The right foods for health and fitness

Healthy eating is about balance — about getting the right range of nutrients from a number of food groups. No foods are ‘forbidden’ — anything you want to eat will have its part to play and a place in a healthy diet — including chocolate!

There are different nutrients in different foods. You need a wide variety of foods so that you have a better chance of eating all the nutrients your body requires.

Ideally your meals should be based around the following five food groups: 

• Bread, cereals and potatoes
• Fruits and vegetables
• Milk and dairy products
• Meat, fish and alternatives
• Fats and sugars

Bread, cereals and potatoes should be the basis for every meal. This might be a baked potato, some mash, a wholemeal roll, pasta, steamed rice, couscous, polenta, bulgar wheat, pearl barley and the list goes on. Aim for wholegrain versions of cereals when you can — this means brown bread and rice and wholemeal pasta. Wholegrains have been associated with healthier hearts and contain extra fibre, which can help prevent constipation and bowel cancer.