Carbohydrates for energy should also be a major part of a meal and diet. Foods such as bread, potatoes, rice and pasta are the best sources of energy with wholegrain varieties helping to keep your dishes full and eaters satisfied.

General Advice

• A third of food intake should come from these types of foods, they are also known as ‘starchy foods’

• Starchy foods include bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, noodles, couscous, breakfast cereals, oats

• Starchy foods provide carbohydrate, fibre, some iron and calcium

Catering Advice

• Serve a starchy food with every meal

• Offer wholegrain or wholemeal varieties where possible

• Foods from this group are often good carriers for fat so offer a variety of starches including starches cooked without added fat for example, if you serve chips, always offer a healthier alternative such as boiled potatoes or a jacket potato

• Serve butter or margarine for the jacket potato on the side.