Woman in a smock holding a wooden box containing lettuce, radishes, carrots and other vegetables.

Diet and exercise

A wholesome diet and plenty of exercise promote health and well-being. But what is a healthy diet? How much and how hard should you exercise each day? This topic area provides information about the food pyramid and the way that small changes to our everyday behavior can sometimes have great benefits.

Health through exercise: group of four young people going jogging together in a park.

Healthy through exercise – every step counts

Exercise keeps the body healthy and fit. People who are physically active boost their own long-term well-being and health.

Healthy eating – a balanced and varied diet

Healthy eating can boost overall health and help prevent certain illnesses. A healthy diet includes plenty of fruit, vegetables and whole grains, and is low in sugar and salt.

In the background: a laboratory worker examines samples under a microscope. In the foreground: several tomatoes and a knife.

Safe food: a look at undesirable substances

Food can contain substances that are harmful to health. What are they, where are they found and how can people protect themselves?

Food preparation – a pan on a gas oven. Someone is holding the pan in one hand and a wooden spoon in the other.

Food hygiene – don’t give germs a chance

Food can contain germs that cause disease. However, most food-related infections can be avoided with simple hygiene measures.

Pregnant woman standing in the kitchen unpacking groceries. She has bought lots of loose, unpackaged fresh fruit and vegetables.

Nutrition during pregnancy

An unborn child needs many different nutrients and vitamins to grow. How can expectant mothers positively influence their children’s development through nutrition?

Sugar: wooden scoop filled with sugar crystals. Several sugar cubes are lying to the right and left of the scoop.

Sugar: as bad as its reputation?

Sugar, energy supplier: not only does the brain need it, but every cell of the body too. So why does sugar have such a bad reputation?

Eating disorder: underweight woman standing on scales with her back to a full-size mirror.

Eating disorders: when food becomes a problem

There are various kinds of eating disorders including anorexia, bulimia (binge-purge syndrome) and binge-eating disorder.

Overweight: man measuring his waist with a measuring tape which he is holding in front of his stomach with both hands.

Overweight – physical and psychological effects

Being overweight is common and can become a health problem. A balanced, whole-food diet combined with physical activity can help.

A young woman who is severely underweight has drawn up her top and is cupping her waist with both hands and looking at herself in the mirror.

Underweight – when too little weight is harmful to health

Being underweight is not always a cause for concern. However, people who are very underweight often lack important nutrients and minerals. This can have several consequences.