Healthy lifestyle

This section provides useful information and tips on how to lead a healthy life through healthy eating habits, regular exercise and a balanced lifestyle.

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Healthy eating

Get healthy eating tips and advice, such as good foods swaps, and how to follow a balanced diet and reduce your sugar intake.

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Vitamins and minerals

Find out about the vitamins and minerals that are essential for your health, where you can find them and when you may need to take supplements.

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FoodSwitch App

The FoodSwitch app works by using your mobile phone camera to scan the barcode of a packaged food. It then uses science-based algorithms to calculate and then display simple nutrition profiles of the food.

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How to eat healthily on a budget

Simple budget-friendly tips to help meet your nutritional needs.

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How to meet your iron needs - infographic

Need help getting enough iron? Check out this infographic to ensure you get an adequate iron intake with a balanced diet.

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Changes to your appetite

Eating more or less than usual, and gaining or losing weight suddenly may be a sign you need to see a doctor. Learn more on why your appetite changes.

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Scurvy

Scurvy affects people who do not get enough vitamin C. Learn about causes, symptoms, treatments, and how changes to your diet can prevent scurvy.

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How to read food labels

Food labels contain detailed nutrition information about packaged foods. Learn how to make informed decisions when shopping for food for your family.

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Garcinia cambogia

Garcinia cambogia is a tropical fruit with claims to help weight loss. Separate myth from facts and follow links to other ways of managing weight.

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Foods high in zinc

Foods high in zinc include seafood, red meat, poultry and dairy products. Learn which foods help you get enough zinc in your diet.

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Glycaemic index (GI)

The glycaemic index (GI) is a ranking of carbohydrate foods based on their immediate effect on blood glucose (blood sugar) levels. Learn more here.

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Ultra-processed foods: what are they and which ones should I avoid?

Ultra-processed foods are ready-to-eat products made in factories, mostly, lacking the nutrients you need for good health. Here’s a list.

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Foods high in potassium

People need potassium in their diet so nerves and muscles function properly. Learn about which foods are good sources of potassium.

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The real reasons why soup is good for you

Get tips on how to make your soups even more nutritious and exciting this winter, and find out whether chicken soup can, in fact, cure the common cold.

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Potassium deficiency

Potassium is a mineral that helps nerves and muscles function properly. Read more about potassium deficiency, symptoms, diagnosis and causes.

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Periods while breastfeeding

Many factors determine when your period will return if you're breastfeeding. Learn more about how breastfeeding affects your menstrual cycle.

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Antioxidants

Antioxidants can neutralise free radicals in your body. Find out about foods high in antioxidants and when you should consider taking supplements.

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Magnesium and your health

Magnesium is a nutrient essential for healthy muscles, nerves, bones and blood sugar levels. Read about the benefits of magnesium.

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Foods high in magnesium

Magnesium is a mineral essential for healthy muscles, nerves, bones and blood sugar levels. Find out which foods are high in magnesium.

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Vitamin D test

Vitamin D is important for bone health. A vitamin D blood test checks the level of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D in your blood – find out more here.

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Junk food and your health

Eating junk food, and having sweet drinks, can lead to short and long-term health complications such as weight gain, diabetes and heart problems.

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A balanced diet

It's important to eat a balanced diet. Make sure you choose foods from the 5 food groups. The amounts you need vary depending on your life stage.

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Healthy food swaps

Need help to meet your health goals such as reducing your blood pressure or cholesterol? See healthdirect’s list of healthier food alternatives.

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Zinc deficiency

Zinc deficiency is when the body does not have enough of the mineral zinc. Read more about zinc deficiency symptoms, diagnosis and causes.

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Potassium and your health

Potassium is a mineral that your body needs so nerves and muscles function well. Read more on the signs of having too much or too little potassium.

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Protein

Getting your daily protein is essential to a healthy diet, especially at certain times of your life when your cells need to grow or repair.

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Malnutrition

Malnutrition is when your diet does not contain the right amount of nutrients needed to maintain healthy body function. Learn the risks and treatment.

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Probiotics

Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for your digestive and immune systems. They’re naturally found in food or taken as supplements.

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Intermittent fasting

Intermittent fasting is a dietary trend where you eat normally at specific times and fast at others. Find out if it is suitable for you.

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