As a lack of essential nutrients is one of the main causes of malnutrition, the best way to prevent the condition is to eat a healthy, balanced diet.
For otherwise healthy people, a recommended diet would be a diet that contains foods from all the major food groups.
The four main food groups are:
- fruit and vegetables
- bread, rice, potatoes, pasta and other starchy foods
- milk and dairy foods
- meat, fish, eggs, beans and other non-dairy sources of protein
Foods and drinks high in fat or sugar are not essential and should be consumed in small amounts.
For more information on what constitutes a balanced diet see the eatwell plate section. You may also wish to visit the following sections:
If your malnutrition (or risk of malnutrition) is caused by an underlying health condition such as Crohn’s disease you may have more complex dietary needs or require additional items in your diet such as supplements. Your GP or the doctor in charge of your care will be able to advise you.
