Eating well is important for all of us. In the short-term, it can help us to feel good, look our best and stay at a healthy weight. And in the long-term, a healthy, balanced diet can reduce our risk of heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and some cancers.  But what exactly is a healthy, balanced diet?

In simple terms, to eat a balanced diet you need to combine several different types of foods - from each of the main food groups - in the right amounts so your body gets all the nutrients it needs while maintaining a healthy weight.  This means you should eat:

Plenty of bread, rice potatoes, pasta and other starchy foods
Plenty of fruit and vegetables
Some milk, cheese and yoghurt
Some meat, fish, eggs, beans and other non-dairy sources of protein, and
Just a small amount of foods and drinks high in fat and/or sugar

Further information is available from Safe Food Ireland