Healthy eating guidelines

The five food groups

You should eat sensibly, choosing a range of foods from the five food groups in the correct proportions:

bread, rice, potatoes, pasta and other starchy foods
milk and dairy products
food and drinks high in fat and / or sugar
meat, fish, eggs, beans and other non dairy sources of protein
fruit and vegetables

Eat well

This means:

basing meals and snacks on starchy foods such as bread, potatoes, rice, pasta, noodles and cereal
avoiding adding fat or using it in cooking
having at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables each day. They can be fresh, frozen, tinned or dried. Fruit juice, beans and pulses count but only once a day
having 2 to 3 portions of dairy foods each day. A portion is a small pot of yoghurt or 30g of cheese or 1/3 pint of milk. Try to have reduced fat versions such as fat-free yoghurt, cottage cheese or Edam cheese, skimmed or semi-skimmed milk
choosing moderate amounts of fish, meat and pulses. Avoid frying and remove the skin from chicken and excess fat from meat
eating foods containing fat and sugar sparingly. Try to have reduced fat / sugar products
limiting red meat and advoiding processed meat. Follow these links to the NHS website for more information on vegetarian and vegan diets.

The Eatwell Guide from the Food Standards Agency shows the recommended amounts you should eat from each food group.

Eatwell Guide

Recipes you can try

Butternut squash soup

Chicken pasta with leeks and peas

Baked falafel wrap

Chicken stir fry

Honey mustard dressing

Oats three ways

Tuna wrap

Vegetable stir fry

Find some more inspiration with Healthier Families NHS

Manage your health and wellbeing

Manage your health and wellbeing with Jersey's app library IslandLiving.

Tips for healthy eating on a budget

Buying healthy food on a budget can be easier if you know how to shop smart. These tips can help you get more value for your money.

Shop smart

Compare prices online to find the best bargains for ingredients. Look for a loyalty scheme if you shop from a particular place. You can compare prices online at Price Comparison.je or download the app on android or the apple store.

Plan your shopping list

A shopping list can make all the difference in keeping organised. Base this on a meal plan for the week and double-check what you have already before heading out. Healthy recipe ideas are available from NHS Better Health.

Compare unit prices

When deciding what to buy, use the unit pricing label found on the shelves (e.g., £0.33 per 100g). This allows you to compare between products to ensure you are getting the best deal.

Value and store branded

Value brands often taste just as good and are as nutritionally adequate. Using supermarket ranges can lead to significant savings.

Be wary of the multi-buys

Multi-buy and discounted food items can be great, but only if you can eat them before they expire. Don't buy what you don't need.

Frozen, tinned, and seasonal

Eating seasonal fruit and veg when widely available is usually cheaper and introduces a diversity of vitamins and minerals into the diet. Tinned and frozen fruit and veg can also be great value for money and just as nutritious.

Healthy snacks don't need to be expensive

When snacking, try to choose:

fruit or dried fruit
plain, low-fat yoghurt
unsalted nuts and seeds

Homemade popcorn with herbs can also be a great snack rather than using salt, butter and sugar.

Wholegrain food varieties rather than white products

Try to include more wholegrain versions of:

bread
rice
pasta
other grains

These can help you to feel fuller for longer, will release energy gradually throughout the day and will help keep your bowel regular. Drinking plenty of fluids is also important.

Frozen, plant and tin-based protein

Plant proteins provide a way of including protein at a cheaper price and include:

beans
lentils
tofu

Tinned and frozen fish and meat without coatings and sauces can be bought cheaper and are often healthier options.

Minimise food waste

Small actions can all make a big difference to our pockets, our health and to the planet like:

storing food in the right places
freezing leftovers and ingredients before their use by date
measuring out the right amounts

Visit Olio online to learn more about food waste in Jersey.