People looking to shed pounds could achieve their target faster by following the NHS ‘half plate’ principle. The NHS provides guidance for anyone wanting to eat healthier meals and lose weight safely, such as people who have been advised by their GP to lose weight.

For those aiming to lose weight swiftly, the NHS’s ‘half plate’ strategy might just be the ticket. This principle is part of the NHS’s comprehensive advice for anyone seeking to adopt healthier eating habits and safely manage their weight, particularly those advised by their doctor to slim down.

The Better Health website offers a wealth of meal-time advice, outlined on a page titled “Healthy eating when trying to lose weight.” It emphasizes several key nutritional guidelines, including the crucial role of fruits and vegetables in daily meals. As widely acknowledged, both the NHS and the World Health Organization advocate for a daily intake of five portions of fruit and vegetables.

The NHS elaborates: “Consuming at least five servings of fruit and vegetables daily is the baseline – but increasing this intake is even better! They are rich in fiber, low in calories, and excellent for snacking. Make it a daily goal to achieve your five-a-day target.”

Yet, many people may be unsure how to incorporate this advice into their daily meals. The NHS suggests a practical approach: fill ‘about half of your plate’ with vegetables during your main meal. They recommend aiming for two or more vegetable portions per meal, which translates to about half of your plate. A portion is defined as 80g, but smaller combined portions are also beneficial. Every bit helps.

Adhering to this approach not only supports weight loss but also offers significant health advantages. According to the World Health Organization, consuming at least 400g of fruits and vegetables daily is linked to a reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.

Moreover, the NHS advises that those on a weight loss journey should incorporate protein into their meals to help maintain fullness. Options include eggs, fish, beans, pulses, and lean meats.

If you eat fish, it’s recommended to eat two portions a week, one of which should be oily fish, such as salmon or trout. When cooking with oil, it’s best to opt for olive, sunflower, or rapeseed oil, which contain unsaturated fats.

Hydration is another important factor, reports the Mirror. The NHS says: “Drink six to eight cups of fluid a day. Water, lower-fat milk, tea, coffee, sugar-free drinks. They all count!”

The NHS adds: “The amount you eat is just as important as what you eat – no matter how healthy your diet is, you can still put on weight if you are eating too much. Having more calories than your body needs each day can lead to weight gain.”

The recommended daily calorie intake is typically 2,500kcal for men and 2,000kcal for women. For someone trying to lose weight, this is typically 1,900kcal for men and 1,400kcal for women.