The Nutrition team work with colleagues and partners from across the voluntary, local authority and NHS sectors and liaise closely with Oral Health and Health Promotion teams. Our work is driven by local and national policy documents. We engage with local communities to empower and support healthier food choices, using a person centred approach and aim to improve knowledge, skills and access to resources and training around food and nutrition.
Community Nutrition
- Choose to Lose…and keep weight off for good!
- Choose To Lose @ Work
- Focus on your Family
- Community Food Development
- Maternal, Infant and Early Years Nutrition
- Food and Health Inequalities
- Food in Schools
- Workplace Nutrition
- Multi-Cultural Nutrition
- Nutrition Resources
Find out more about the work our team has been involved in over the past year:
New Nutrition Resources
New How to…Recipe sheets
Our new set of ‘How to…’ recipes sheets have been launched and are available to download below. They are packed full of tasty, simple and cheap recipes that are easy and quick to prepare. You only need a few basic ingredients to make these healthy and 
tasty meals. The recipe sheets also have useful tips and a notes section which can be used to plan your shopping list.
- How to – Soups..
- How to – Lunches..
- How to – Mains..
- How to – Veggies..
- How to – Fish..
- How to – Puddings..
Managing my weight during my pregnancy – Leaflet
This leaflet is aimed at pregnant women with a BMI of 30 or over. The leaflet encourages pregnant women to start thinking about making healthier food and lifestyle choices. It reinforces key healthy eating messages and encourages women to self record and make small changes that can be built easily into everyday routine. Weight loss is not recommended during pregnancy, however it is important you don’t gain too much weight during pregnancy.
Thinking about breastfeeding your baby?
Find out more about breastfeeding support groups running throughout Forth Valley:
- Local Breastfeeding Groups – NHS Forth Valley
- Breastfeeding – BDA Factsheet.
- Visit feedgood.scot a mobile friendly website for parents and health professional to find all the information they need about breastfeeding and other feeding options. From step-by-step ‘how to’ guides and experiences of real mums, to video clips and pictures to help with feeding.
- National Breast Feeding Helpline – 0300 100 0212
For further information on this scheme or to order resources email Lesley Hetherington Community Dietitian / Infant Feeding Co-ordinator.
National Salt Awareness Week – 12th – 18th March 2018
Many people are aware that eating too much salt is bad for their health, but think that it’s only a cause for concern in our later years. This isn’t true, as eating too much salt during childhood increases blood pressure which then tracks into adulthood and later life, increasing the risk of strokes and heart attacks. That’s why it’s so important to reduce salt intake across all ages.
In the UK we currently eat more salt than is recommended, so we are encouraging individuals to make some small, simple changes to their eating and buying habits and when they can choose foods that are lower in salt.
#6ways6grams
- Drain and rinse canned vegetables and eat more fresh fruit and veg
- Gradually add less salt to your recipes
- Take salt and salty sauces off the table
- Use herbs, spices, garlic and citrus in place of salt to add favour to your food
- Check food labels before you buy and choose less salty options
- Use FoodSwitch and other free health apps to help make healthier food choices.
For more information visit NHS Choices Salt – The Facts
Download the free resources below and create a display for your workplace kitchen or dining area:
- Leaflet – Salt Intake and the health of your Children
- Poster – 6 Ways to 6 Grams
- Low Salt Shopping Guide
New Vitamin D Recommendations In Scotland
New vitamin D recommendations have been developed by the Scottish Government for parents and healthcare professionals.
It is recommended that EVERYONE (all adults and children) age 5 years and above in the UK should take a 10 microgram vitamin D supplement daily, particularly during the winter months (October – March).
However there are groups who should take a vitamin D supplement all year round.
These groups include:
- pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
- children under 5 years of age.
- People from minority ethnic groups with dark skin as those of African, African – Carribean and South Asian origin.
- People who are not exposed to much sunlight , such as frail or housebound individuals or those that cover their skin for cultural reasons.
Read more about Vitamin D – Scottish Government.
**New Vitamin D recommendation information for new parents
Breastfed babies from birth up to one year of age should be given a supplement of 8.5 to 10 micrograms vitamin D per day.
Babies who are formula fed do not require vitamin D if they are having 500ml/day of infant formula or more, as infant formula already has added vitamin D.
- New Vitamin D recommendation information for parents – This leaflet explains the benefits of getting enough Vitamin D for infants from birth to six months and provides advice and support for parents.
- Vitamin D recommendations for Health Professionals
- Healthy Start vitamins are recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women and infants.
- Healthy Start Leaflet – Leaflet highlights where to get Healthy Start vitamin supplements locally. Alternatively ask your midwife or health visitor.
Community Nutrition in the Spotlight
Find out more about our nutrition agenda, who we work with and our main work strands:
