Guidance

The Eatwell Guide

The Eatwell Guide is a policy tool used to define government recommendations on eating healthily and achieving a balanced diet.

Documents

Eatwell Guide: colour PDF

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Government dietary recommendations

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The Eatwell Guide: how does it differ to the eatwell plate and why?

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From Plate to Guide: What, why and how for the eatwell model

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From Plate to Guide: annex 1

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From Plate to Guide: annex 2

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The Eatwell Guide booklet

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Eatwell Guide: greyscale PDF

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Eatwell Guide: colour JPG

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Eatwell Guide: EPS version

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A quick guide to the government’s healthy eating recommendations

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Details

The UK’s national food guide has been updated in light of recent recommendations made by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) in their report on Carbohydrates and Health published in July 2015.

The Eatwell Guide has replaced the eatwell plate and continues to define the government’s advice on a healthy balanced diet. The Eatwell Guide is a visual representation of how different foods and drinks can contribute towards a healthy balanced diet.

The Eatwell Guide is based on the 5 food groups and shows how much of what you eat should come from each food group.

The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (previously Public Health England) encourages organisations and individuals to use the Eatwell Guide to make sure everyone receives consistent messages about the balance of foods in a healthy diet. This publication provides guidance on using the Eatwell Guide in promotional materials.

The Carbon Trust sustainability assessment indicated that the Eatwell Guide shows an appreciably lower environmental impact than the current UK diet.

Updates to this page

Published 17 March 2016
Last updated 2 January 2024 + show all updates
  1. Updated out-of-date Public Health England references and changed page owner to the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities.

  2. Updated version of the 'Eatwell Guide' booklet and 'Quick guide to the government's healthy eating recommendations' published.

  3. Added 'A quick guide to the government’s healthy eating recommendations'.

  4. Uploaded the Eatwell guide report and annexes.

  5. Added dietary recommendations.

  6. Add EPS version of Eatwell Guide.

  7. First published.

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