Nutrition can seem complicated.

One person tells you to cut carbs. Another says you need to eat more fat. Someone else says you should eat six meals a day and another person says you should fast.

Then there's protein, calories, supplements, meal timing, food tracking...

Where are you actually supposed to start?

The truth is that a healthy diet doesn't need to be complicated.

You don't need to eat "perfectly", remove entire food groups or live on chicken and broccoli.

A good diet should provide your body with enough energy and nutrients while also being something you can actually enjoy and maintain.

The NHS Eatwell Guide recommends getting a variety of foods across the main food groups rather than trying to make every individual meal perfectly balanced.

🍽️ Start with the basics

Before worrying about supplements, meal timing or the latest nutrition trend, get the basics right.

A balanced diet should generally include:

• Fruit and vegetables
• Starchy carbohydrates
• Protein-rich foods
• Dairy or suitable alternatives
• Sources of healthy fats
• Plenty of fluids

The NHS recommends at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables each day, choosing higher-fibre starchy carbohydrates where possible, including protein foods, and choosing unsaturated fats in small amounts.

You don't need to achieve this balance at every single meal.