Balanced diet - meaning and food groups

<!DOCTYPE html>  <html lang="en-AU"> <head> <title>Balanced diet - meaning and food groups | healthdirect</title> <script src="https://www.google.com/recaptcha/api.js?render=6LeuO7AbAAAAAFFZKM3tkkJpyASWHzTJ-_fpMK7y" async defer></script> <meta name="apple-itunes-app" content="app-id=1021494621"> <meta name="description" content="It’s important to eat a balanced diet. Make sure you choose foods from the 5 food groups. The amounts you need vary depending on your life stage."> <meta charset="utf-8"> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0"> <meta name="referrer" content="always" /> <meta name="DC.Format" schema="DCterms:IMT" content="http://purl.org/ontology/nhccn#text_html" /><meta name="DC.Type" content="http://purl.org/ontology/nhccn#text_html"> <meta name="DC.Title" xml:lang="EN" content="A balanced diet" /> <meta name="DC.Creator" content="Healthdirect Australia"> <meta name="DC.Subject" xml:lang="EN" content="Healthy diet,Nutrition Guidelines"> <meta name="DC.Publisher" content="Healthdirect Australia"> <meta name="DC.Date" scheme="ISO8601" content="2024-09-24T02:05:01.365Z"> <meta name="DC.Description" xml:lang="EN" content="It’s important to eat a balanced diet. Make sure you choose foods from the 5 food groups. The amounts you need vary depending on your life stage."> <meta name="DC.Rights" content="Healthdirect Australia"> <meta name="DC.Language" content="en-AU"> <meta property="og:title" content="A balanced diet" > <meta property="og:type" content="article" > <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/balanced-diet" > <meta property="og:image" content="https://media.healthdirect.org.au/images/general/primary/a-balanced-diet_0.jpg"> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/balanced-diet"> <link rel="amphtml" href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/amp/article/balanced-diet"> <script type="application/ld+json">{"image":"https://media.healthdirect.org.au/images/banners/w760h217/a-balanced-diet_0_h.jpg","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"What are the 5 food groups?","@id":"https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/balanced-diet#Question1","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","name":"What are the 5 food groups? Answer","text":"A healthy diet does not need to be complicated. Eat foods from the 5 food groups every day. The 5 food groups are: vegetables and legumes (beans) fruit grains and cereals lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs, legumes (beans), tofu, nuts, seeds milk, cheese, yoghurt or alternatives Each food group has important nutrients. The amount of each food you need will vary during your life. Your diet will depend on factors such as: how active you are whether or not you are growing whether or not you are pregnant or breastfeeding","@id":"https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/balanced-diet#Answer1"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Why should I eat vegetables and legumes (beans and peas)?","@id":"https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/balanced-diet#Question2","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","name":"Why should I eat vegetables and legumes (beans and peas)? Answer","text":"Vegetables and legumes are rich in nutrients such as: vitamins minerals dietary fibre To get the most nutrition, make sure you choose: vegetables that are in season fresh, frozen or canned vegetables different coloured vegetables: greens like beans, peas, spinach, brussels sprouts and broccoli red, orange, or yellow vegetables like capsicums, tomatoes, carrots, sweet potato, and pumpkin purple vegetables like red cabbage and eggplant white vegetables like cauliflower, mushrooms and potatoes How many vegetables and legumes should I eat? Life stage\tNumber of serves 2 to 3 year-olds\t2½ serves a day 4 to 8 year-olds\t4½ serves a day people aged 9 years and over\t5 – 6 serves a day pregnant people\t5 serves a day breastfeeding people\t7½ serves a day One serve of vegetables and legumes is equal to: ½ cup, cooked vegetables and legumes 1 cup, raw vegetables and legumes You can include vegetables at lunch as well as dinner, by eating: raw veggies salad soup roasted vegetables on sandwiches or in salads Cherry tomatoes, snow peas, green beans, red capsicum, celery, or carrot sticks with hummus make a great snack.","@id":"https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/balanced-diet#Answer2"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Why should I eat fruit?","@id":"https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/balanced-diet#Question3","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","name":"Why should I eat fruit? Answer","text":"Fresh fruit is a good source of vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre. How much fruit should I eat? Life stage\tNumber of serves 2 to 3 year-olds\t1 serve a day 4 to 8 year-olds\t1½ serves a day people over 9 years\t2 serves a day A single serve of fruit is one of the following: 1 piece of medium-sized fruit 2 pieces of small-sized fruit ½ cup (125ml) of 100% fruit juice 1 cup of diced, cooked, or canned fruit 30g of dried fruit If you want to have fruit juice, drink it only occasionally. Half a cup (125ml) is enough. Fruit juices without pulp lack fibre. Commercial fruit juices are often high in sugars, which can damage your tooth enamel. If you choose to eat canned fruit, choose options that are canned in water or natural juice. Dried fruit also has a high sugar content. It is only suitable as an occasional extra.","@id":"https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/balanced-diet#Answer3"}}],"keywords":["healthy food habits","healthy food choices","food choices","eating healthy","healthy diet","food groups","balanced diet"],"@type":"FAQPage","name":"A balanced diet","description":"It’s important to eat a balanced diet. Make sure you choose foods from the 5 food groups. The amounts you need vary depending on your life stage.","@id":"https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/balanced-diet","@context":"http://schema.org","url":"https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/balanced-diet","sameAs":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healthy_diet"}</script> <script src="https://cdn-oc.readspeaker.com/script/8207/webReader/webReader.js?pids=wr" type="text/javascript" id="rs_req_Init"></script> <script> dataLayer = []; </script>  <script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-MHFB33K');</script>  <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="180x180" href="/assets/images/apple-touch-icon.png"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="512x512" href="/assets/images/android-chrome-512x512.png"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="192x192" href="/assets/images/android-chrome-192x192.png"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="32x32" href="/assets/images/favicon-32x32.png"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="16x16" href="/assets/images/favicon-16x16.png">  <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/assets/711/styles/main.css"> <style type="text/css"> .grecaptcha-badge{ display:none; } </style> <script type="text/javascript"> var HDW = {mediaCdn:'https://media.healthdirect.org.au/', siteId:'hin', nhsdApi:'7de96a3a4efb4b93b19035e6ee7554ef'} </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/assets/711/scripts/veyron.js"></script> </head> <body >  <noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-MHFB33K" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript>  <header class="hda-head"> <div class="hda-head_content"> <div class="hda-head_content-common"> <div class="hda-head_col-logo"> <a href="/" class="hda-head_col-logo-link"> <img class="hda-head_col-logo-img" src="/assets/images/logo-hda.svg" alt="healthdirect australia logo"> </a> </div> <div class="hda-head_col-mob-menu mobile-only"> <script type="text/javascript">function getHeaderButtonsMobileHtml(isLoggedIn, baseUrl) { switch (isLoggedIn) { case true: return String.raw` <div class="hda-head_col-mob-menu-account" id="header-buttons-mobile"> <button class="hda-head_col-mob-menu-account-signout-btn" aria-controls="menu-sign" aria-haspopup="menu" aria-expanded="false" onclick="handleToggle()" > <i aria-hidden="true" class="dor-icon_user-circle"></i><span class="sr-only">Sign out</span> </button> <ul id="menu-sign" role="menu" class="hda-head_col-mob-menu-account-list" style="display: none"> <li><a href="/account/dashboard">Dashboard</a></li> <li><a href="/account/care-advice">Care advice</a></li> <li><a href="/account/profile">Profile</a></li> <li><a href="/" onclick="return handleSignOutMobile('${baseUrl}')">Sign out</a></li> </ul> </div>` case false: return String.raw` <div class="hda-head_col-mob-menu-account" id="header-buttons-mobile"> <button class="hda-head_col-mob-menu-account-signin-btn" aria-controls="menu-sign" aria-haspopup="menu" aria-expanded="false" onclick="handleToggle()" > <i aria-hidden="true" class="dor-icon_user-circle-o"></i><span class="sr-only">Sign in</span> </button> <ul id="menu-sign" role="menu" class="hda-head_col-mob-menu-account-list" style="display: none"> <li><a href="/account/join">Join</a></li> <li><a href="/account/signin">Sign in</a></li> </ul> </div>` } }; async function handleSignOutMobile(baseUrl) { const hasBeenSignedOut = await fetch(baseUrl.concat("auth/sign-out"), { method: "POST", headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json", }, body: JSON.stringify({ data: { type: "sign-out", attributes: { accessToken: localStorage.getItem('access_token'), } } }) }).then(response => response.status === 204).catch(console.error); // redirect to the homepage if (hasBeenSignedOut) { localStorage.removeItem('access_token'); localStorage.removeItem('session_token'); localStorage.removeItem('email'); localStorage.removeItem('refresh_token'); window.location.href = '/'; } return false; }; function handleToggle() { const menu = document.getElementById('menu-sign'); if (menu.style.display === "none") menu.style.display = "block"; else menu.style.display = "none"; }</script> <div class="hda-head_col-mob-menu-account" id="header-buttons-mobile"> <button class="hda-head_col-mob-menu-account-signin-btn" aria-controls="menu-sign" aria-haspopup="menu" aria-expanded="false" onclick="handleToggle()" > <i aria-hidden="true" class="dor-icon_user-circle-o"></i><span class="sr-only">Sign in</span> </button> <ul id="menu-sign" role="menu" class="hda-head_col-mob-menu-account-list" style="display: none"> <li><a href="/account/join">Join</a></li> <li><a href="/account/signin">Sign in</a></li> </ul> </div> <script> (async() => { const headerButtonsMobile = document.getElementById('header-buttons-mobile'); const isLoggedIn = !!localStorage.getItem('access_token'); headerButtonsMobile.outerHTML = getHeaderButtonsMobileHtml(isLoggedIn, "https://prd.uim.hda-online.com.au/"); })(); </script> <button class="hda-head_col-mob-menu-btn" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false"> <i aria-hidden="true" class="hda-head_col-mob-menu-btn-icon"></i> Menu </button> </div> <div class="hda-head_col-tagline"> <h1 class="hda-head_col-tagline-line"><span class="sr-only">Healthdirect </span><span>Free Australian health advice you can count on.</span></h1> </div> <script type="text/javascript">function getHeaderButtonsHtml(isLoggedIn, baseUrl) { switch (isLoggedIn) { case true: return String.raw` <div class="hda-head_col-user-acc-sign-out" id="header-buttons"> <a class="ua-lnk_dash" href="/account/dashboard"><i class="dor-icon_user-circle-o" aria-hidden="true"></i> <span>My account</span></a> <button class="ua-btn_outlined" onclick="handleSignOut('${baseUrl}')">Sign out</button> </div> ` case false: return String.raw` <div class="hda-head_col-user-acc-sign-in" id="header-buttons"> <button class="ua-btn_filled" onclick="handleJoin()">Join</button> <button class="ua-btn_outlined" onclick="handleSignIn()">Sign in</button> </div> ` } }; async function handleSignOut(baseUrl) { const hasBeenSignedOut = await fetch(baseUrl.concat("auth/sign-out"), { method: "POST", headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json", }, body: JSON.stringify({ data: { type: "sign-out", attributes: { accessToken: localStorage.getItem('access_token'), } } }) }).then(response => response.status === 204).catch(console.error); // redirect to the homepage if (hasBeenSignedOut) { localStorage.removeItem('access_token'); localStorage.removeItem('session_token'); localStorage.removeItem('email'); localStorage.removeItem('refresh_token'); window.location.href = '/'; } }; function handleSignIn() { window.location.href = '/account/signin'; }; function handleJoin() { window.location.href = '/account/join'; }</script> <div class="hda-head_col-user-acc-sign-in" id="header-buttons"> <button class="ua-btn_filled" onclick="handleJoin()">Join</button> <button class="ua-btn_outlined" onclick="handleSignIn()">Sign in</button> </div> <script> (async() => { const headerButtons = document.getElementById('header-buttons'); const isLoggedIn = !!localStorage.getItem('access_token'); headerButtons.outerHTML = getHeaderButtonsHtml(isLoggedIn, "https://prd.uim.hda-online.com.au/"); })(); </script> <div class="hda-head_content-common-print"> <p>Medical problem? Call 1800 022 222. If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero immediately</p> <p>healthdirect Australia is a free service where you can talk to a nurse or doctor who can help you know what to do.</p> </div> </div> <div class="hda-head_menu-row">  <div class="hda-head_menu-row-node-mobile-mode device-only">  <form id="search-form-node-mobile-mode" class="hda-head_menu-row-node-mobile-mode-search"> <div role="combobox" aria-expanded="false" aria-owns="header-search-suggestions" aria-haspopup="listbox"> <input tabindex="0" id="header-search-mobile-mode" class="hda-head_menu-row-node-mobile-mode-search-field" type="search" autocomplete="off" name="searchterm" placeholder="Search our site" title="Suggestion options" aria-label="Enter your search terms" aria-autocomplete="list"> </div> <ul id="header-search-suggestions" class="dropdown-menu hda-head_menu-row-node-mobile-mode-search-list veyron-search-list" role="listbox" position="position"> <li class="primary-search-list-item" role="option"> <a tabindex="-1" rel="nofollow" href="/search-results/{{url}}">{{label}}</a> </li> </ul> <button tabindex="0" aria-label="search" class="hda-head_menu-row-node-mobile-mode-search-submit veyron-search-lens-btn" type="button"> <i aria-hidden="true" class="hda-head_menu-row-node-mobile-mode-search-icon"></i> </button> </form> <script type="text/javascript"> primarySearch('node-mobile-mode'); </script> </div> <nav class="hda-head_menu-row-bar">  <ul class="hda-head_menu-row-bar-nav"> <li class="hda-head_menu-row-bar-nav-level-1-item"> <a href="/">Home</a> </li> <li class="hda-head_menu-row-bar-nav-level-1-item"> <button class="hda-js-has-secondary-menu" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false">Health topics A-Z <i aria-hidden="true" class="hda-head_menu-row-bar-nav-dropdown-icon"></i></button> <div class="hda-head_menu-row-bar-nav-level-2"> <ul> <li class="hda-head_menu-row-bar-nav-level-2-item tablet-up"> <a href="/health-topics/conditions" class="hda-head_menu-row-bar-nav-level-2-heading">Conditions</a> <a href="/gastroenteritis">Gastroenteritis</a> <a href="/skin-conditions">Skin Conditions</a> <a href="/whooping-cough">Whooping Cough</a> </li> <li class="hda-head_menu-row-bar-nav-level-2-item tablet-up"> <a href="/health-topics/symptoms" class="hda-head_menu-row-bar-nav-level-2-heading">Symptoms</a> <a href="/abdominal-pain">Abdominal Pain</a> <a href="/bites-and-stings">Bites and Stings</a> <a href="/diarrhoea">Diarrhoea</a> </li> <li class="hda-head_menu-row-bar-nav-level-2-item tablet-up"> <a href="/health-topics/procedures" class="hda-head_menu-row-bar-nav-level-2-heading">Procedures</a> <a href="/colonoscopy">Colonoscopy</a> <a href="/grommets">Grommets</a> <a href="/liposuction">Liposuction</a> <a href="/tubal-ligation">Tubal ligation</a> </li> <li class="hda-head_menu-row-bar-nav-level-2-item tablet-up"> <a href="/life-stages" class="hda-head_menu-row-bar-nav-level-2-heading">Life stages</a> <a href="/babies-and-toddlers-health">Babies and toddlers</a> <a href="/kids-health">Kids</a> <a href="/seniors-health">Seniors</a> </li> <li class="hda-head_menu-row-bar-nav-level-2-item__a-z"> <a href="/health-topics" class="hda-head_menu-row-bar-nav-level-2-heading">All topics</a> <a href="/health-topics/A">A</a> <a href="/health-topics/B">B</a> <a href="/health-topics/C">C</a> <a href="/health-topics/D">D</a> <a href="/health-topics/E">E</a> <a href="/health-topics/F">F</a> <a href="/health-topics/G">G</a> <a href="/health-topics/H">H</a> <a href="/health-topics/I">I</a> <a href="/health-topics/J">J</a> <a href="/health-topics/K">K</a> <a href="/health-topics/L">L</a> <a href="/health-topics/M">M</a> <a href="/health-topics/N">N</a> <a href="/health-topics/O">O</a> <a href="/health-topics/P">P</a> <a href="/health-topics/Q">Q</a> <a href="/health-topics/R">R</a> <a href="/health-topics/S">S</a> <a href="/health-topics/T">T</a> <a href="/health-topics/U">U</a> <a href="/health-topics/V">V</a> <a href="/health-topics/W">W</a> <a href="/health-topics/X">X</a> <a href="/health-topics/Y">Y</a> <a href="/health-topics/Z">Z</a> </li> </ul> </div> </li> <li class="hda-head_menu-row-bar-nav-level-1-item"> <a href="/medicines">Medicines</a> </li> <li class="hda-head_menu-row-bar-nav-level-1-item"> <a href="/symptom-checker">Symptom checker</a> </li> <li class="hda-head_menu-row-bar-nav-level-1-item"> <a href="/australian-health-services">Service finder</a> </li> <li class="hda-head_menu-row-bar-nav-level-1-item desktop-only">  <form id="search-form-node-desktop-mode" class="hda-head_menu-row-node-desktop-mode-search"> <div role="combobox" aria-expanded="false" aria-owns="header-search-suggestions" aria-haspopup="listbox"> <input tabindex="0" id="header-search-desktop-mode" class="hda-head_menu-row-node-desktop-mode-search-field" type="search" autocomplete="off" name="searchterm" placeholder="Search our site" title="Suggestion options" aria-label="Enter your search terms" aria-autocomplete="list"> </div> <ul id="header-search-suggestions" class="dropdown-menu hda-head_menu-row-node-desktop-mode-search-list veyron-search-list" role="listbox" position="position"> <li class="primary-search-list-item" role="option"> <a tabindex="-1" rel="nofollow" href="/search-results/{{url}}">{{label}}</a> </li> </ul> <button tabindex="0" aria-label="search" class="hda-head_menu-row-node-desktop-mode-search-submit veyron-search-lens-btn" type="button"> <i aria-hidden="true" class="hda-head_menu-row-node-desktop-mode-search-icon"></i> </button> </form> <script type="text/javascript"> primarySearch('node-desktop-mode'); </script> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> </div> <div class="hda-head_mobile-screen mobile-only"></div> <nav class="hda-head_mobile-menu mobile-only"> <header>Menu <button class="hda-head_mobile-menu-btn-close">Close <i aria-hidden="true" class="hda-head_mobile-menu-btn-close-icon"></i></button></header> <ul class="hda-head_mobile-menu-lvl-1"> <li> <a href="/">Home <i aria-hidden="true" class="hda-head_mobile-menu-icon"></i></a> </li> <li> <a href="#" data-ga-finder="Top menu,Health topics A-Z,#">Health topics A-Z <i aria-hidden="true" class="hda-head_mobile-menu-icon"></i></a> <ul class="hda-head_mobile-menu-lvl-2"> <li> <a href="/health-topics/conditions">Conditions <i aria-hidden="true" class="hda-head_mobile-menu-icon"></i></a> </li> <li> <a href="/health-topics/symptoms">Symptoms <i aria-hidden="true" class="hda-head_mobile-menu-icon"></i></a> </li> <li> <a href="/health-topics/procedures">Procedures <i aria-hidden="true" class="hda-head_mobile-menu-icon"></i></a> </li> <li> <a href="/life-stages">Life stages <i aria-hidden="true" class="hda-head_mobile-menu-icon"></i></a> </li> <li> <a href="/health-topics">All topics <i aria-hidden="true" class="hda-head_mobile-menu-icon"></i></a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="/medicines">Medicines <i aria-hidden="true" class="hda-head_mobile-menu-icon"></i></a> </li> <li> <a href="/symptom-checker">Symptom checker <i aria-hidden="true" class="hda-head_mobile-menu-icon"></i></a> </li> <li> <a href="/australian-health-services">Service finder <i aria-hidden="true" class="hda-head_mobile-menu-icon"></i></a> </li> </ul> </nav> <script type="text/javascript"> initHeader(); </script>  <script type="text/javascript" src="/assets/711/scripts/idle-session-timeout.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/assets/711/scripts/http-helper.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/assets/711/scripts/auth.js"></script>  </header> <section class="main"> <a id="backToTop"></a> <section class="main_content"> <div class="main_content-col-left"> <section class="main_hero-images"> <h1 class="sr-only">A child choosing between donuts and veggies.</h1> <img alt="A child choosing between donuts and veggies." title="A child choosing between donuts and veggies." src="https://media.healthdirect.org.au/images/banners/w760h217/a-balanced-diet_0_h.jpg"> </section> <div class="floating-header-offset mobile-only" id="socialsharebuttonanchor"></div> <main class="main_content-article-text" id="mainContentArticleText"> <header> <a id="main_content-text"><span class="sr-only">beginning of content</span></a> <h1 class="main_content-title-text">A balanced diet</h1> <div class="main_content-article-layout_meta_actions"> <p><em>15-minute read</em></p> <span class="rs_do_not_process"> <div class="social-section_share socialshare-node-desktop-mode blog__node-desktop-mode"> <div class="social-section_share-platforms"> <button class="social-section_share-platforms-print veyron-social-share-print-btn"> <i aria-hidden="true" class="social-icon_print"></i> Print </button> <div class="social-section_share-platforms-group"> <button class="social-section_share-platforms-group-btn" aria-haspopup="false" aria-expanded="false"><i aria-hidden="true" class="dor-icon_share"></i> Share</button> <div class="social-section_share-platforms-group-menu"> <div class="social-section_share-platforms-group-menu-tail"></div> <a title="Share this page on Facebook" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/balanced-diet"> <i aria-hidden="true" class="social-icon_facebook"></i> <span class="sr-only">share via Facebook</span> </a> <button class="share-email-button veyron-social-share-email-btn"> <i aria-hidden="true" class="social-icon_email"></i> <span class="sr-only">share via Email</span> </button> </div> </div> <script type="text/javascript">async function save(articlePath, baseUrl) { const isLoggedIn = !!localStorage.getItem('access_token'); if(!isLoggedIn) window.location.href = '/account/join?articleId='.concat(articlePath); const saveButton = document.getElementById('save-button'); saveButton.setAttribute('disabled', true); // Get Family detail from an API const myFamilyDetail = await fetch(baseUrl.concat("user/family-member"), { method: 'GET', headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json", "Authorization": localStorage.getItem("access_token"), }, }).then(response => response.json()) .then(famMembers => famMembers.data.find(member => member.attributes.isAccountHolder === true)) .catch(err=> null); if(!myFamilyDetail) { console.error("Unable to find the family member ID") return; }; const hasBeenSaved = await fetch(baseUrl.concat("user/article-save"), { method: 'POST', headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json", "Authorization": localStorage.getItem("access_token"), }, body: JSON.stringify({ data: { type: "article-save", attributes: { linkedArticleId: articlePath, familyMemberId: myFamilyDetail.id, } } }), }).then(response => response.json()) .then(result => !!result.data) if (hasBeenSaved) saveButton.outerHTML = getButtonSaveHtml('saved', articlePath, baseUrl) else window.location.href = '/account/join?articleId='.concat(articlePath); }; async function unsave(articlePath, baseUrl) { const isLoggedIn = !!localStorage.getItem('access_token'); if(!isLoggedIn) window.location.href = '/account/join?articleId='.concat(articlePath); const saveButton = document.getElementById('save-button'); saveButton.setAttribute('disabled', true); const articles = await fetch(baseUrl.concat("user/article-save?linkedArticleId=").concat(articlePath), { method: 'GET', headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json", "Authorization": localStorage.getItem("access_token"), } }).then(response => response.json()) .catch(error => console.log('error', error)); const familyMemberId = articles.included[0].id; const familyMembersArticle = articles.data.find(article => ( article.relationships["family-member"].data.id === familyMemberId && article.attributes.linkedArticleId === articlePath) ); const hasBeenUnsaved = await fetch(baseUrl.concat("user/article-save/").concat(familyMembersArticle.id), { method: 'DELETE', headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json", "Authorization": localStorage.getItem("access_token"), } }).then(response => response.status) .then(result => result === 204) if (hasBeenUnsaved) saveButton.outerHTML = getButtonSaveHtml('unsaved', articlePath, baseUrl) else window.location.href = '/account/join?articleId='.concat(articlePath); }; function getButtonSaveHtml(state, articlePath, baseUrl) { switch (state) { case 'loading': return String.raw` <button id="save-button" disabled class="social-section_share-platforms-heart"> <i aria-hidden="true" class="social-icon_heart"></i> Save</button>` case 'unsaved': return String.raw` <button id="save-button" onclick="save('${articlePath}', '${baseUrl}')" class="social-section_share-platforms-heart"> <i aria-hidden="true" class="social-icon_heart"></i> Save</button>` case 'saved': return String.raw` <button id="save-button" onclick="unsave('${articlePath}', '${baseUrl}')" class="social-section_share-platforms-heart saved"> <i aria-hidden="true" class="social-icon_heart"></i> Saved</button>` } }</script> <button id="save-button" disabled class="social-section_share-platforms-heart"> <i aria-hidden="true" class="social-icon_heart"></i> Save</button> <script> (async () => { const saveButton = document.getElementById('save-button'); let isSaved = 'unsaved'; const isLoggedIn = !!localStorage.getItem('access_token'); if(isLoggedIn) { const result = await fetch("https://prd.uim.hda-online.com.au/" + "user/article-save?linkedArticleId=balanced-diet", { method: 'GET', headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json", "Authorization": localStorage.getItem("access_token"), }, }).then(response => response.json()) .then(result => { const articlePath = "balanced-diet"; const encodedArticlePath = encodeURIComponent(articlePath); if(result && result.data) { const savedArticle = result.data.find(article => article.attributes.linkedArticleId === encodedArticlePath); return !!savedArticle ? 'saved' : 'unsaved'; } return 'unsaved'; }) .catch(error => console.log('error', error)); isSaved = result; } saveButton.outerHTML = getButtonSaveHtml(isSaved, "balanced-diet", "https://prd.uim.hda-online.com.au/") })() </script> <div class="popup-content hidden"> <form name="shareForm" novalidate class="social-section_share-form"> <header class="dor-modal_body-header"> <h2>Share via email</h2> </header> <section class="dor-modal_body-main veyron-global-popup-body-main"> <section class="dor-modal_body-main-notifications"> <div class="form-error-list dor-form_error-area hidden" tabindex="0"> <p>There is a total of <span>5</span> error<span>s</span> on this form, details are below.</p> <ul> <li id="txtNameErrorLabelList" class="hidden"><a href="#txtName">Please enter your name</a></li> <li id="txtFromEmailErrorLabelList" class="hidden"><a href="#txtFromEmail">Please enter your email</a> </li> <li id="txtFromEmailErrorLabel1List" class="hidden"><a href="#txtFromEmail">Your email is invalid. Please check and try again</a></li> <li id="txtToEmailErrorLabelList" class="hidden"><a href="#txtToEmail">Please enter recipient's email</a></li> <li id="txtToEmailErrorLabel1List" class="hidden"><a href="#txtToEmail">Recipient's email is invalid. Please check and try again</a></li> <li id="termsChkErrorLabelList" class="hidden"><a href="#chkTerms">Agree to Terms required</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="dor-form_success-area hidden gaTrackCaptcha-fail" id="recaptcha"> Thank you for sharing our content. A message has been sent to your recipient's email address with a link to the content webpage. </div> </section> <section class="dor-modal_body-main-content"> <div class="dor-form_input-group"> <label id="lblName">Your name: <span class="sr-only">is required</span></label> <p id="txtNameErrorLabel" class="dor-form_input-group-error hidden"><span class="sr-only">Error: </span>This is required</p> <div class="dor-text-input_group"> <i aria-hidden="true" class="dor-icon_user"></i> <input class="dor-text-input_group-txt-input" type="text" id="txtName" name="shareFromName" maxlength="50" aria-labelledby="lblName" aria-describedby="txtNameErrorLabel" aria-invalid="false" required> </div> </div> <div class="dor-form_input-group"> <label id="lblFromEmail">Your email: <span class="sr-only">is required</span></label> <p id="txtFromEmailErrorLabel" class="dor-form_input-group-error hidden"><span class="sr-only">Error: </span>This is required</p> <p id="txtFromEmailErrorLabel1" class="dor-form_input-group-error hidden"><span class="sr-only">Error: </span>Not a valid value</p> <div class="dor-text-input_group"> <i aria-hidden="true" class="dor-icon_envelope"></i> <input class="dor-text-input_group-txt-input" type="email" id="txtFromEmail" name="shareFromEmail" maxlength="50" aria-labelledby="lblFromEmail" aria-describedby="txtFromEmailErrorLabel txtFromEmailErrorLabel1" aria-invalid="false" required data-pattern=^[a-zA-Z0-9.'!#$%&*+/=?^{|}~_-]+(\.[a-zA-Z0-9.'!#$%&*+/=?^{|}~_-]+)*@[a-zA-Z0-9-]+(\.[a-zA-Z0-9-]+)*(\.[a-zA-Z]{2,4})> </div> </div> <div class="dor-form_input-group"> <label id="lblToEmail">Send to: <span class="sr-only"> is required</span></label> <p id="txtToEmailErrorLabel" class="dor-form_input-group-error hidden"><span class="sr-only">Error: </span>This is required</p> <p id="txtToEmailErrorLabel1" class="dor-form_input-group-error hidden"><span class="sr-only">Error: </span>Not a valid value</p> <div class="dor-text-input_group"> <i aria-hidden="true" class="dor-icon_envelope"></i> <input class="dor-text-input_group-txt-input" type="email" id="txtToEmail" name="shareToEmail" aria-labelledby="lblToEmail" maxlength="50" aria-describedby="txtToEmailErrorLabel txtToEmailErrorLabel1" aria-invalid="false" required data-pattern=^[a-zA-Z0-9.'!#$%&*+/=?^{|}~_-]+(\.[a-zA-Z0-9.'!#$%&*+/=?^{|}~_-]+)*@[a-zA-Z0-9-]+(\.[a-zA-Z0-9-]+)*(\.[a-zA-Z]{2,4})> </div> </div> <div class="dor-form_input-group"> <p id="termsChkErrorLabel" class="dor-form_input-group-error hidden"><span class="sr-only">Error: </span>This is required</p> <label id="chkTerms" class="dor-chkrdo_group" aria-describedby="termsChkErrorLabel"> <input id="termsChk" class="checkbox-group-input" type="checkbox" name="terms" required> I have read and agree to the <a href="/terms-of-use" target="_blank">Terms of Use</a> and <a href="/privacy-policy" target="_blank">Privacy Policy</a><span class="sr-only"> is required</span>. <i aria-hidden="true" class="dor-chkrdo_group__off"></i> <i aria-hidden="true" class="dor-chkrdo_group__on"></i> </label> </div> </section> </section> <footer class="dor-modal_body-footer"> <button class="g-recaptcha dor-modal_body-footer-action" type="submit" title="Send to a friend via email" data-sitekey="6LeuO7AbAAAAAFFZKM3tkkJpyASWHzTJ-_fpMK7y" data-callback='onSubmit' data-error-callback='onError' data-size="invisible">Submit</button> </footer> </form> </div> <script type="text/javascript">function onSubmit(token) { sendNotification(); }; function onError(error) {}</script> </div> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> initialiseSocialShare('socialshare-node-desktop-mode', "https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/balanced-diet"); </script> </span> </div> <div id="readspeaker_button1" class="rs_skip rsbtn rs_preserve"> <a rel="nofollow" class="rsbtn_play" accesskey="L" title="Listen to this page using ReadSpeaker" href="//app-oc.readspeaker.com/cgi-bin/rsent?customerid=8207&lang=en_au&readid=mainContentArticleText&url=https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/balanced-diet"> <span class="rsbtn_left rsimg rspart"><span class="rsbtn_text"><span>Listen</span></span></span> <span class="rsbtn_right rsimg rsplay rspart"></span> </a> </div> </header> <div class="main_content-body-text"><nav class="cont_nav-index-table__double-col"> <h2>On this page</h2> <ul> <li><a href="#what-are">What are the 5 food groups?</a></li> <li><a href="#vegetables ">Why should I eat vegetables and legumes (beans and peas)?</a></li> <li><a href="#fruit">Why should I eat fruit?</a></li> <li><a href="#grains">Why should I eat grains and cereal foods?</a></li> <li><a href="#meat">Why should I eat lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs, legumes (beans), tofu, nuts, and seeds?</a></li> <li><a href="#dairy">Why should I eat milk, cheese and yoghurt?</a></li> <li><a href="#oils">What oils and spreads should I use?</a></li> <li><a href="#other">What about other foods?</a></li> <li><a href="#resources">Resources and support</a></li> <li><a href="#searchGeneralResults">Related information on Australian websites</a></li> </ul> </nav> <h2 id="what-are">What are the 5 food groups?</h2> <p>A healthy diet does not need to be complicated. Eat foods from the 5 food groups every day. The 5 food groups are:</p> <ul> <li>vegetables and legumes (beans)</li> <li>fruit</li> <li>grains and cereals</li> <li>lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs, legumes (beans), tofu, nuts, seeds</li> <li><a href="/dairy-foods">milk, cheese, yoghurt</a> or alternatives</li> </ul> <p>Each food group has important nutrients.</p> <p>The amount of each food you need will vary during your life. Your diet will depend on factors such as:</p> <ul> <li>how active you are</li> <li>whether or not you are growing</li> <li>whether or not you are <a href="https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/healthy-diet-during-pregnancy" target="_blank">pregnant</a> or <a href="https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/diet-and-medication-while-breastfeeding" target="_blank">breastfeeding</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="vegetables">Why should I eat vegetables and legumes (beans and peas)?</h2> <p>Vegetables and legumes are rich in nutrients such as:</p> <ul> <li>vitamins</li> <li>minerals</li> <li>dietary <a href="/high-fibre-foods-and-diet">fibre</a></li> </ul> <p>To get the most nutrition, make sure you choose:</p> <ul> <li>vegetables that are in season</li> <li>fresh, frozen or canned vegetables</li> <li>different coloured vegetables:</li> <ul> <li>greens like beans, peas, spinach, brussels sprouts and broccoli</li> <li>red, orange, or yellow vegetables like capsicums, tomatoes, carrots, sweet potato, and pumpkin</li> <li>purple vegetables like red cabbage and eggplant</li> <li>white vegetables like cauliflower, mushrooms and potatoes</li> </ul> </ul> <h3>How many vegetables and legumes should I eat?</h3> <table border="1" cellpadding="5"> <tbody> <tr bgcolor="#0c4757"> <td style="color:white;"><strong>Life stage</strong></td> <td style="color:white;"><strong>Number of serves</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>2 to 3 year-olds</strong></td> <td>2½ serves a day</td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>4 to 8 year-olds</strong></td> <td>4½ serves a day</td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>people aged 9 years and over</strong></td> <td>5 – 6 serves a day</td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>pregnant people</strong></td> <td>5 serves a day</td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>breastfeeding people</strong></td> <td>7½ serves a day</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <br> <p>One serve of vegetables and legumes is equal to:</p> <ul> <li>½ cup, cooked vegetables and legumes</li> <li>1 cup, raw vegetables and legumes</li> </ul> <p>You can include vegetables at lunch as well as dinner, by eating:</p> <ul> <li>raw veggies</li> <li>salad</li> <li>soup</li> <li>roasted vegetables on sandwiches or in salads</li> </ul> <p>Cherry tomatoes, snow peas, green beans, red capsicum, celery, or carrot sticks with hummus make a great snack.</p> <h2 id="fruit">Why should I eat fruit?</h2> <p>Fresh fruit is a good source of vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre.</p> <h3>How much fruit should I eat?</h3> <table border="1" cellpadding="5"> <tbody> <tr bgcolor="#0c4757"> <td style="color:white;"><strong>Life stage</strong></td> <td style="color:white;"><strong>Number of serves</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>2 to 3 year-olds <td>1 serve a day </tr> <tr> <td><strong>4 to 8 year-olds <td>1½ serves a day</td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>people over 9 years</strong></td> <td>2 serves a day</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </br> <p>A single serve of fruit is one of the following:</p> <ul> <li>1 piece of medium-sized fruit</li> <li>2 pieces of small-sized fruit</li> <li>½ cup (125ml) of 100% fruit juice</li> <li>1 cup of diced, cooked, or canned fruit</li> <li>30g of dried fruit</li> </ul> <p>If you want to have fruit juice, drink it only occasionally. Half a cup (125ml) is enough. Fruit juices without pulp lack fibre. Commercial fruit juices are often high in <a href="/sugar">sugars</a>, which can damage your <a href="/mouth-and-teeth">tooth enamel</a>.</p> <p>If you choose to eat canned fruit, choose options that are canned in water or natural juice. Dried fruit also has a high sugar content. It is only suitable as an occasional extra.</p> <h2 id="grains">Why should I eat grains and cereal foods?</h2> <p>Grain and cereal foods include rolled oats, brown rice, wholemeal and wholegrain breads, cracked wheat, barley, buckwheat, and breakfast cereals. Wholegrain foods are better for you because they have more fibre and vitamins.</p> <h3>How much grains and cereals should I eat?</h3> <table border="1" cellpadding="5"> <tbody> <tr bgcolor="#0c4757"> <td style="color:white;"><strong>Life stage</strong></td> <td style="color:white;"><strong>Number of serves</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>2 to 8 year-olds</strong></td> <td>start with 4 serves a day</td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>9 to 11 year-olds</strong></td> <td>4 – 5 serves a day</td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>12 to 13 year-olds</strong></td> <td>5 – 6 serves</td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>14 to 18 year-olds</strong></td> <td>7+ serves</td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>adults</strong></td> <td>3 – 6 serves a day</td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>pregnant people</strong></td> <td>8½ serves a day</td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>breastfeeding people</strong></td> <td>9 serves a day</td> </tr> <tr> </table> </tbody> <br> <p>A serve is one of the following:</p> <ul> <li>1 slice of bread</li> <li>½ cup cooked rice, oats, pasta, or other grain</li> <li>3 rye crispbread</li> <li>30g of breakfast cereal (⅔ cup flakes or ¼ cup muesli)</li> </ul> <h2 id="meat">Why should I eat lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs, legumes (beans), tofu, nuts, and seeds?</h2> <p>These foods contain protein, minerals, and vitamins. Legumes, nuts, and seeds also have dietary fibre. It’s good to choose a variety of foods from this group. Oily fish such as salmon and mackerel are very healthy. It is recommended that you eat these twice per week.</p> <h3>How much protein should I eat?</h3> <table border="1" cellpadding="5"> <tbody> <tr bgcolor="#0c4757"> <td style="color:white;"><strong>Life stage</strong></td> <td style="color:white;"><strong>Number of serves</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>2 to 3 year-olds</strong></td> <td>1 serve a day</td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>4 to 8 year-olds</strong></td> <td>1½ serves a day</td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>9 to 18 year-olds</strong></td> <td>2½ serves a day</td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>males</strong></td> <td>2½ – 3 serves a day</td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>females</strong></td> <td>2 – 2½ serves</td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>pregnant people</strong></td> <td>3½ serves a day</td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>breastfeeding people</strong></td> <td>2½ serves a day</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </br> <p>A serve is one of the following:</p> <ul> <li>65g cooked red meat</li> <li>80g poultry</li> <li>100g fish</li> <li>2 eggs</li> <li>1 cup legumes</li> <li>170g tofu</li> <li>30g nuts, seeds, or pastes (peanut butter or tahini)</li> </ul> <h2 id="dairy">Why should I eat milk, cheese and yoghurt?</h2> <p><a href="/dairy-foods">Dairy products</a> give you protein, vitamins, and <a href="/calcium">calcium</a>.</p> <p>Children should have full-cream milk until they are 2 years old. Reduced-fat varieties may be suitable after that.</p> <p>Soy drinks with added calcium can be used as a milk substitute for children over one year.</p> <p>Some other <a href="/vegetarian-and-vegan-diets">plant-based</a> alternatives to milk, such as nut or oat milks, have added calcium. However, they can lack vitamin B12 and enough protein. Check your child’s total diet with a doctor or qualified dietitian before using them.</p> <p>Read more on introducing <a href="https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/allergy-foods" target="_blank">allergy foods to babies and children</a> on Pregnancy, Birth and Baby.</p> <h3>How much dairy products should I eat?</h3> <table border="1" cellpadding="5"> <tbody> <tr bgcolor="#0c4757"> <td style="color:white;"><strong>Life stage</strong></td> <td style="color:white;"><strong>Number of serves</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>2 to 3 year-olds</strong></td> <td>1 – 1½ serves a day</td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>4 to 8 year-olds</strong></td> <td>1½ – 2 serves a day</td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>9 to 18 year-olds</strong></td> <td>2½ – 3½ serves a day</td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>males</strong></td> <td>2½ – 3½ serves a day</td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>females</strong></td> <td>2½ – 4 serves a day</td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>females over 51 years</strong></td> <td>4 serves a day</td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>pregnant and breastfeeding people</strong></td> <td>2½ serves a day</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <br> <p>A serve is one of the following:</p> <ul> <li>1 cup of milk</li> <li>2 slices of cheese</li> <li>¾ cup yoghurt</li> <li>1 cup of calcium enriched plant-based milk</li> </ul> <p>If you use plant-based alternatives to milk, check that they have at least 100mg calcium per 100mL.</p> <h2 id="drink">What can I drink?</h2> <p>Apart from milk, the ideal drink for everyone is tap water.</p> <h2 id="oils">What oils and spreads should I use?</h2> <p>You can eat small amounts of unsaturated oils and spreads. These may be from:</p> <ul> <li>olives</li> <li>soybeans</li> <li>corn</li> <li>canola</li> <li>sunflower</li> <li>safflower</li> <li>sesame</li> <li>grapeseeds</li> </ul> <h2 id="other">What about other foods?</h2> <p>Foods that are not included in the 5 food groups are called ‘discretionary choices’ or ‘extras’. Some of these could be called junk foods. These foods and drinks often provide excess energy, saturated <a href="/dietary-fats">fat</a>, <a href="/sugar">sugar</a>, or <a href="/salt">salt</a>. They are often described as ‘energy-rich but nutrient-poor’. They also often replace healthier foods in the diet.</p> <p>Discretionary choices are not needed in a healthy diet. These foods include:</p> <ul> <li><a href="/alcohol">alcohol</a></li> <li>biscuits</li> <li>cakes</li> <li>store bought burgers</li> <li>cordials, sports, fruit, and energy drinks</li> <li>fried foods</li> <li>hot chips</li> <li>ice blocks</li> <li>ice cream</li> <li>lollies and chocolates</li> <li>potato crisps</li> <li>processed meats</li> <li>savoury snack foods</li> <li>soft drinks</li> </ul> <h2 id="resources">Resources and support</h2> <p>The <a href="https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/guidelines" target="_blank">Australian Dietary Guidelines</a> have up-to-date information about the kinds of foods we need to eat for health and wellbeing.</p> <p>You can also call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 to speak with a registered nurse, 24 hours, 7 days a week (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria).</p></div> <footer class="main_content-article-text-footer"> <div> <h4>Source<span>s</span>:</h4> <span> <a href="https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au" target="_blank" title="Eat For Health">Eat For Health</a> <em>(Australian Dietary Guidelines)<span></span></em> </span> </div> </footer> <p>Learn more here about the <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/about-our-content">development and quality assurance of healthdirect content</a>.</p> <p>Last reviewed: September 2022</p> <div class="main_content-back-to-top"><a href="#backToTop"><i class="dor-icon_caret-up"></i><br><span class="tablet-up__inline">Back To </span>Top</a></a></div> </main>  <section class="main_content-links print-hidden"> <section class="related-concept-section"> <h2>Search our site for</h2> <ul> <li> <a class="dor-button__pill-btn" href="/search-results/Healthy diet" title="Search results for:Healthy diet">Healthy diet</a> </li> <li> <a class="dor-button__pill-btn" href="/search-results/Nutrition Guidelines" title="Search results for:Nutrition Guidelines">Nutrition Guidelines</a> </li> </ul> </section> </section>  <section class="main_content-search"> <header> <h2>Need more information?</h2> <p>These trusted information partners have more on this topic.</p> </header> <div class="main_content-general-text"> <div> <div class="main_content-search-results-partners"> <nav class="dor-tabs__2 veyron-search-tabs" role="tablist"> <label class="dor-tabs_item" role="tab" aria-controls="searchGeneralResults" aria-selected="true"> <input type="radio" checked name="tab"> <div class="dor-tabs_item-btn veyron-search-tab-btn">General search results</div> </label> <label class="dor-tabs_item" role="tab" aria-controls="searchProfessionalResults" aria-selected="false"> <input type="radio" name="tab"> <div class="dor-tabs_item-btn veyron-search-tab-btn">Results for medical professionals</div> </label> </nav> <section id="searchGeneralResults" data-total-records="266"> <p>Top results</p> <a href="https://dietitiansaustralia.org.au/health-advice/what-are-australian-dietary-guidelines" data-partner-url="partners/dietitians-australia" class="main_content-search-tile" target="_blank" data-guid="ECM001|a0698cd6-8568-4daf-8e54-eea910d1cac2"> <h3>What are the Australian Dietary Guidelines? | Dietitians Australia</h3> <div class="main_content-search-tile-intro"> <p>The Australian Dietary Guidelines are a framework for healthy eating among the general population. There are 5 guidelines for healthy eating.</p> </div> <p class="main_content-search-tile-read-more"> <i aria-hidden="true" class="main_content-search-tile-read-more-icon"></i> <i id="read-more">Read more on Dietitians Australia website</i></p> <img class="main_content-search-tile-logo" alt="Dietitians Australia" src="https://media.healthdirect.org.au/images/logos/h40/dietitians_australia_logo_rgb_72ppi-(1)rendition-574c0b.png"> </a> <a href="https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/eating-well/tips-eating-well" data-partner-url="partners/nhmrc-national-health-and-medical-research-council" class="main_content-search-tile" target="_blank" data-guid="ECM001|751607c3-0fa1-4ceb-b5ca-44ce42bc96ef"> <h3>Tips for eating well | Eat For Health</h3> <div class="main_content-search-tile-intro"> <p>The recommendations in the Australian dietary guidelines and Australian guide to healthy eating help us choose foods for good health and to reduce our risk of chronic health problems.</p> </div> <p class="main_content-search-tile-read-more"> <i aria-hidden="true" class="main_content-search-tile-read-more-icon"></i> <i id="read-more">Read more on NHMRC – National Health and Medical Research Council website</i></p> <img class="main_content-search-tile-logo" alt="NHMRC – National Health and Medical Research Council" src="https://media.healthdirect.org.au/images/logos/h40/nhmrc_stackedcrest_blue-998b11.png"> </a> <a href="https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/health-advice/public-health/nutrition" data-partner-url="partners/nhmrc-national-health-and-medical-research-council" class="main_content-search-tile" target="_blank" data-guid="ECM001|906f513e-6c8f-4ed1-82ad-504196042422"> <h3>Nutrition | NHMRC</h3> <div class="main_content-search-tile-intro"> <p>Consuming a sensible, balanced diet can help us to achieve optimal health throughout life. NHMRC has guidelines for healthy eating based on the best available scientific evidence including the Australian Dietary Guidelines (2013), Infant Feeding Guidelines (2012) and Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand Including the Recommended Dietary Intakes (2006).</p> </div> <p class="main_content-search-tile-read-more"> <i aria-hidden="true" class="main_content-search-tile-read-more-icon"></i> <i id="read-more">Read more on NHMRC – National Health and Medical Research Council website</i></p> <img class="main_content-search-tile-logo" alt="NHMRC – National Health and Medical Research Council" src="https://media.healthdirect.org.au/images/logos/h40/nhmrc_stackedcrest_blue-998b11.png"> </a> <a href="https://kidney.org.au/your-kidneys/living-with-kidney-disease/health-and-wellbeing/diet-nutrition" data-partner-url="partners/kidney-health-australia" class="main_content-search-tile" target="_blank" data-guid="ECM001|ecdae913-64eb-475c-9760-44e70d68a2ed"> <h3>Diet and Nutrition | Kidney Health Australia</h3> <div class="main_content-search-tile-intro"> <p>Improve your kidney health & overall wellbeing by following a balanced diet. Diet and nutrition is extremely important when you’re on dialysis. Learn more.</p> </div> <p class="main_content-search-tile-read-more"> <i aria-hidden="true" class="main_content-search-tile-read-more-icon"></i> <i id="read-more">Read more on Kidney Health Australia website</i></p> <img class="main_content-search-tile-logo" alt="Kidney Health Australia" src="https://media.healthdirect.org.au/images/logos/h40/kha_r_stacked_rgb_2021-01-8cee26.png"> </a> <a href="https://www.ibd.mindovergut.com/nutrition/" data-partner-url="partners/mindovergut-com" class="main_content-search-tile" target="_blank" data-guid="ECM001|3ec89ffe-c503-4bd3-ade9-8f7bf0998f27"> <h3>Nutrition and IBD | Nutritional Deficiencies - IBDclinic.mindovergut.com</h3> <div class="main_content-search-tile-intro"> <p>Nutrition and IBD: Maintaining a balanced diet can be significant challenge for people with IBD. Nutritional Deficiencies occur to have had bowel resections</p> </div> <p class="main_content-search-tile-read-more"> <i aria-hidden="true" class="main_content-search-tile-read-more-icon"></i> <i id="read-more">Read more on Mindovergut.com website</i></p> <img class="main_content-search-tile-logo" alt="Mindovergut.com" src="https://media.healthdirect.org.au/images/logos/h40/mindovergut-psychological-services-logo-a52472.png"> </a> <a href="https://nutritionaustralia.org/fact-sheets/healthy-eating-pyramid/" data-partner-url="partners/nutrition-australia" class="main_content-search-tile" target="_blank" data-guid="ECM001|78e3ce30-a8b3-415a-bcdf-ac01bb7b70a9"> <h3>Healthy Eating Pyramid | Nutrition Australia</h3> <div class="main_content-search-tile-intro"> <p>Learn more about the layers of Healthy Eating Pyramid.</p> </div> <p class="main_content-search-tile-read-more"> <i aria-hidden="true" class="main_content-search-tile-read-more-icon"></i> <i id="read-more">Read more on Nutrition Australia website</i></p> <img class="main_content-search-tile-logo" alt="Nutrition Australia" src="https://media.healthdirect.org.au/images/logos/h40/Nutrition-Australia_logo.png"> </a> <a href="https://nutritionaustralia.org/fact-sheets/helping-kids-to-become-great-eaters/" data-partner-url="partners/nutrition-australia" class="main_content-search-tile" target="_blank" data-guid="ECM001|3bf9f0f4-4084-4f51-af26-570e6de6d7b4"> <h3>Helping kids to become great eaters | Nutrition Australia</h3> <div class="main_content-search-tile-intro"> <p>Getting young children to eat nutritious meals can be challenging – but it's not impossible. Try these tips for helping kids to become great eaters.</p> </div> <p class="main_content-search-tile-read-more"> <i aria-hidden="true" class="main_content-search-tile-read-more-icon"></i> <i id="read-more">Read more on Nutrition Australia website</i></p> <img class="main_content-search-tile-logo" alt="Nutrition Australia" src="https://media.healthdirect.org.au/images/logos/h40/Nutrition-Australia_logo.png"> </a> <a href="https://nutritionaustralia.org/division/nsw/caring-for-your-kidneys/" data-partner-url="partners/nutrition-australia" class="main_content-search-tile" target="_blank" data-guid="ECM001|3e33b311-56bf-4c76-a449-a539e22bb9af"> <h3>Caring for your kidneys | Nutrition Australia</h3> <div class="main_content-search-tile-intro"> <p>To achieve good kidney health, it's important to maintain a healthy weight, follow a nutritious balanced diet and stay active.</p> </div> <p class="main_content-search-tile-read-more"> <i aria-hidden="true" class="main_content-search-tile-read-more-icon"></i> <i id="read-more">Read more on Nutrition Australia website</i></p> <img class="main_content-search-tile-logo" alt="Nutrition Australia" src="https://media.healthdirect.org.au/images/logos/h40/Nutrition-Australia_logo.png"> </a> <a href="https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/how-much-food-does-my-child-need-each-day" data-partner-url="PBB" class="main_content-search-tile" target="_blank" data-guid="ECM001|f803bd58-8458-4222-b17a-c13595987d2c"> <h3>How much food does my child need?</h3> <div class="main_content-search-tile-intro"> <p>Children need a healthy variety of foods from the five food groups to grow up healthy and strong. Learn what types of food and how much according to their age.</p> </div> <p class="main_content-search-tile-read-more"> <i aria-hidden="true" class="main_content-search-tile-read-more-icon"></i> <i id="read-more">Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website</i></p> <img class="main_content-search-tile-logo" alt="Pregnancy, Birth & Baby" src="https://media.healthdirect.org.au/images/logos/h40/PBB_logo.png"> </a> <a href="https://www.preventivehealth.sa.gov.au/healthy-living/being-active-healthy/eating-well/tips-for-healthy-eating" data-partner-url="partners/sa-health" class="main_content-search-tile" target="_blank" data-guid="ECM001|7a48457a-cb48-47fa-996e-71e56b527d8a"> <h3>Tips for healthy eating • Preventive Health SA</h3> <div class="main_content-search-tile-intro"> <p>See some practical tips to eat more of each of the five food groups here; start small and try one new healthy ‘habit’ each week.</p> </div> <p class="main_content-search-tile-read-more"> <i aria-hidden="true" class="main_content-search-tile-read-more-icon"></i> <i id="read-more">Read more on SA Health website</i></p> <img class="main_content-search-tile-logo" alt="SA Health" src="https://media.healthdirect.org.au/images/logos/h40/SA-Health_logo.png"> </a> <section class="main_content-search-show-more "> <button class="main_content-search-show-more-btn" title="Show more search results" rel="nofollow">Show more</button> <i aria-hidden="true" class="main_content-search-show-more-loading"></i> </section> </section> <section id="searchProfessionalResults" class="hidden" data-total-records="16"> <p>Top results</p> <a href="https://nutritionaustralia.org/fact-sheets/adgs-standard-serves/" data-partner-url="partners/nutrition-australia" class="main_content-search-tile" target="_blank" data-guid="ECM001|90457c16-6f5d-467b-8829-d31a8475a9fe"> <h3>Australian Dietary Guidelines: Standard serves | Nutrition Australia</h3> <div class="main_content-search-tile-intro"> <p>The Australian Dietary Guidelines recommend the number of serves of each food from the five food groups to ensure Australians remain healthy and are at reduced…</p> </div> <p class="main_content-search-tile-read-more"><i aria-hidden="true" class="main_content-search-tile-read-more-icon"></i> Read more on Nutrition Australia website</p> <img class="main_content-search-tile-logo" alt="Nutrition Australia" src="https://media.healthdirect.org.au/images/logos/h40/Nutrition-Australia_logo.png"> </a> <a href="https://nutritionaustralia.org/fact-sheets/adgs-recommended-daily-intakes/" data-partner-url="partners/nutrition-australia" class="main_content-search-tile" target="_blank" data-guid="ECM001|4cfed763-00ee-48f6-99f8-d0e9ee74db79"> <h3>Australian Dietary Guidelines: Recommended daily intakes | Nutrition Australia</h3> <div class="main_content-search-tile-intro"> <p>The Australian Dietary Guidelines has outlined recommended serves of the five food groups for all ages.</p> </div> <p class="main_content-search-tile-read-more"><i aria-hidden="true" class="main_content-search-tile-read-more-icon"></i> Read more on Nutrition Australia website</p> <img class="main_content-search-tile-logo" alt="Nutrition Australia" src="https://media.healthdirect.org.au/images/logos/h40/Nutrition-Australia_logo.png"> </a> <a href="https://www.ausmed.com/learn/articles/nutrition-in-pregnancy" data-partner-url="partners/ausmed-education" class="main_content-search-tile" target="_blank" data-guid="ECM001|5ea0c947-718f-416c-bcf5-044d90f8d431"> <h3>Nutrition in Pregnancy | Ausmed</h3> <div class="main_content-search-tile-intro"> <p>Pregnancy nutrition is a topic that can easily be overlooked, yet it plays a crucial role in maternal health as well as fetal and infant wellbeing.</p> </div> <p class="main_content-search-tile-read-more"><i aria-hidden="true" class="main_content-search-tile-read-more-icon"></i> Read more on Ausmed Education website</p> <img class="main_content-search-tile-logo" alt="Ausmed Education" src="https://media.healthdirect.org.au/images/logos/h40/ausmed-new-logo-872e67.png"> </a> <a href="https://www.cochrane.org/CD013334/PUBHLTH_low-carbohydrate-diets-or-balanced-carbohydrate-diets-which-works-better-weight-loss-and-heart" data-partner-url="partners/cochrane-australia" class="main_content-search-tile" target="_blank" data-guid="ECM001|87b1d015-1dab-4837-a5ac-5f489c25508f"> <h3>Low-carbohydrate diets or balanced-carbohydrate diets: which works better for weight loss and heart disease risks? | Cochrane</h3> <div class="main_content-search-tile-intro"> <p>Authors' conclusions: There is probably little to no difference in weight reduction and changes in cardiovascular risk factors up to two years' follow-up, when overweight and obese participants without and with T2DM are randomised to either low-carbohydrate or balanced-carbohydrate weight-reducing diets</p> </div> <p class="main_content-search-tile-read-more"><i aria-hidden="true" class="main_content-search-tile-read-more-icon"></i> Read more on Cochrane Australia website</p> <img class="main_content-search-tile-logo" alt="Cochrane Australia" src="https://media.healthdirect.org.au/images/logos/h40/cochrane_australia_stacked_rgb-15fbd4.png"> </a> <a href="https://www.ausmed.com/learn/articles/anaemia-in-pregnancy" data-partner-url="partners/ausmed-education" class="main_content-search-tile" target="_blank" data-guid="ECM001|2349bef2-46c9-4ec0-b599-a26be24aab7e"> <h3>Anaemia in Pregnancy | Ausmed</h3> <div class="main_content-search-tile-intro"> <p>As defined by the World Health Organisation, the mean minimum normal haemoglobin concentration in healthy pregnant women is 110 mg/dL in the first half of pregnancy and 105 mg/dL in the second. If these levels aren’t being met, it’s likely that anaemia is the cause.</p> </div> <p class="main_content-search-tile-read-more"><i aria-hidden="true" class="main_content-search-tile-read-more-icon"></i> Read more on Ausmed Education website</p> <img class="main_content-search-tile-logo" alt="Ausmed Education" src="https://media.healthdirect.org.au/images/logos/h40/ausmed-new-logo-872e67.png"> </a> <a href="https://aci.health.nsw.gov.au/projects/long-term-follow-up-bmt/fact-sheets" data-partner-url="partners/aci-agency-for-clinical-innovation" class="main_content-search-tile" target="_blank" data-guid="ECM001|f0b51ce3-e3b7-4c42-bc46-3b7fd7848be7"> <h3>BMT long-term follow up fact sheets | Agency for Clinical Innovation</h3> <div class="main_content-search-tile-intro"> <p>Consumer fact sheets produced by the Blood and Marrow Transplant (BMT) Long-Term Follow Up project team and advised by BMT survivors.</p> </div> <p class="main_content-search-tile-read-more"><i aria-hidden="true" class="main_content-search-tile-read-more-icon"></i> Read more on ACI - Agency for Clinical Innovation website</p> <img class="main_content-search-tile-logo" alt="ACI - Agency for Clinical Innovation" src="https://media.healthdirect.org.au/images/logos/h40/aci-gov-lockup_final-2018_cmyk_ol-26b11d.png"> </a> <a href="https://pathologytestsexplained.org.au/ptests-pro.php?q=Red+blood+cell+count" data-partner-url="partners/pathology-tests-explained" class="main_content-search-tile" target="_blank" data-guid="ECM001|8a742a95-25bf-420d-a04e-ab4ce37f3131"> <h3>Red blood cell count | Pathology Tests Explained</h3> <div class="main_content-search-tile-intro"> <p>This test counts the number of red blood cells (RBC) in a litre of blood. Red blood cells, which are made in the bone marrow, carry oxygen from the lungs to</p> </div> <p class="main_content-search-tile-read-more"><i aria-hidden="true" class="main_content-search-tile-read-more-icon"></i> Read more on Pathology Tests Explained website</p> <img class="main_content-search-tile-logo" alt="Pathology Tests Explained" src="https://media.healthdirect.org.au/images/logos/h40/ptex-vertical-orientation-colored-600x275px-01-0ae8ba.png"> </a> <a href="https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Omega-3-and-mood-disorders-fact-sheet.pdf" data-partner-url="partners/black-dog-institute" class="main_content-search-tile" target="_blank" data-guid="ECM001|2bd95210-1eca-4ddf-96f2-11db4dd05a6c"> <h3>Omega-3 and mood disorders</h3> <div class="main_content-search-tile-intro"> <p></p> </div> <p class="main_content-search-tile-read-more"><i aria-hidden="true" class="main_content-search-tile-read-more-icon"></i> Read more on Black Dog Institute website</p> <img class="main_content-search-tile-logo" alt="Black Dog Institute" src="https://media.healthdirect.org.au/images/logos/h40/BlackDog_logo.png"> </a> <a href="https://www.ausmed.com/learn/articles/post-stroke-management" data-partner-url="partners/ausmed-education" class="main_content-search-tile" target="_blank" data-guid="ECM001|c8f52488-ca94-406e-8a67-9a925d98f8c8"> <h3>Post-Stroke Management and Care | Ausmed</h3> <div class="main_content-search-tile-intro"> <p>About one-third of people who have experienced a stroke are living with a disability that affects their daily life. It’s important that you know how to appropriately care for clients who have experienced a stroke, as they have complex and diverse care needs.</p> </div> <p class="main_content-search-tile-read-more"><i aria-hidden="true" class="main_content-search-tile-read-more-icon"></i> Read more on Ausmed Education website</p> <img class="main_content-search-tile-logo" alt="Ausmed Education" src="https://media.healthdirect.org.au/images/logos/h40/ausmed-new-logo-872e67.png"> </a> <a href="https://www.ausmed.com/learn/articles/wernicke-korsakoff-syndrome" data-partner-url="partners/ausmed-education" class="main_content-search-tile" target="_blank" data-guid="ECM001|374bff64-10b1-4192-b437-43b9c4ac5583"> <h3>Wernicke–Korsakoff Syndrome (WKS) | Ausmed</h3> <div class="main_content-search-tile-intro"> <p>Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS) - the composite term for the dual presence of Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) and alcoholic Korsakoff syndrome - is a form of alcohol-related brain injury associated with long-term alcoholic behaviour.</p> </div> <p class="main_content-search-tile-read-more"><i aria-hidden="true" class="main_content-search-tile-read-more-icon"></i> Read more on Ausmed Education website</p> <img class="main_content-search-tile-logo" alt="Ausmed Education" src="https://media.healthdirect.org.au/images/logos/h40/ausmed-new-logo-872e67.png"> </a> <section class="main_content-search-show-more "> <button class="main_content-search-show-more-btn" title="Show more search results" rel="nofollow">Show more</button> <i aria-hidden="true" class="main_content-search-show-more-loading"></i> </section> </section> </div> </div> </div> <div class="partner-popup-content hidden"> <header class="dor-modal_body-header"><h2>Disclaimer</h2></header> <div class="dor-modal_body-main veyron-global-popup-body-main"> <div class="dor-modal_body-main-content"> <p>Healthdirect Australia is not responsible for the content and advertising on the external website you are now entering.</p> </div> </div> <footer class="dor-modal_body-footer"> <a target="_blank" class="main-action main-action__link" role="button"><button class="dor-modal_body-footer-action">OK</button></a> </footer> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> HDW.partnerResults = JSON.parse('{\"localContentConfig\":{\"PBB\":{\"logo\":\"PBB_logo.png\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au\/\",\"name\":\"Pregnancy, Birth & Baby\"},\"MHC\":{\"logo\":\"MHC_logo.png\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.mindhealthconnect.org.au\/\",\"name\":\"mindhealthconnect\"},\"HIN\":{\"logo\":\"healthdirect_logo.png\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/\",\"name\":\"healthdirect\"},\"HCW\":{\"logo\":\"healthdirect_logo.png\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/about.healthdirect.gov.au\/\",\"name\":\"healthdirect\"}}}') initArticleSearchResults(JSON.parse('{\"general\":\"\/api\/search\/content\/general?wt=json&f.partner.facet.limit=-1&f.partner.facet.sort=count&rows=10&start=0&channel=HIN&q=(%22balanced%20diet%22%20OR%20%22dietary%20guidelines%22%20OR%20%22healthy%20diet%22)%20AND%20nutrition&fq=document_channel%3A(%22HIN%22%20OR%20%22PBB%22%20OR%20%22MHC%22%20OR%20%22HCW%22)&fq=!canonical_channel%3A%22HIN%22&fq=(canonical_channel%3A%5B*%20TO%20*%5D%20OR%20content_type%3A%22hdaptn%3ApartnerContent%22)&fq=audience_en%3A(%22Consumers%22%20OR%20%22Carers%22)\",\"professional\":\"\/api\/search\/content\/keyword?wt=json&f.partner.facet.limit=-1&f.partner.facet.sort=count&rows=10&start=0&channel=HIN&q=(%22balanced%20diet%22%20OR%20%22dietary%20guidelines%22%20OR%20%22healthy%20diet%22)%20AND%20nutrition&fq=!partner%3A%22healthdirect%22&fq=audience_en%3A%22Health%20Professionals%22\"}')); </script> </section> </div> <aside class="main_content-col-right print-hidden"> <div class="tablet-up"> <section class="related-concept-section"> <h2>Search our site for</h2> <ul> <li> <a class="dor-button__pill-btn" href="/search-results/Healthy diet" title="Search results for:Healthy diet">Healthy diet</a> </li> <li> <a class="dor-button__pill-btn" href="/search-results/Nutrition Guidelines" title="Search results for:Nutrition Guidelines">Nutrition Guidelines</a> </li> </ul> </section> <section class="widget-sym" data-ng-show="symptom" data-semantic-links="semanticLinks" layout="sidebar"> <h2>Symptom checker</h2> <p><strong>Worried about your health?</strong></p><p>Select a symptom, answer some questions, get advice.</p> <a class="widget-sym-btn" href="/symptom-checker/tool?symptom=GNRC" title="Check symptoms">Start Your Symptom Check</a> </section> <section class="hsf-panel-node-sidebar-mode veyron-search-by-service-panel "> <form data-old-class="hsf-form" name="serviceFinderForm" novalidate=""> <fieldset class="hsf-form_services"> <legend class="sr-only">service category</legend> <h2>Find a health service</h2> <section class="dor-form_error-area veyron-hsf-panel-error-list hidden" id="hadLocationErrors"> <ul> <li>Please enter a suburb or postcode of your location and select from the list.</li> <li>Unable to find your location. Please enter manually below.</li> <li>Location not found.</li> </ul> </section> <div class="hsf-form_services-cols" data-old-class="widget-hsf_content-col"> <label class="dor-chkrdo_group " > <input class="widget-hsf_content-col-rdo veyron-service-type-default" type="radio" name="selectedServiceType" data-service-name="GP (General practice)" value="aht-11222" checked="checked"> GP (General practice) <i aria-hidden="true" class="dor-chkrdo_group__off"></i> <i aria-hidden="true" class="dor-chkrdo_group__on"></i> </label> <label class="dor-chkrdo_group " > <input class="widget-hsf_content-col-rdo veyron-service-type-default" type="radio" name="selectedServiceType" data-service-name="Pharmacy" value="aht-12243" > Pharmacy <i aria-hidden="true" class="dor-chkrdo_group__off"></i> <i aria-hidden="true" class="dor-chkrdo_group__on"></i> </label> <label class="dor-chkrdo_group " > <input class="widget-hsf_content-col-rdo veyron-service-type-default" type="radio" name="selectedServiceType" data-service-name="Emergency Departments" value="aht-10968" > Emergency Departments <i aria-hidden="true" class="dor-chkrdo_group__off"></i> <i aria-hidden="true" class="dor-chkrdo_group__on"></i> </label> <label class="dor-chkrdo_group " > <input class="widget-hsf_content-col-rdo veyron-service-type-default" type="radio" name="selectedServiceType" data-service-name="Hospitals" value="aht-11440" > Hospitals <i aria-hidden="true" class="dor-chkrdo_group__off"></i> <i aria-hidden="true" class="dor-chkrdo_group__on"></i> </label> <p><a href="/australian-health-services">Need more services?</a></p> </div> </fieldset> <fieldset class="hsf-form_location veyron-hsf-panel-location"> <legend class="sr-only">enter a location</legend> <section class="dor-form_error-area veyron-hsf-panel-error-list hidden" id="hadLocationErrors"> <ul> <li>Please enter a suburb or postcode of your location and select from the list.</li> <li>Unable to find your location. Please enter manually below.</li> <li>Location not found.</li> </ul> </section> <div> <label>Enter a location</label>   <div class="hsf-form_location-input-group" data-old-class="widget-hsf_content-col-start-location"> <i aria-hidden="true" class="hsf-form_location-input-group-spinner veyron-hsf-panel-spinner"></i> <i aria-hidden="true" class="hsf-form_location-input-group-icon"></i> <input class="hsf-form_location-input-group-txt veyron-hsf-panel-location-input" placeholder="Enter postcode or town" type="search" role="combobox" aria-label="Enter a location" aria-describedby="hadLocationErrors" aria-haspopup="true" autocomplete="off" name="locationText" aria-expanded="false" aria-invalid="false" required="" id="search-location-node-sidebar-mode"> <ul class="hsf-form_location-input-group-auto-suggest veyron-hsf-panel-location-auto-suggest-list"> <li class="location-list-item veyron-hsf-panel-location-list-item" data-veyron-click="" tabindex="0" data-url="{{url}}" >{{prefLabel}}</li> </ul> </div> <label class="dor-chkrdo_group"> <input class="veyron-hsf-panel-use-current-location-checkbox" type="checkbox">Use current location <i aria-hidden="true" class="dor-chkrdo_group__off"></i> <i aria-hidden="true" class="dor-chkrdo_group__on"></i> </label> <button class="hsf-form_location-btn veyron-hsf-panel-search-btn" name="search">Search</button>  </div> </fieldset> </form> </section> <script type="text/javascript"> initHsfPanel('hsf-panel-node-sidebar-mode' ); </script> </div> <section class="main_content-article-helper mobile-only"> <a class="main_content-article-helper-sym" href="/symptom-checker/tool?symptom=GNRC">Check your symptoms</a> <a class="main_content-article-helper-hsf" href="/australian-health-services">Find a health service</a> </section> </aside> </section> </section> <script type="text/javascript"> (function () { var mainContent = ƒ1('.main_content'); var mainContentView = ƒ1('.main_content-article-text', mainContent); var readMoreButton = ƒ1('.main_content-article-btn-read-full', mainContent); if(readMoreButton){ readMoreButton.bind('click', function(){ readMoreButton.hide(); mainContentView.addClass('main_content-article-text__is-full-view'); }); } processAngularFilters(mainContentView); })(); </script> <div class="veyron-sc-hsf-action-nav"> <section class="content_hotline"> <h1 class="sr-only">Healthdirect 24hr 7 days a week hotline</h1> <div class="content_hotline-container"> <p>24 hour health advice you can count on</p> <p><a class="content_hotline-phone" href="tel:1800022222" data-ng-click="hotlineClicked()"><i aria-hidden="true" class="content_hotline-phone-icon"></i> 1800 022 222</a></p> </div> </section> </div> <section class="content_partners veyron-partner-strap-ui"> <h1 class="sr-only">Government Accredited with over 140 information partners</h1> <img class="content_partners-hda-logo" src="/assets/images/logo-hda.svg" alt="Healthdirect logo"> <p>We are a government-funded service, providing quality, approved health information and advice</p> <div> <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="/assets/images/logo-gov-dep-health.png" alt="Australian Government, health department logo"></a> <a href="https://www.health.act.gov.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="/assets/images/logo-gov-act.png" alt="ACT Government logo"></a> <a href="https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="/assets/images/logo-gov-nsw-health.png" alt="New South Wales government, health department logo"></a> <a href="https://www.health.nt.gov.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="/assets/images/logo-gov-nt.png" alt="Northen Territory Government logo"></a> <a href="https://www.health.qld.gov.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="/assets/images/logo-gov-qld.png" alt="Queensland Government logo"></a> <a href="https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="/assets/images/logo-gov-sa.png" alt="Government of South Australia, health department logo"></a> <a href="https://www.health.tas.gov.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="/assets/images/logo-gov-tas.png" alt="Tasmanian government logo"></a> <a href="https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="/assets/images/logo-gov-vic.png" alt="Victorian government logo"></a> <a href="https://ww2.health.wa.gov.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="/assets/images/logo-gov-wa.png" alt="Government of Western Australia, health department logo"></a> </div> </section> <footer class="hda-foot"> <div class="hda-foot_container"> <div class="grid-row"> <div class="hda-foot_col-about"> <h2>About</h2> <ul> <li> <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/how-healthdirect-can-help-you" rel="noopener">How we can help</a> </li> <li><a href="/health-app">Our mobile app</a></li> <li><a href="/linking-to-us" target="_blank">Linking to us</a></li> <li><a href="/information-partners">Information partners</a></li> <li> <a href="https://healthdirect-serviceline.atlassian.net/servicedesk/customer/portal/3/create/13" >Register your service</a > </li> <li><a href="/terms-of-use">Terms of use</a></li> <li><a href="/privacy-policy">Privacy</a></li> <li><a href="/contact-us">Contact us</a></li> <li><a href="https://about.healthdirect.gov.au/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">About us</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="hda-foot_col-discover"> <h2>Discover</h2> <ul> <li><a href="/blog">Blog</a></li> <li><a href="/bmi-calculator">BMI calculator</a></li> <li><a href="/health-and-wellbeing-apps">Health apps</a></li> <li><a href="/medicines">Medicines</a></li> <li><a href="/australian-health-services">Service finder</a></li> <li><a href="/symptom-checker">Symptom checker</a></li> <li><a href="/question-builder">Question builder</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="hda-foot_col-language"> <h2>Resources in your language</h2> <ul> <li><a href="/ar/resources-in-arabic">Arabic عربى</a></li> <li><a href="/bn/resources-in-bengali">বাংলা Bengali</a></li> <li><a href="/zh-hans/resources-in-chinese-simplified">简体中文 Chinese Simplified</a></li> <li><a href="/zh-hant/resources-in-chinese-traditional">繁體中文 Chinese Traditional</a></li> <li><a href="/vi/resources-in-vietnamese">Tiếng Việt Vietnamese</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="hda-foot_col-social-app"> <p> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/healthdirect-check-symptoms/id1021494621?ls=1&mt=8" rel="noopener" > <img class="hda-foot_col-social-app-store-img" src="/assets/images/app-apple-store.png" alt="download from the App store"/></a > <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=au.org.healthdirect.healthdirectapp" rel="noopener" > <img class="hda-foot_col-social-app-store-img" src="/assets/images/app-google-play.png" alt="download from google play"/></a > </p> <p>          <a aria-label="link to facebook page" class="hda-foot_col-social-app-follow-icon" href="https://www.facebook.com/healthdirectaus/" target="_blank" ><i aria-hidden="true" class="social-icon_facebook"></i ></a> <a aria-label="link to instagram page" class="hda-foot_col-social-app-follow-icon" href="https://www.instagram.com/healthdirectaus" target="_blank" ><i aria-hidden="true" class="social-icon_insta"></i ></a> <a aria-label="link to linked-in page" class="hda-foot_col-social-app-follow-icon" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/healthdirect-australia" target="_blank" ><i aria-hidden="true" class="social-icon_linkedin"></i ></a> </p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="hda-foot_container"> <div class="grid-row"> <p> healthdirect's information and advice are developed and managed within a rigorous <a href="https://about.healthdirect.gov.au/clinical-governance" rel="noopener" target="_blank" >clinical governance framework</a >. </p> <p> <small >This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google <a href="https://policies.google.com/privacy" target="_blank">Privacy Policy</a> and <a href="https://policies.google.com/terms" target="_blank">Terms of Service</a> apply. </small> </p> </div> </div> </footer> <div class="hda-foot_acknowledge"> <p> Healthdirect Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and to Elders both past and present. </p> <p class="hda-foot_copyright"> © 2024 Healthdirect Australia Limited </p> </div> <div class="veyron-global-popup hidden"> <div class="veyron-global-disable-screen dor-modal_screen"></div> <div class="dor-modal_body veyron-global-popup-body"> <div class="veyron-global-popup-container"> </div> <button class="dor-modal_body-exit"> <i class="dor-icon_cross"></i> </button> </div> </div>  <div class="veyron-legacy-browser-msg-popup-content hidden"> <header class="dor-modal_body-header"> <h2>Support for this browser is being discontinued</h2> </header> <section class="dor-modal_body-main veyron-global-popup-body-main"> <section class="dor-form_error-area"> <p>Support for this browser is being discontinued for this site</p> <ul> <li>Internet Explorer 11 and lower</li> </ul> </section> <section class="dor-modal_body-main cont"> <p>We currently support Microsoft Edge, Chrome, Firefox and Safari. For more information, please visit the links below:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.google.com.au/chrome/">Chrome by Google</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new">Firefox by Mozilla</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/edge">Microsoft Edge</a></li> <li><a href="https://support.apple.com/en_AU/downloads/safari">Safari by Apple</a></li> </ul> <p>You are welcome to continue browsing this site with this browser. Some features, tools or interaction may not work correctly.</p> </section> </section> <footer class="dor-modal_body-footer"> <button class="dor-modal_body-footer-action veyron-popup-ok">Continue</button> </footer> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> function supportedIE() { var ua = window.navigator.userAgent; // Test values; Uncomment to check result … // IE 10 // ua = 'Mozilla/5.0 (compatible; MSIE 10.0; Windows NT 6.2; Trident/6.0)'; // IE 11 // ua = 'Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.3; Trident/7.0; rv:11.0) like Gecko'; // Edge 12 (Spartan) // ua = 'Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; WOW64) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/39.0.2171.71 Safari/537.36 Edge/12.0'; // Edge 13 // ua = 'Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/46.0.2486.0 Safari/537.36 Edge/13.10586'; var msie = ua.indexOf('MSIE '); if (msie > 0) { // IE 10 or older => return version number // return parseInt(ua.substring(msie + 5, ua.indexOf('.', msie)), 10); return false; } var trident = ua.indexOf('Trident/'); if (trident > 0) { // IE 11 => return version number // var rv = ua.indexOf('rv:'); // return parseInt(ua.substring(rv + 3, ua.indexOf('.', rv)), 10); return false; } var edge = ua.indexOf('Edge/'); if (edge > 0) { // Edge (IE 12+) => return version number // return parseInt(ua.substring(edge + 5, ua.indexOf('.', edge)), 10); return true; } // other browser return true; } function loadLegacyPopup() { var alreadyActiveSession = localStorage.getItem('isSessionActive'); // check for active session and or user logged in if(!alreadyActiveSession && !supportedIE()){ // user has alread visited clicked on continue where localStorage isSessionActive is set var ƒ = window['ƒ']; var ƒ1 = window['ƒ1']; var popupContainer = ƒ.openPopup(); var PopupContent = ƒ1('.veyron-legacy-browser-msg-popup-content').clone(); popupContainer.innerHTML = PopupContent.innerHTML; var continueBtn = ƒ1('.veyron-popup-ok', popupContainer); setTimeout(ƒ.setPopupHeight(), 0); continueBtn.bind('click', function(){ ƒ.closePopup(); localStorage.setItem('isSessionActive', 'Visited'); }); } } loadLegacyPopup(); </script> <div id="veyron-throbber" class="hidden"> <div class="dor-throbber_screen"></div> <div class="dor-throbber_body">  <div class="dor-throbber_body-container"> <div class="dor-throbber_body-container-rect1"></div> <div class="dor-throbber_body-container-rect2"></div> <div class="dor-throbber_body-container-rect3"></div> <div class="dor-throbber_body-container-rect4"></div> <div class="dor-throbber_body-container-rect5"></div> <div class="dor-throbber_body-container-rect6"></div> </div> </div> </div> <script type="text/javascript" src="/components/veyron/bootstrapper.js"></script> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

Balanced diet - meaning and food groups | healthdirect