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There are five main food groups, and each one contains nutrients that are essential for your body's growth, energy and body maintenance.
Nutrients are vitamins and minerals that regulate your body's chemical processes and functions and help to keep you fit and healthy.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates include foods like bread, pasta, potatoes, cereals, low fat oven chips, rice, oats, noodles, couscous, maize and cornmeal.
Fruit and vegetables
Fruit and vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals which are essential nutrients that your body needs in order to work properly. As
well as keeping your skin and hair healthy, they can reduce your risk of getting heart disease and cancer.
You should try to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables each day. One portion counts as a large piece of fruit, such as an apple or 10
strawberries, three heaped tablespoons of vegetables.
Protein
Protein helps to build and repair your body. Foods rich in protein also contain minerals, such as iron, zinc and magnesium, as well as
important B vitamins. They should make up about one fifth of what you eat each day.
Sources of protein include meat, fish and eggs, as well as non-animal products, such as beans and nuts.
Dairy
Cheese, milk, yoghurt and calcium fortified soya alternatives are all examples of dairy foods (cream and butter are in the fats group, and
eggs fall under protein). Dairy products are rich in calcium, which is important for strong bones and teeth.
Fat and sugar
Fats and sugars contain more energy than any other food group and should make up the smallest part of your diet. Foods such as butter,
mayonnaise, chocolate, crisps, cakes, soft drinks, jam, sweets and ice cream, all usually contain high amounts fat.
Nutrients are vitamins and minerals that regulate your body's chemical processes and functions and help to keep you fit and healthy.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates include foods like bread, pasta, potatoes, cereals, low fat oven chips, rice, oats, noodles, couscous, maize and cornmeal.
Fruit and vegetables
Fruit and vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals which are essential nutrients that your body needs in order to work properly. As
well as keeping your skin and hair healthy, they can reduce your risk of getting heart disease and cancer.
You should try to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables each day. One portion counts as a large piece of fruit, such as an apple or 10
strawberries, three heaped tablespoons of vegetables.
Protein
Protein helps to build and repair your body. Foods rich in protein also contain minerals, such as iron, zinc and magnesium, as well as
important B vitamins. They should make up about one fifth of what you eat each day.
Sources of protein include meat, fish and eggs, as well as non-animal products, such as beans and nuts.
Dairy
Cheese, milk, yoghurt and calcium fortified soya alternatives are all examples of dairy foods (cream and butter are in the fats group, and
eggs fall under protein). Dairy products are rich in calcium, which is important for strong bones and teeth.
Fat and sugar
Fats and sugars contain more energy than any other food group and should make up the smallest part of your diet. Foods such as butter,
mayonnaise, chocolate, crisps, cakes, soft drinks, jam, sweets and ice cream, all usually contain high amounts fat.
Health and weight loss