title: Designing the eatwell week: the application of eatwell plate advice to weekly food intake.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop a menu and resource to illustrate to consumers and health professionals what a healthy balanced diet looks like over the course of a week.
  
  
  METHODS
  Development and analysis of an illustrative 7 d 'eatwell week' menu to meet current UK recommendations for nutrients with a Dietary Reference Value, with a daily energy base of 8368 kJ (2000 kcal). Foods were selected using market research data on meals and snacks commonly consumed by UK adults. Analysis used the food composition data set from year 1 (2008) of the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey rolling programme. The eatwell week menu was developed using an iterative process of nutritional analysis with adjustments made to portion sizes and the inclusion/exclusion of foods in order to achieve the target macronutrient composition.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three main meals and two snacks were presented as interchangeable within the weekdays and two weekend days to achieve adult food and nutrient recommendations. Main meals were based on potatoes, rice or pasta with fish (two meals; one oily), red meat (two meals), poultry or vegetarian accompaniments. The 5-a-day target for fruit and vegetables (range 5-6·7 portions) was achieved daily. Mean salt content was below recommended maximum levels (<6 g/d). All key macro- and micronutrient values were achieved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Affordable foods, and those widely consumed by British adults, can be incorporated within a 7 d healthy balanced menu. Future research should investigate the effect of using the eatwell week on adults' dietary habits and health-related outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Human Nutrition, School of Medicine - GRI Campus, University of Glasgow, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow G4 0SF, UK. Wilma.Leslie@glasgow.ac.uk
authors.forename: Wilma S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Leslie
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Comrie
authors.forename: Michael E J
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Lean
authors.forename: Catherine R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Hankey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002149:Energy Intake; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D062407:Meals; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D064167:Recommended Dietary Allowances; D006113:United Kingdom; D014675:Vegetables; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D018977:Micronutrients