a healthy diet does not have to be a boring diet
Healthy eating should be important to us all. A healthy varied diet is essential for good health and, together with an active lifestyle, can help you maintain a healthy body weight and live a little longer.
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.
Crown copyright material is reproduced
with the permision of the Controller of
HMSO and Queen's printer of Scotland.
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 it's a good idea to try to get this balance right every day.
Follow our tips to a healthier diet.
For a wide range of healthier choice recipes visit
http://www.nhs.uk/Change4Life