Poor diet and physical inactivity are linked to major causes of illness and death. In Bermuda, these issues are especially prevalent. According to STEPS to a Well Bermuda 2014:  

• 75% of adults are overweight or obese 

• 12% reported having diabetes 

• 33% reported hypertension or high blood pressure 

• 34% reported high cholesterol  

• 27% do not meet the current World Health Organization recommendations of physical activity for health 

All of these factors are influenced by lifestyle choices. Healthy eating patterns and regular physical activity are essential for normal growth and development and for reducing the risk of chronic diseases. To correct these problems, many Bermudians must make significant changes in their eating habits and lifestyles. 

Eat well guidelines 

But there’s help. The Department of Health, the Bermuda Hospitals Board, and the Bermuda Dietitians Association have worked together to produce Eat Well Bermuda’s dietary guidelines. This series of pamphlets and posters can help you make healthy choices for every meal. All of these health tools are available in PDF format.  

Start by looking at the

 and the

, both of which show you the right balance of fruits and veggies to starches and meats. Set and follow a

 to establish—and keep—good habits.  

Then read and regularly refer to pamphlets on the following topics for more detailed information on eating and living well: 

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  Careers in Public Health (6.48 MB)
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  Career Pathway to a Dietetic Career (171.78 KB)

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  Exercise (118.28 KB)
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  Fats (223.1 KB)
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  Fiber.pdf (201.68 KB)
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  Food-groups.pdf (1.55 MB)
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  Fruits and Vegetables (163.21 KB)
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  How-to-read-food-labels.pdf (458.23 KB)
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  Low Fat Dairy or Calcium Rich Alternatives (171.64 KB)
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  Meat or Meat Alternatives (169.36 KB)

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  Menu-planner.pdf (768.53 KB)
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  Preparing-healthy-lunches-for-preschoolers.pdf (1.79 MB)
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  Preparing-healthy-lunches-for-primary-students.pdf (612.04 KB)
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  Salt (155.98 KB)
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  Simple Sugars (123.22 KB)
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  Starches and Grains (154.13 KB)
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  Stretch-your-dollar-Shopping-list-for-a-family-of-four.pdf (757.63 KB)
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  Water (169.22 KB)

ABCs of healthy eating  

Did you know that you could lower your risk for heart disease, stroke, and cancer just by eating the “ABC way”? Here’s how: eat more of the following foods daily. 

A: antioxidant-rich foods 

• Broccoli 

• Cabbage  

• Carrots   

• Dark green vegetables 

• Orange fruits and vegetables  

B: B-vitamin-rich foods  

• Cereals 

• Fish 

• Lean meats 

• Legumes 

• Pasta 

• Poultry 

• Whole grain breads 

C: Calcium-rich foods 

• Calcium-fortified soymilk and juices 

• Collard greens 

• Dairy foods