Eat a healthy, balanced diet to reduce your risk of dementia

Eating a healthy, balanced diet is important for your physical health and mental health. Staying a healthy weight helps to protect against dementia, throughout your life.

Eat at least five portions of a variety of fruits and vegetables a day. A balance of carbohydrates (foods like potatoes, bread, rice or pasta), protein (beans, pulses, fish, eggs or meat), dairy (milk or soya), unsaturated oils and spreads in small amounts. Eat less saturated fats, salt and sugars. Drink plenty of water (6-8 glasses a day).

Even if you cannot get a perfect balance in every meal, try to get the balance over the day or week.

You can get more advice on our Healthy Eating pages or NHS Live Well, which includes the Eatwell guide, 5 A Day tips and 12 week Weight Loss pack.