Today we bring you an article about the EatWell Guide by Ruth du Plessis, from the last Euronet Newsletter. Don’t forget that tomorrow is the deadline to send in contributions for the next issue of the Newsletter!
“In March of this year, PHE (Public Health England) launched an updated Eatwell Guide. The new guide shows the revised proportions of the food groups that help meet official advice and nutrient requirements, It replaces the eatwell plate and reflects updated dietary recommendations from the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) report on Carbohydrates and Health in 2015.
There is greater prominence for fruit, vegetables and starchy carbohydrates, preferably wholegrain. PHE recommends consuming 30 grams of fibre. Currently, people in the UK eat less than 2 thirds of this.
Sugary soft drinks have been removed and foods high in fat, salt and sugar have been moved to the periphery of the guide, reflecting advice that they are not an essential part of a healthy and balanced diet. Currently in the UK adults have twice as much sugar as is recommended and children have over 3 times.
The advice that only a 150ml serving of fruit juice counts as 1 of the recommended 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day is now extended to include smoothies. The Eatwell Guide now displays drinks recommendations which make clear that adults should be aiming to have 6 to 8 glasses of fluids per day ideally from water, lower fat milks, and unsweetened tea or coffee.
For more information see:
www.gov.uk/government/news/new-eatwell-guide-illustrates-a-healthy-balanced-diet www.gov.uk/government/publications/sacn-carbohydrates-and-health-report
Ruth du Plessis, Public Health Trainee, UK”