a healthy diet does not have to be a boring diet
Eating healthily, together with a better lifestyle, may reduce your risk of developing heart disease, bowel disorders and cancer, as well as other less serious problems.
Contrary to popular opinion, you don't have to give up completely the foods you most enjoy, but aim instead to get the balance right overall.
The eatwell plate shows how much of what you eat should come from each food group. This includes everything you eat during the day, including snacks. 
So, try to eat:
- Plenty of fruit and vegetables
- Plenty of bread, rice, potatoes, pasta and other starchy foods – choose wholegrain varieties whenever you can
- Some milk and dairy foods
- Some meat, fish, eggs, beans and other non-dairy sources of protein
- Just a small amount of foods and drinks high in fat and/or sugar
You don't need to achieve the balance every meal or even every day, but overall, your diet should be made up of the food groups in the quantities shown.
Follow our tips to a healthier diet.
For a wide range of healthier choice recipes visit http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/healthydiet/recipes/