A PONTYPOOL family is encouraging others to eat healthily after being chosen to front the Welsh Government’s Change4Life programme.

Dad Steve Betts, his daughter Briony, 14, and triplets Ethan, Ashley and Gracie, three, want to show others that switching to a healthy option is easy, with simple-to make, inexpensive meals.

The family is joining health minister Lesley Griffiths and TV chef Nerys Howell today to launch a series of new Change4Life recipes.

The Betts, of New Inn, already enjoy a healthy balanced diet, but Steve wants to learn to cook new dishes and save a few pennies too.

The Knauff Insulation worker said: “With five mouths to feed it can be costly, so I’m looking forward to having ideas for healthy, inexpensive meals to cook that the children will like.

“We’ve always been good at getting our five fruit and veg a day, but we need to eat more fibre. We only usually eat white bread, pasta and rice, but the Food Smart booklet gives us great ideas for what we can do with wholemeal alternatives.”

Lesley Griffiths said now was the perfect time to think about making a life change and with the new recipes including healthy versions of stews, curries and fish and chips, families didn’t have to give up the food they love.

40,000 people who have already signed up to the Change4Life campaign will receive a copy of the brochure through the post.

Food Smart was set up to encourage people to make choices about what they eat in a bid to reduce rates of cancer, strokes, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

The recipes are all low in sugar, salt and fat.

Get your free brochure at www.change4lifewales.org.uk