A good diet is important for good health. Eating a variety of foods can improve general wellbeing, reduce the risk of conditions including heart disease, stroke, some cancers, diabetes and osteoporosis (thin bones) and help you manage your weight.  Some tips to eating healthily include the following.  Eat breakfast, lunch and dinner and only have snacks if you feel hungry.  Eating little and often can help provide our bodies with a constant source of energy so we can feel good.  Choose drinks that are low in sugar and salt.  Aim for around three portions of starches (bread, rice, pasta, spaghetti, noodles, cous cous, quinoa, potatoes etc) per day as these foods should make up around a third of calories in our diets.  Try wholewheat, wholegrain and wholemeal versions for more fibre and keep the skin on potatoes for same.  Aim for a minimum of five portions of fruit and vegetables per day and aim for a rainbow of colours in these foods.  Add protein (lean meat, fish, eggs, soya foods, quorn, pulses) to your starches to help keep you feeling fuller for longer.  Add fats (flaxseed, sesame seeds, nuts, avocados, olive oil) to main meals and snacks too.  For oils remember a teaspoon of any cooking oil is roughly about fifty calories so stick to portion sizes.  Sauteed vegetables like onions, peppers, mushrooms, leek, celery or asparagus work a treat with pasta dishes.  Aim for three portions of dairy per day to boost calcium intakes i.e. milk, cheese and yoghurt.  Take a vitamin D3 supplement daily from Sep-April on the island of Ireland that contains 10ug; if you are vegan it is a lichen supplement.  Also, aim for a minimum of 1.6-2 litres of water per day for females and males.  If you eat sensibly as described previous and when combined with no smoking and keeping active is a great way to support overall health.