What we should all be doing

We should be eating the right amount of calories for how active we are. If we eat or drink more than our bodies need, we will store the excess energy away as far.

It is recommended that men have no more than 2,500 calories per day, and women no more than 2,000 calories per day. Aim for 400 calories for breakfast, 600 for lunch and 600 for dinner, leaving capacity for a couple of healthy snakes and drinks. But we are all different, so this is just a guide.

We should eat a wide range of foods to get the nutrients we need. This is best way to achieve a balanced diet.

We should also try to be as active as possible.

Why it is important

On average, people eat too many calories, too much saturated fat, salt and sugar and not enough fruit and vegetables, fibre or oily fish.

Many people eat out regularly, so rely on takeaways, restaurants and cafes to buy, prepare, cook and serve their food.

Using a lot of salt, sugar and fat in food and serving large portions an cause health problems, particularly for those people who eat out regularly.

Excess weight caused by eating too much food that is high in calories, saturated fat, salt and sugar can lead to serious health conditions, such as:

• Type 2 diabetes
• cardiovascular disease
• cancer
• stroke

Too much sugar in food and drinks can also cause tooth decay.