A balanced diet

The video below discusses some of the key factors that you want to consider when you are trying to lose weight. We will discuss many of these in more detail throughout the course.

The Eatwell guide

The Eatwell guide is a visual guide to shows the different types of foods and drinks we should consume, and in what proportions, to achieve a healthy balanced diet.

No one food group can give you all the energy and nutrients your body needs to stay healthy. Eating a balanced diet means that you eat foods from all the main food groups but less of some foods and more of others.

The Eatwell Guide divides the foods and drinks we consume into 5 main groups:

• Fruit and vegetables
• Potatoes, bread, rice, pasta and other starchy carbohydrates
• Beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins
• Dairy and alternatives
• Oils and spreads

You may not achieve the balance with every meal but you should try to work to these proportions over the day or week so that you get the variety of nutrients that your body needs.

Some people have found that a Mediterranean style diet which reduces their carbohydrate portion to a quarter of the plate is helpful for weight loss. You can increase the portion of vegetables or salad on your plate to compensate for the reduced carbohydrate.

We will explore each of these food groups in more detail in the next topic.