The evidence-informed Eatwell guide (WG 2018) provides advice to the general population aged over two years. Key recommendations in the guide are to:
- Eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day
- Base meals on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta and other starchy carbohydrates, choosing wholegrain versions where possible
- Have some dairy or dairy alternatives (such as soy drinks); choose lower fat and lower sugar options
- Eat some beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins (including 2 portions of fish every week, 1 of which should be oily)
- Choose unsaturated oils and spreads and eat in small amounts
- Drink 6 to 8 cups /glasses of fluid a day
- If consuming foods and drinks high in fat, salt or sugar, have these less often and in small amounts.
To help staff understand their role in helping people to change their food related behaviour the MECC approach in Wales is focusing on 3 simple, main messages:
- Eat 5 fruit and vegetables a day
- Swap high fat , high sugar food and drinks for healthier options
- Reduce portion sizes.
Signpost to patient-friendly resources such as:
Nutritional skills training developed and co-ordinated by dieticians working in the NHS in Wales is available from Nutrition Skills for Life.