Starchy carbohydrates provide your body with energy, fibre, vitamins and minerals. Exercising muscles also rely on carbohydrate as their main source of energy.

Starchy carbohydrates should be included in each meal and should make up just over a third of what you eat. Examples of starchy carbohydrates are; cereals, bread, potatoes, rice, chapattis and pasta.

Where possible choose ‘wholemeal’ or ‘wholegrain’ varieties. These foods provide longer lasting energy, keep us feeling fuller for longer and help to prevent constipation.