A healthy balanced diet

A healthy balanced diet means eating the right amount of a wide variety of foods to keep you feeling well and help maintain a healthy body weight. A healthy balanced diet includes seven main classes of nutrients that the body needs: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, fibre and water.

Food properties

A diet based on starchy foods with plenty of fruit and vegetables, some protein-rich foods, some milk and dairy foods, and not too much fat, salt or sugar, will give you all the nutrients you need.

Starchy foods such as bread, cereals, potatoes and pasta are a good source of energy.

Fruit and vegetables are a vital source of vitamins and minerals.

Meat, fish, eggs and legumes (including beans, nuts and seeds) are all good sources of protein, which is essential for the growth and repair of the body. They are also good sources of a range of vitamins and minerals.

Milk and dairy foods, such as cheese and yoghurt, are good sources of protein. They also contain calcium, which helps to keep healthy bones. Fats and sugar are both sources of energy for the body.
Saturated fat¹ can raise blood cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease. Unsaturated fats², on the other hand, can help to lower cholesterol and provide us with the essential fatty acids needed to help us stay healthy.

---

WARM UP

Do you think you have a balanced diet?
What's your favourite food?

---

---

MORE

¹ Saturated fats are considered unhealthy. These fats are most often solid at room temperature.

² Unsaturated fats, which are liquid at room temperature, are considered beneficial fats.

---