The Government recommends that all individuals should consume a diet that contains:
- Plenty of starchy foods such as rice, bread, pasta and potatoes (choosing wholegrain varieties when possible).
- Plenty of fruit and vegetables; at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables a day.
- Some protein-rich foods such as meat, fish, eggs, beans and non-dairy sources of protein, such as nuts and pulses.
- Some milk and dairy, choosing reduced fat versions or eating smaller amounts of full fat versions when possible.
- Just a little fat, salt and sugar.
The Eatwell Plate
The Eatwell plate is a pictorial guide of the proportions that different food groups should make to the diet. The proportions represented by each of the food groups do not have to be achieved at every meal, or even every day if this is not realistic. However, over the course of several days the food you eat should make up the proportions of the food groups from the Eatwell plate. The five different food groups that make up the Eatwell plate are:
1. Fruit and vegetables;
2. Bread, rice, potatoes, pasta and other starchy foods;
3. Milk and dairy foods;
4. Meat, fish, eggs, beans and other non dairy sources of protein;
5. Foods and drinks high in fat and/or sugar.
The Eatwell plate is applicable to most of the UK population, regardless of age, sex, culture or religion. However, it is not applicable to children under 2 years of age as they have specific nutritional needs.
For more information about the ‘Eatwell plate’ see the individual food group sections in the ‘Read more’ section on the right hand side of the page.