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Healthy eating

The amount and type of food you eat has a major influence on your health. Unfortunately, it's easy to eat too many high-fat convenience foods and not enough of the more nutritious foods such as fruit and vegetables.

Why do you need to eat well?

Your body needs a constant supply of energy to fuel the continuous processes of life, such as your heartbeat, breathing and digestion. You also need energy to grow and repair your body's tissues, and to power your muscles for movement.

This energy is provided by your food and drink. The energy content is measured in calories (kilocalories, kcal). As well as getting enough energy, you need to make sure your diet includes essential nutrients such as carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins and minerals.

The food choices you make can have a long-term impact on your health. There is good evidence that eating a healthy diet can reduce your risk of illnesses such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease (including coronary heart disease) and several cancers (especially bowel cancer).

What is healthy eating?

Healthy eating is about eating the right quantity and balance of foods, month in month out. Eating the right balance of foods from the main food groups is the foundation of day-to-day wellbeing. There are five main food groups:

• starchy foods
• fruit and vegetables
• dairy foods
• meat and beans
• fat and sugar