Healthy habits and healthy hearts

Dr Chris Steele qualified in medicine in 1968 at Manchester University. From 1969 – 2004 he was a General Practitioner and senior partner of seven, in a busy South Manchester practice. After 35 years working as a GP, Chris now works as a 'Freelance Physician'.

He has lectured extensively, internationally on Smoking Cessation and Nicotine Addiction, having run his Smokers Clinic at the University Hospital Manchester for over 25 years.

He has been the resident GP on ITV's This Morning since its launch in 1988. Chris has done other extensive UK and International TV work on health issues including 'Medical Expert' on ITV's Celebrity Fit Club and ITV's Tonight with Trevor McDonald on health issues. He has written extensively on general medical issues and smoking cessation. Chris writes for both Woman and Top Santé magazines as their resident doctor. More recently he has launched his own medical/health website – thefamilyGP.com

Here on Never Too Early, Dr Chris explains what heart health and nutrition really mean.

Heart health explained

Having a healthy heart is a vital ingredient in helping you live a long and happy life – it's never too early to start your kids on the right road to good heart health. Good habits formed early can make all the difference later in life, particularly when eating healthy food and keeping active.

Nutrition explained

Just like adults, children need to eat a wide variety of foods so they develop and maintain healthy hearts and bodies. The Balance of Good Health is a great way to check that your kids are getting the right foods. But healthy needn't mean tasteless or boring – there are lots of delicious, tasty foods that are encouraged on a daily basis. From the age of five years, the recommended proportions shown in the Balance of Good Health can start to apply to your children.