| Balanced
Diet |
| In
order to ensure good health it is important to include foods from
the four main food groups in your diet. |
| Protein-rich
foods |
Milk
and Dairy Products |
| In
a vegetarian diet beans and pulses are important sources of protein.
Nuts are also a good source but they tend to be high in fat. There
are also sources of plant based protein including tofu, and soya mince
which can be used as substitutes for meat in many dishes. Aim for
2-3 servings of various protein-rich foods each day for a balanced
diet. |
Many
vegetarians do eat dairy products based on cows milk, but others use
soya milk and other vegetarian alternatives. Dairy products now come
in all sorts of varieties and are especially important in the diet
to provide calcium. A good intake of calcium throughout life can help
to maintain and build strong bones. Try to include 2-3 servings of
these foods in your diet each day. |
| Cereals
and Grains |
Fruit
and Vegetables |
| Foods
such as bread, breakfast cereals, potatoes, pasta, rice and other
grains are full of starchy carbohydrates and should provide the bulk
of food at each meal. They also provide smaller amounts of protein. |
Fruit
and vegetables are part of any healthy diet. They are full of vitamins,
minerals, and phyto-chemicals which help strengthen the body's immune
system. Aim to eat at least 5 portions of fruit and/or vegetables
every day. |
| |
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