You have probably heard people talking about a ‘balanced diet.’ To be healthy it’s very important to eat a balanced diet. But what does it actually mean?

All the foods we eat can be put into one of five food groups. A balanced diet is made up of the five food groups.  The key to healthy eating is to consume a variety of foods from across the groups. The perfect balance is to get plenty of carbohydrates, fruit and vegetables, lots milk and dairy, enough protein but to go easy on the fats and sugars:

• Starchy foods such as bread, potatoes, pasta, rice, noodles and breakfast cereals.
• Fruit and vegetables such as frozen, fresh and canned fruit/vegetables as well as salad vegetables.
• Milk and dairy products such as cheese, yoghurt, milk and fromage-frais.
• Protein such as meat, fish, poultry and pulses.
• Fats and sugars such as butter, margarine, cream, ice-cream, low fat spreads, cooking oils, mayonnaise, salad dressings, cakes, biscuits, chocolate, sugary drinks, sweets, pastry foods and crisps.

Remember : The best way to get all the vitamins, minerals and nutrients we need is to eat a variation of foods, no one food can provide us with all we need to keep our bodies healthy.

More information can be found by visiting www.nhs.uk