´óÏó´«Ã½

The New Year is a time when many people decide to sign-up at the gym for a more healthy lifestyle.

For many, it's a big change in the daily routine - but if those who take up the challenge can keep focused, there are many long-term benefits.

Lots of people put on a few pounds over Christmas, but in fact more than half of those living in East Anglia are overweight, with one in four people clinically obese.

To help Norfolk eat its way to a healthier 2008, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio Norfolk has been looking at how easy, cheap and simple changes to everyday eating can improve your health.

Noodle challenge

Caroline Seaman, the food and nutrition co-ordinator for Norfolk Primary Care Trust, challenged the county to make a noodle snack in less than 20 minutes while on-air with morning show presenters Graham Barnard and Karen Buchanan.

Cooking in the radio studio

"It's vital that we include at least five portions of fruit or vegetables into our daily diet. It's easy, cheap and everyone can do it, it's knowing how to that's the hurdle," said Caroline.

"Increasing your daily fruit and vegetable portions reduces the risk of heart disease, but also strokes and some cancers. They're full of important nutrients and there's such a variety of them available.

"The quick and healthy noodle snack is an ideal meal for everyone, if you live alone, or even for the family," she added.

Small changes make a big difference

Changing your diet to help change how you look can also boost your confidence.

Kelsey Kidd, 14, from Norwich, was really unhappy 12 months ago - she was putting on weight and needed to do something about it.

Her mother, Tanya, took her to see their GP who referred her to dietician Anna Suckling, who recommended Kelsey joined a free after-school weight management course.

Kelsey has now completed the programme and is happier, more confident and has lost weight. She now belongs to a dance group and has won several awards.

"Now I can do more stuff, and feel more confident," said Kelsey.

"If you feel how I felt, knowing you're putting on weight, you've got to do something about it. The changes were easy. It involved reducing my meal portions, cutting out crisps and doing more sport," she added.

Working in partnership with the CSV Norfolk Action Desk and the Department Of Health, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio Norfolk has produced a free information pack including many recipes, tips and CD-rom.

For your free information packÌýcall 01603 631631.