Here are some general guidelines for a healthy diet:

• Eat plenty of complex carbohydrates – bread, potatoes, pasta, cereals, grains and pulses. Carbohydrates that have a low glycaemic index are better because they release sugar slowly. They also keep away feelings of hunger for longer and help to maintain stable blood sugar levels.
• Eat at least 5 portions of vegetables and fruit every day. Ensure that you eat plenty of green leafy vegetables plus orange and red fruit and vegetables. Try to eat them raw or lightly cooked and don’t add too much butter or commercial dressings.
• Cut down on fat, especially saturated and trans fats. Ideally avoid trans fats completely. Cook with less fat, and reduce the quantity of bought foods high in fat, such as cakes, pastries, pies, cream, full fat cheese and fatty cuts of meat.
• Eat natural fat oils such as those found in pure vegetable oil, seed and grain oils, nuts, grains and seeds. These provide essential fatty acids. Try to use oils on salad and in cooking.
• Reduce the amount of sugary and salty foods consumed. For sweetness try to eat naturally sweet foods like fruit. Cut down on added salt when cooking.
• Eat more plant and fish-based meals and less meat-based meals.
• Aim to get as wide a variety of foods as possible into your diet.
• Eat the best quality foods that you can – fresh, wholesome, unadulterated food is best for your body.
• Eat regularly throughout the day, having breakfast, lunch, a main meal and snacks.
• Drink plenty of fluids and don’t forget that water is one of the best drinks of all
• Relax and enjoy your food.