Nutrition chart for adults

Men have different daily nutritional requirements to women, and below our nutritionist has offered guidance and recipe ideas for men seeking a balanced diet for good health - but what exactly is meant by a 'balanced diet'? There are some simple rules to follow like getting your five-a-day, including three servings of whole-grains and choosing more fish, poultry and less red meat while opting for low-fat dairy foods. But that's not the whole story - how much should you be eating and when is the best time to eat protein, carbs or fats? Read on for our guide to healthy eating around the clock.

Guideline Daily Amounts (GDAs)

Nutritional needs vary depending on your sex, size, age and activity levels so use this chart as a general guide only. The chart shows the daily amounts recommended for a healthy, balanced diet for maintaining rather than losing or gaining weight. Typically men need more nutrients than women with the exception of salt and fibre.

Perfect Portions

Numbers and figures are all very well but how does this relate to you? Personalise your portions with our handy guide to finding the right serving size:

Breakfast

Whether your first stop is the office or the gym, adding protein to your breakfast is a great way to rev up your metabolism - if you do exercise first thing a protein breakfast helps promote muscle recovery and repair. Eggs are an ideal choice because they provide a good balance of quality protein and fat, other options include lean ham, fish like salmon or haddock, as well as low-fat dairy foods. Protein foods slow stomach emptying, which means you stay fuller for longer so you'll tend to eat fewer calories the rest of the day.

If you're short of time in the morning a protein-rich breakfast needn't take any longer. Top your morning toast with a couple of slices of smoked salmon, some lean ham or some scrambled eggs and when you do have a little more time enjoy an omelette, frittata or our version of the full English.

Protein breakfast recipes:
Scrambled omelette toast topper
One-pan summer eggs
Flash-fried smoked salmon & egg bagel
Ultimate makeover full English
Full English frittata

Eating well in the morning is vital for balancing energy levels. The ideal is to eat little and often but you need to make every snack work for you. That means choosing snacks which satisfy your energy needs plus supply extra benefits like topping up your five-a-day.