Putting Advice into Practice

The Government’s eatwell plate (illustrated) is a model of how to eat healthily and is based on the 8 guidelines for a healthy diet (see below). It shows the types and proportions of different foods that should be eaten over a period of time. The eatwell plate applies to all healthy individuals over five years of age, and can be gradually applied for pre-school children, but does not apply to individuals with special dietary requirements. If you are under medical supervision you should check with your doctor to see whether you should use this guide.

You should choose a variety of foods from each of these four food groups every day:

• Bread, rice, potatoes, pasta and other starchy foods
• Fruit and vegetables
• Milk and dairy foods
• Meat, fish, eggs, beans and other non-dairy sources of protein

Foods in the fifth group, i.e. foods and drinks high in fat and/or sugar, can be eaten sparingly as part of a healthy balanced diet but should not be eaten instead of foods from the other food groups, or too often or in large amounts. Having a variety of foods in the diet is important for health – it is not necessary to follow the model at every meal, but rather over a day or two.

The eatwell plate is consistent with the Government’s eight tips for eating well, published in October 2005, which are:

1. Base your meals on starchy foods
2. Eat lots of fruit and veg
3. Eat more fish
4. Cut down on saturated fat and sugar
5. Try to eat less salt – no more than 6g a day
6. Get active and try to be a healthy weight
7. Drink plenty of water
8. Don’t skip breakfast

 © British Nutrition Foundation