Different foods contain different combinations of nutrients, vitamins and minerals. No single food can satisfy all of your body’s nutritional needs, so it is important to eat a variety of foods. Eating a varied diet also helps to protect you from diseases such as diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease. To make sure you get all the nutrients you need to stay healthy, eat the recommended number of daily serves of a variety of foods within each of the five major food groups.
The five major food groups are:
- Bread, cereals, rice, pasta, noodles
- Vegetables, legumes
- Fruit
- Milk, yoghurt, cheese
- Meat, fish, poultry, eggs, nuts, legumes
Although not part of any of the major food groups, it is also important to remember to drink plenty of water.