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The balance of good health

The Health Education Authority is a government body that advises on health matters. It has developed a National Food Guide as a way of explaining nutritional needs using foods. It is now called the 'Eatwell Plate', but until recently was known as the 'Balance of Good Health'.

The model is a plate model, to help people to understand the proportions of their food intake that should come from the different foods. Foods are divided into food groups, depending on the nutrients that they supply.

The Eatwell plate applies to everyone, regardless of their body weight, but it assumes people are in good health. It is intended as a guideline to ensure that nutritional needs for vitamins, minerals, and trace elements are being met. Remember that while it is designed for use by the general population, it will still apply to sports performers because an athlete needs the same balance of nutrients, but probably in greater quantities depending on their sport.

For more information on the Eatwell plate pleas click on the link below:

http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/healthydiet/eatwellplate/

The Eatwell plate in detail

The table below gives a breakdown of each food group in more detail:

Food Group Foods Principal nutrients
Bread, Rice, Potatoes, Pasta

Bread, rice, pasta, potatoes, couscous

Breakfast cereals

Rolls, crispbreads, muffins, scones,

Pikelets, chapattis, pitta bread

Carbohydrate energy

B-group vitamins

Dietary fibre
Fruit and Vegetables

All fruit - fresh, frozen, tinned, dried

All vegetables - fresh, frozen, tinned

Fruit and vegetable juices

Vitamins and minerals

Dietary fibre
Milk and Dairy Foods

Milk, cheese, yoghurt, fromage frais

Crème fraiche

Protein

Fat and fat soluble vitamins (full fat only)

Calcium
Meat, fish, Eggs, Beans

Meat, poultry, offal, fish, cheese, eggs.

Peas, beans, lentils, soya

Textured vegetable protein

Protein

Fat

Iron (red meat)

Zinc, B vitamins
Foods and Drinks high in Fat and/or Sugar

Sugary and fatty snacks and drinks

Butter, margarine, spreads, cooking oils

Alcohol

Fat

Sugar

Alcohol

Salt