In the first Session of this Unit, you learned about the importance of having a healthy diet. In this Session, we will take a closer look at healthy eating advice and the foods that make up a healthy diet.

The Eatwell Guide defines government recommendations on eating a healthy and balanced diet. This guidance states that a healthy diet should include:

• At least five portion of a variety of fruit and vegetables a day
• Meals based on starchy foods, such as bread, rice, pasta and potatoes
• Some dairy foods (or alternatives), such as milk, cheese and yoghurt
• Sources of protein, such as fish, eggs, meat and pulses
• At least two portions of fish every week (one of which should be oily, such as salmon or mackerel)
• Only small amounts of unsaturated oils and spreads
• Only small amounts of foods that are high in fat, salt and sugar
• Plenty of fluids (6-8 glasses a day)

There are five main food groups that form the basis of any balanced diet. Move onto page 2 to learn more.