Healthy eating: what does it mean?

Nutrients and mindful eating 🍉

Quick summary 📝

1️⃣ Healthy eating means having a balanced diet that gives your body energy and nutrients

2️⃣ A healthy diet includes five main food groups, plus plenty of fluids, with sugary drinks and energy drinks kept to a minimum

3️⃣ Balance is key: eating nutritious foods while still enjoying what you love makes for a healthy and happy relationship with food

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We hear about healthy eating all the time, but what does it actually mean?

A healthy diet is a balanced diet, one that includes nutritious foods which give you energy and vitamins.

Eating well is especially important for young people as the body is going through lots of growing and changes.

A healthy diet includes five main food groups

👉 Carbohydrates

👉 Protein

👉 Dairy

👉 Fruit and veg

👉 Oils and spreads

These food groups give you the energy and nutrients your body needs.

Top tips for healthy eating

👉 Get plenty of fruit and vegetables: aim for 5 portions a day to get your essential vitamins and minerals in

👉 Go for starchy carbohydrates: found in wholegrain bread, rice, pasta and potatoes, they provide energy and fibre

👉 Get some protein: from beans, pulses, fish, eggs or meat, to help your body grow and repair

👉 Add some dairy: like milk, yoghurt or cheese (or alternatives) for strong bones

👉 Moderate foods that are high in sugar, salt and fat: as they’re not very nutritious

👉 Listen to your body: eating too much may make you feel unwell, eating too little can leave you tired and hungry

👉 Try not to skip meals: three regular meals a day is great. Pause during meals to check if you’re full or still hungry

Know that it’s also totally okay to treat yourself occasionally, as eating something you love is good for you too 🫶

What about drinks?

Drinks count too! Aim for around 6 to 8 glasses of fluid a day, and a bit more if it’s hot or you’ve been active.

Water, milk, and sugar-free drinks all count, and so do tea and coffee.

👉 Fruit juice and smoothies: stick to one small glass (150ml) a day, ideally with a meal

👉 Fizzy drinks: sugar-free or diet versions are easier on your teeth

👉 Energy drinks: these are really high in caffeine, which can mess with your sleep, mood and focus

Energy drinks aren’t recommended for under-16s. In England, it’ll be illegal to sell them to under-16s from April 2027.

Healthy eating = balance, not rules

Overall, healthy eating means having a balanced mix of nutritious foods that give you energy.

Healthy eating also means enjoying foods that you love!

It’s all about listening to your body and giving it what it needs without restrictions.

Food isn’t just fuel, it’s about enjoyment too ✨