No single food can provide all the essential nutrients that the body needs. Therefore, it is important to consume a wide variety of foods to provide adequate intakes of vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre, which are important for health.
8 guidelines for a healthy diet
Enjoy your food
Eat a variety of different foods
Eat the right amount to be a healthy weight
Eat plenty of foods rich in starch and fibre
Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables
Dont eat too many foods that contain a lot of fat
Dont have sugary foods and drinks too often
If you drink alcohol, drink sensibly
Fruit and vegetables
Fresh, frozen, dried and canned fruit and vegetables all count. Also, 100% fruit or vegetable juice and pure fruit juice smoothies count. Beans and pulses, such as baked beans and lentils also contribute to this group.
Choose a wide variety and aim to eat at least 5 different portions a day. A portion is approximately 80g (e.g. 1 medium apple, a cereal bowl of salad or 3 heaped tablespoons of peas). Servings of fruit juice, vegetable juice or smoothies can only count as one portion per day no matter how much...