

Swap your 11am biscuit for a piece of fruit, which will help you towards your 5-a-day. It’s also low in fat and is a great source of fibre.

• Can you eat too much fruit? Read our expert's view.

Check the small print

Make sure you understand nutritional information on food packaging with the help of our article about new food labels.

• Read more about food labelling.

Feast on fish

Fish is a good source of vitamins, minerals and protein and oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring, anchovies and sardines contains omega-3 fats which may help to protect your heart. Eat two portions of fish each week, one of which should be oily. Try baked fishcakes or fish pie if you’re not used to the taste.

• Read more about oily fish.
• Get our recipe for fisherman's pie.

Vary your veg

Fruit and vegetables aren’t boring, but eating the same ones day in, day out, is! Experiment with different types and search for new recipes to keep meals interesting.

• Watch our video and discover how to eat more vegetables without noticing.
• Follow our 5 steps to sustainable weight loss.
• Learn how to stay slim for life