Preventive and preventive healthcare

A healthy diet is important for almost all areas of our body and influences our well-being. Nutrition affects us all, every day, and has a huge impact on our health.

Why is a healthy diet so important?

Our body is dependent on a balanced supply of nutrients. Vitamins, minerals, proteins, healthy fats and complex carbohydrates ensure that organs, muscles and our brain function optimally. If we eat the wrong food on a permanent basis, the body lacks this foundation and diseases can develop.

What are the consequences of an unhealthy diet?

Today, many diseases are among the most common causes of premature death and chronic complaints, including

• Type 2 diabetes, which is strongly linked to obesity and sugar consumption
• Cardiovascular diseases, e.g. high blood pressure or heart attack
• Weight gain and obesity (adiposity)
• Lipid metabolism disorders, e.g. high cholesterol levels
• Increased risk of cancer, e.g. bowel cancer

These diseases can be influenced by our lifestyle.

What does healthy eating mean?

• Sufficient sugar-free drinks – still or sparkling water or tea without sugar
• Plenty of fruit and vegetables – ideally 3 portions of vegetables and 2 portions of fruit
• Cereals and potatoes – several portions daily (prefer wholemeal – less white flour)
• Dairy products – 2 servings daily
• Protein – prefer plant-based proteins such as beans, lentils or nuts; eggs 2–3 times a week, fish or meat 1–2 times a week
• Fats and oils – small amounts of high-quality fats and oils, such as rapeseed, olive or linseed oil

• Sweets and snacks – enjoy them in moderation

This is not about prohibitions, but about conscious decisions and a balanced relationship.

The food pyramid

The food pyramid supports you in practical implementation. It is aimed at healthy adults who eat plant and animal-based foods. Vegetarians, children and young people can also use the food pyramid as a guide when choosing foods and the rough proportions.

Benefits of a healthy diet

A healthy diet not only has a preventative effect, it also has immediate positive effects:

• Better concentration
• more energy
• Stronger defence
• a healthy body weight
• Mental health

• Longer life

A healthy diet is an easy way to prevent illness. If you have any questions, please get in touch with the Health Service via the contact person named on this page.

Addiction can affect anyone - regardless of age, background and life situation. The aim of addiction prevention is to strengthen the health of the population, inform people about risks at an early stage and empower people at all stages of life.

What does addiction prevention mean?

Addiction prevention encompasses all measures that help to prevent the development of problematic or addictive behaviour or to identify it at an early stage. This includes not only illegal drugs, but also alcohol, nicotine, medication, gambling, media and internet addiction.

The focus is on:

• Strengthening and promoting life skills
• Promoting the responsible use of luxury and consumer goods
• Support for families, schools, clubs and professionals

If your own consumption or that of a relative is already causing concern or questions arise, the Salzland district and various contact points are available for counselling, support and help - confidentially, free of charge and anonymously if desired.

We also offer training and prevention programmes on the subject of addiction, which aim to educate people at an early stage and prevent problematic developments. Our measures are aimed in particular at schools and other educational and social institutions and support you in recognising risks at an early stage and taking preventative action.

Counselling and support services in the Salzland district

• AWO Kreisverband Salzland e. V. - Specialist centre for addiction prevention and addiction counselling
• Diakonie-Suchthilfe Bethanien - Addiction counselling centres
• Salzlandkreis - Addiction help guide
• Digital counselling: DigiSucht - Suchtberatung.digital
• Jobcenter Salzlandkreis - Search counselling

Protect your health at high temperatures and prevent risks

Heatwaves are also increasing noticeably in our district. Persistently high temperatures can have a considerable impact on health - especially the health of older people, infants and young children, people with pre-existing conditions, people in need of care, pregnant women and employees in public spaces.

Important objectives of heat protection measures are to recognise health risks at an early stage and to implement effective protective measures.

Heat protection means informing yourself in good time, preparing and protecting yourself before damage to your health occurs.

Heat protection does not prevent a hot day, but it reduces stress and protects against health consequences such as overheating, circulatory problems or dehydration.

Preventive measures

• Remember to use adequate skin protection.
  • Use sun cream before the damage occurs.
• Think about headgear and airy clothing.
• Remember to drink enough and avoid sugary and alcoholic drinks.
• Eat a light diet.
• Shift exercise times to the morning and evening.
• Ventilate the rooms early in the morning and in the evening.
• Close the windows during the day and darken the sunny side.

• Avoid the midday sun.

Here you will find further information and materials on the subject of heat protection and prevention:

If you have any questions or need help on this topic, please do not hesitate to contact us.