• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
https://theflexitarian.co.uk
  • Recipes
    • Recipes by Course
    • Recipes by Ingredient
    • RECIPES BY DIET
    • Seasonal Food
  • Less Meat, More Plants
    • The Flexitarian Diet
    • Why Go Flexitarian?
      • Meat & Health
      • Meat & The Environment
      • Animal Welfare
      • I Am A Flexitarian
    • Tips & Hints
      • How To Cook Veggie
      • Cooking With Less Meat
      • Beginners’ Guides
      • Do It Yourself Recipes
      • How To Cook Without A Recipe
      • Left Over Recipes
      • Recipe Collections
      • Cookbook Reviews
      • Product Reviews
      • My Favourite Cookbooks
      • Cooking Classes
  • Lifestyle
    • Health & Nutrition
    • Green Living
    • Eating Out
    • Fighting Food Waste
    • Competition
    • Eco Travel
    • Fitness
    • Festivals & Markets
    • Grow Your Own
    • Great Reads
    • Gift Guides
    • Product Reviews
    • Veggie News
  • About Me
    • CONTACT ME
    • WORK WITH ME
    • In the News
    • Privacy Policy
https://theflexitarian.co.uk

https://theflexitarian.co.uk

The Flexitarian Diet - A Flexible Vegetarian Diet

  • Recipes
    • Recipes by Course
    • Recipes by Ingredient
    • RECIPES BY DIET
    • Seasonal Food
  • Less Meat, More Plants
    • The Flexitarian Diet
    • Why Go Flexitarian?
      • Meat & Health
      • Meat & The Environment
      • Animal Welfare
      • I Am A Flexitarian
    • Tips & Hints
      • How To Cook Veggie
      • Cooking With Less Meat
      • Beginners’ Guides
      • Do It Yourself Recipes
      • How To Cook Without A Recipe
      • Left Over Recipes
      • Recipe Collections
      • Cookbook Reviews
      • Product Reviews
      • My Favourite Cookbooks
      • Cooking Classes
  • Lifestyle
    • Health & Nutrition
    • Green Living
    • Eating Out
    • Fighting Food Waste
    • Competition
    • Eco Travel
    • Fitness
    • Festivals & Markets
    • Grow Your Own
    • Great Reads
    • Gift Guides
    • Product Reviews
    • Veggie News
  • About Me
    • CONTACT ME
    • WORK WITH ME
    • In the News
    • Privacy Policy

The New Eatwell Guide – More Plants!

March 18, 2016 · theflexitarian 1 Comment

Eatwell Guide v800

The new dietary advice from Public Health England (PHE) has just been released. The “Eatwell Guide” replaces the “Eatwell Plate” and includes updated dietary recommendations amongst 5 food groups for a healthy and balanced diet.

 

THE OLD VERSION

Eatwell_poster_2014

THE NEW VERSION

Eatwell_Guide 2016

The first obvious change is the purple section which now includes only oils & fats. It was previously labelled “food and drinks high in fat and sugar”, and these have now been placed outside of the main image to reflect the need for very occasional consumption.

Also, the proportions of Fruits & Vegetables (green section) and Starchy Carbohydrates (yellow section) have been increased while Dairy (blue section) has gone down.

The names of some sections have also been updated to reflect more environmentally sustainable choices such as  ‘Beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins in the pink section (note that meat is not first mentioned anymore!!).

You will also find additional message guidelines such as choosing wholegrain, eating less red and processed meat, eating a variety of fruits & vegetables and eating more beans and pulses plus 2 portions of sustainable fish per week.

It is great to see the “Eat Less Meat” and “Less Dairy” message in the official dietary guidelines. Personally, I wish that nuts and seeds, which provide valuable macro and micronutrients, were given a more prominent role than just a bag of plain nuts. Also the advise that we should eat 2 portions of fish (even from sustainable sources) a week is certainly not in line with the current overfishing crisis.

The Eatwell Guide is far from perfect but it is a good start for anyone trying to get their diet in a healthy balance.

 

So what should you aim for with the new Eatwell Guide?

FRUITS & VEGETABLES

  • This group should make up around 40% of your diet.
  • Eat at least 5 portions of fruits and vegetables a day (1 portion is 80g which equates to a handful).
  • Eat the rainbow, try to get as many colours as you can.
  • Frozen or fresh it all counts.
  • Juices and smoothies also count but only as 1 portion a day – no matter how much you drink. Because of the sugar content, it is best to limit yourself to 150ml a day.

POTATOES, BREAD, RICE, PASTA OR OTHER STARCHY CARBOHYDRATES

  • This group should make up around 38% of your diet.
  • Choose wholegrain for increased fibre.
  • Watch out for added salt, sugar and fat content. Breakfast cereals for example are a minefield. Don’t forget to read labels.

BEANS, PULSES, FISH, EGG, MEAT AND OTHER PROTEINS

  • This group should make up around 12% of your diet.
  • Eat more vegetarian source of protein
  • Eat 2 portions of sustainably sourced fish per week (1 should be oily)
  • Eat less red meat and processed meat (limit to 70g a day)

DAIRY & ALTERNATIVES

  • This group should make up around 8% of your diet.
  • Choose lower fat and lower sugar options.
  • When consuming dairy alternatives do look out for products with added calcium.

OILS & SPREADS

  • This group should make up around 1% of your diet.
  • Choose unsaturated oils (any fat that is liquid at room temperature) and spreads.
  • Consume in small amounts.

(Source: Public Health England. Note that percentages above add up to 99% due to rounding up)

 

If you are looking to make your diet more sustainable you can additionally strive to:

  • Eat more seasonal and local fruits and vegetables.
  • Eat less meat, fish, dairy and eggs.
  • Eat more protein-dense plant-based food such as pulses, beans, nuts, seeds, quinoa etc..
  • When eating animal products, choose higher welfare animal products (meat, fish, dairy and eggs).
  • Buy organic whenever possible.

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Health & Nutrition

Previous Post: « Vegan Mayo
Next Post: Spinach & Comté Twice-baked Soufflés [flexitarian] »

NEVER MISS A POST

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Hello, I am Annabelle!

Welcome to The Flexitarian.
I am passionate about food and the environment.
I hope my vegan and vegetarian recipes and eco tips will inspire you to embrace "more of" a plant-based diet and green lifestyle.
More About Me …

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

NEVER MISS A POST

Subscribe today to receive weekly new recipes, eco tips, competitions and so much more ... straight to your inbox!


LATEST RECIPES

Kimchi and Egg Flatbreads | The Flexitarian

Kimchi and Eggs Flatbreads [ vegetarian]

Vegan Waffles with Grilled Nectarines | The Flexitarian

Vegan Waffles with Grilled Nectarines

Asparagus & Avocado Toast | The Flexitarian

Asparagus & Avocado Miso Toast [vegan]

Cherry & Chocolate Muffins [vegan] | The Flexitarian

Chocolate & Cherry Muffins [vegan]

Vegan Asparagus Mimosa | The Flexitarian

Vegan Asparagus Mimosa

Carrot Cake Pancakes [vegan] | The Flexitar

Carrot Cake Pancakes [vegan]

See More Recipes


OUR ECO BOUTIQUE


Follow Me on Instagram

Loaded with tasty guacamole and black bean salsa, these baby potatoes are perfect as a side dish for barbecues or buffets. We love them with veggie sausages or a salad 

You can find the recipe on the blog. Link in my bio.

#vegan #plantbased #veganfood #flexitarian #meatfree #veggie #vegansofig #potato #veganrecipes #recipes #instagood #instafood #instavegan
theflexitarianuk
theflexitarianuk
•
Follow
Loaded with tasty guacamole and black bean salsa, these baby potatoes are perfect as a side dish for barbecues or buffets. We love them with veggie sausages or a salad You can find the recipe on the blog. Link in my bio. #vegan #plantbased #veganfood #flexitarian #meatfree #veggie #vegansofig #potato #veganrecipes #recipes #instagood #instafood #instavegan
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
1/6
This scrumptious vegan chocolate courgette cake is a perfect example of how delicious plant-based baking can be. Pure indulgence! This is one of the most popular dessert recipes on the blog.

The courgettes are the secret and (very) discreet ingredient. You cannot taste them but they add moisture and texture as well as 1 of your 5 a day to this scrumptious chocolate cake.

Grab the recipe on the blog. Link in my bio.

#flexitarian #chocolate #cake #dairyfree #eggfree #summer #summervibes #summertime #recipes #recipe #instagood #instafood #weekend #weekendvibes #saturday #saturdayvibes #plantbased #plantbasedfood
theflexitarianuk
theflexitarianuk
•
Follow
This scrumptious vegan chocolate courgette cake is a perfect example of how delicious plant-based baking can be. Pure indulgence! This is one of the most popular dessert recipes on the blog. The courgettes are the secret and (very) discreet ingredient. You cannot taste them but they add moisture and texture as well as 1 of your 5 a day to this scrumptious chocolate cake. Grab the recipe on the blog. Link in my bio. #flexitarian #chocolate #cake #dairyfree #eggfree #summer #summervibes #summertime #recipes #recipe #instagood #instafood #weekend #weekendvibes #saturday #saturdayvibes #plantbased #plantbasedfood
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
2/6
If you pick up this month's issue of veganfoodandliving you might spot a few of my recipes including my crunchy Asian red cabbage slaw. 

Tossed in a deliciously zingy lime dressing and topped with peanuts, toasted sesame seeds, coriander and mint this colourful dish is bursting with so many delicious flavours.

#vegan #veganrecipes #flexitarian #instafood #instagood #salad #summer #plantbased #plantbasedfood #veggie #meatfree #vegano
If you pick up this month's issue of veganfoodandliving you might spot a few of my recipes including my crunchy Asian red cabbage slaw. 

Tossed in a deliciously zingy lime dressing and topped with peanuts, toasted sesame seeds, coriander and mint this colourful dish is bursting with so many delicious flavours.

#vegan #veganrecipes #flexitarian #instafood #instagood #salad #summer #plantbased #plantbasedfood #veggie #meatfree #vegano
theflexitarianuk
theflexitarianuk
•
Follow
If you pick up this month's issue of veganfoodandliving you might spot a few of my recipes including my crunchy Asian red cabbage slaw. Tossed in a deliciously zingy lime dressing and topped with peanuts, toasted sesame seeds, coriander and mint this colourful dish is bursting with so many delicious flavours. #vegan #veganrecipes #flexitarian #instafood #instagood #salad #summer #plantbased #plantbasedfood #veggie #meatfree #vegano
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
3/6
Bursting with flavours this Garlic & Tomato Pasta makes a delicious and easy summer dish that is perfect for this hot weather. You can serve it slightly warm or at room temperature. It is also scrumptious the next day as a cold leftover.

This is an old family recipe that back home we call Pâtes à l’ail. Growing up, my Sicilian great-aunt (yes I am a 1/4 Italian in case you did not know 😉) would make it for us in the summer when tomatoes are at their best. 

Like any recipe that has been passed down through generations, creating a written version of it, involved quite a few phone calls between my mum and one of our cousins. Everyone in the family makes this Garlic & Tomato Pasta from memory, adding their own twist and using approximate quantities of ingredients. My version is even more different as I have added cannellini beans for protein.

You can find the recipe on the blog. Link in my bio.

#vegan #plantbased #veganfood #flexitarian #meatfree #veggie #vegansofig #veganrecipes #recipes #instagood #instafood #instavegan #pasta #tomato #italian #summer
theflexitarianuk
theflexitarianuk
•
Follow
Bursting with flavours this Garlic & Tomato Pasta makes a delicious and easy summer dish that is perfect for this hot weather. You can serve it slightly warm or at room temperature. It is also scrumptious the next day as a cold leftover. This is an old family recipe that back home we call Pâtes à l’ail. Growing up, my Sicilian great-aunt (yes I am a 1/4 Italian in case you did not know 😉) would make it for us in the summer when tomatoes are at their best. Like any recipe that has been passed down through generations, creating a written version of it, involved quite a few phone calls between my mum and one of our cousins. Everyone in the family makes this Garlic & Tomato Pasta from memory, adding their own twist and using approximate quantities of ingredients. My version is even more different as I have added cannellini beans for protein. You can find the recipe on the blog. Link in my bio. #vegan #plantbased #veganfood #flexitarian #meatfree #veggie #vegansofig #veganrecipes #recipes #instagood #instafood #instavegan #pasta #tomato #italian #summer
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
4/6
Happy #MeatFreeMonday everyone! 💚🌍

Here is a brand NEW recipe...

Topped with melted cheese, kimchi and eggs, these flatbreads make a delicious lunch or light dinner. Serve them with plenty of dill and yoghurt. So good 😋

You can find the recipe on the blog. Link in my bio.

#vegetarian #flexitarian #meatfree #veggie #recipes #instagood #instafood  #meatlessmonday #eggs #vegetarianrecipe #veggierecipe #vegetariano
theflexitarianuk
theflexitarianuk
•
Follow
Happy #MeatFreeMonday everyone! 💚🌍 Here is a brand NEW recipe... Topped with melted cheese, kimchi and eggs, these flatbreads make a delicious lunch or light dinner. Serve them with plenty of dill and yoghurt. So good 😋 You can find the recipe on the blog. Link in my bio. #vegetarian #flexitarian #meatfree #veggie #recipes #instagood #instafood #meatlessmonday #eggs #vegetarianrecipe #veggierecipe #vegetariano
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
5/6
🆕Topped with grilled nectarines, granola, and a silky maple cashew cream, these vegan waffles are absolutely scrumptious. You can enjoy them at breakfast or for dessert.😋

Grab the recipe on the blog. Link in my bio. 

#flexitarian #waffles #breakfast  #summer #summervibes #summertime  #recipes #recipe #instagood #instafood #weekend #weekendvibes #saturday #saturdayvibes #healthy #healthyfood #healthyrecipes #simple #plantbased #plantbasedfood
theflexitarianuk
theflexitarianuk
•
Follow
🆕Topped with grilled nectarines, granola, and a silky maple cashew cream, these vegan waffles are absolutely scrumptious. You can enjoy them at breakfast or for dessert.😋 Grab the recipe on the blog. Link in my bio. #flexitarian #waffles #breakfast #summer #summervibes #summertime #recipes #recipe #instagood #instafood #weekend #weekendvibes #saturday #saturdayvibes #healthy #healthyfood #healthyrecipes #simple #plantbased #plantbasedfood
4 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
6/6
View on Instagram

Footer

The Flexitarian

Less Meat, More Plants

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

SEARCH THIS SITE

NEVER MISS A POST

Subscribe today to receive weekly new recipes, eco tips, competitions and so much more ... straight to your inbox!

Copyright © 2022 · The Flexitarian · Privacy Policy