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Balance of Good Health

A Balanced Diet : The Eat Well Plate

What exactly is a "balanced diet"?

The 'eatwell plate' is in pictorial form and depicts plate showing the proportion and types of foods needed to make up a balanced diet and eat well. Not every meal has to fit this pattern - just try to get this overall balance going across the sum of everything you eat in a day or even a week.

Do they mean me?

They recommend this balance for all of us, regardless of weight, height, ethnic origins and whether you're vegetarian or otherwise.

An exception is children under two years of age because they need full fat milk and more dairy products. From two to five, children should make a gradual transition to the Balance of Good Health shown here. The other possible exception would be if you're under medical supervision - in which case ask your doctor if you should continue using the guide.

Why include carbohydrates?

A very important part of the balance is carbohydrate. It's an essential "fuel" for our entire metabolism. Choose the best fuel there is and don't let the tank run low. Potatoes are an easily digestible source of carbohydrate. Compared with other carbohydrates potatoes are great because they give you a crucial bonus of vital vitamins and minerals - and virtually no fat.

Yes, but I want to lose weight?

Those watching their weight may be swayed by headline-grabbing fads such as the Atkins Diet and the Glycaemic Index system. However losing weight permanently is likely to be more successful if the diet is balanced and varied. The British Nutrition Foundation recommends that one of the keys to achieving a healthy balanced diet involves eating "more carbohydrate-rich foods such as bread, potatoes, rice and pasta". (British Nutrition Foundation)

For more information please visit www.nutrition.org.uk

Copyright: Crown copyright material is reproduced with the permission of the Controller of HMSO and Queen's Printer of Scotland. Source: The eatwell plate, Food Standards Agency