What Does a Healthy Diet Really Look Like?
How Can I Eat Healthy?
It can be hard to know which diet is the healthiest and best for you - is it low-carb, keto, gluten-free, or something else entirely? Get our dietitian's tips on what a healthy diet really looks like.
With so much conflicting advice about nutrition, it's no wonder so many of us feel overwhelmed and confused about what to eat.
In my opinion, a healthy diet is one that:
- Provides your body with all the nutrients it needs to function normally
- helps lower your risk of various chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer
- Is enjoyable to eat!
- Doesn’t take up too much headspace or create stress or anxiety around food choices
- Fits your budget
Of course, if you have a health condition, a food allergy or intolerance, your version of a healthy diet will likely have some extra considerations. But for most adults, a healthy diet is made up of:
- A variety of foods from all food groups
- Plenty of fruit and veg ideally five servings a day
- Lots of fibre-rich foods Think wholegrains, beans, lentils, nuts, and seeds.
- A good source of protein at each meal This could be from meat, fish, eggs, tofu, beans, or other sources.
- Dairy or fortified alternatives a couple of times a day. These provide calcium and other key nutrients.
- Healthy fats from sources like olive oil, nuts, seeds, and oily fish.
- Foods high in sugar making up the smallest part of the diet
The argument I often hear about these guidelines goes something along the lines of: If this is what a healthy diet looks like, why are so many people unhealthy?
The reality is that most adults in the UK (and globally) aren’t eating like this. In the UK for example, fewer than 1 in 10 adults meet the recommended daily intake of fibre (30 grams), and only 1 in 3 adults in the UK eat the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Similarly most of us are eating more saturated fat, sugar and salt that recommended.
By prioritising these simple principles, you’ll be giving your body the nutrients it needs to thrive – and set yourself up for long-term health.
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