A healthy diet means combining foods from the five food groups and should include:

• plenty of starchy and fibrous foods like bread, pasta and potatoes  
• at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day
• some meat, fish or alternatives like nuts and beans
• some milk and dairy foods like cheese and yoghurt
• limit the amount of fatty, sugary foods and drinks like crisps, biscuits, cakes and fizzy drinks

Eating a healthy diet doesn’t mean you can’t eat the foods you enjoy. The most important thing is to eat lots of different foods, and know how much of each is good for you.

The Eatwell Guide shows how much of what you eat should come from each food group. This includes everything you eat and drink during the day.

So, try to:

• eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day
• base meals on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta and other starchy carbohydrates; choosing wholegrain versions where possible
• have some dairy or dairy alternatives (such as soy drinks); choosing lower fat and lower sugar options
• eat some beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins (including 2 portions of fish every week, one of which should be oily)
• choose unsaturated oils and spreads and eat in small amounts
• drink 6 to 8 cups/glasses of fluid a day

If consuming foods and drinks high in fat, salt or sugar have these less often and in small amounts.