The picker
You tend to order a salad at restaurants, then pick at other people's food. You appear to have a low-calorie intake, but are often overweight. It may be that you're not completely honest or aware of how much you eat during the day. Your typical weight-loss strategy is eating less, rather than exercising more. You are also most likely to smoke, perhaps finding it difficult to kick the habit without putting on weight. You also tend to eat many refined carbohydrates, such as white bread and sugar. On the upside, alcohol and red meat consumption tends to be low.
How to improve: get active, don't eat less. You also need to be honest about your calorie intake and cut down on snacks and portion sizes. You have a habit of not eating breakfast to 'save' calories, only to get hungry later and snack. Try to replace refined carbohydrates with wholegrain bread and increase your fruit and vegetable intake. Keep supplies of ready-washed salads and prepared vegetables in the fridge.
The healthy eater
You tend to ingest low quantities of saturated fats and sugar, and moderate amounts of meat and alcohol. The bulk of your diet is unprocessed and fibre-rich, and consists of low-fat dairy, pulses, fish, vegetables and fruit. You have a holistic approach to health – you exercise regularly and watch what you eat. Women in this group tend to take dietary supplements but probably don't need them, because their dietary intake is more than adequate.
How to improve: since you already have a balanced diet, you only have to fine-tune it. For instance, why not try more unusual and nutritionally richer green leaves, such as rocket or spinach. Don't be too strict – always remember that fats and sugary foods can be eaten occasionally.
The comfort eater
By far the greatest proportion of your diet is made up of white bread, chips, sweet or creamy foods, biscuits and cake. You also drink a reasonable amount of alcohol. You occasionally eat healthily when you feel you should be 'good', but it's a chore rather than a pleasure. You may swing between being a comfort eater and a picker (group one), depending on whether or not you're dieting.
How to improve: unfortunately, this group has the greatest tendency to be overweight, so try and exercise more. Accept that you have a weakness for sweets and snacks, and try healthier options such as fruit, low-fat biscuits, cereal bars and nuts. Cut down on fats and boost your vegetable intake. If you must have dessert, choose low-fat options such as low-fat custard with stewed fruit.
The comfort eater plus
You tend to eat junk food rather than structured meals. You have similar chip and pudding-eating tendencies as the comfort eaters in group three, but you don't have such a soft spot for cakes and sweets. You also tend to eat more fish and salads. Your chocolate and savoury snack intake is still too high, and you don't eat as many servings of vegetables and fruit as you should.
How to improve: take a packed lunch to work. Drink water and keep a mix of healthy snacks and fresh fruit on hand to nibble on when you feel like snacking.
The moderate eater
You eat moderate amounts of most foods. You're not a big fan of red meat and rarely eat chips. Your intake of chocolate, crisps and biscuits is low but fairly frequent. Of all the groups you are the most realistic about your health.
How to improve: you need more variety. Try boosting your fibre intake by adding tinned beans, such as kidney beans, to a soup or casserole. Don't be afraid to use frozen foods because most retain their nutritional content.
The unimaginative vegetarian
The majority of your diet consists of bread, soya products, pulses, cereals, fruit and vegetables. You are unlikely to smoke. You tend to exercise quite a bit so you need to keep your calorie intake up.
How to improve: your diet includes a few good staples but needs more variety (and possibly quantity) to ensure you're getting sufficient nutrients. Boost your carbohydrate intake in the form of more wholemeal pasta and include seeds and herbs. Don't be afraid to use sauces, and spreads – Marmite is full of B vitamins and tomato sauce is rich in antioxidants.
The adventurous vegetarian
You tend to be thinner than average. You eat a good range of foods, are unlikely to smoke, and are physically active. You manage to maintain a healthy vegetarian diet because you eat a wide variety of foods and plenty of them without needing to diet.
How to improve: make sure you're aware of the nutritional value of different vegetables and learn how to use more unusual and nutritionally richer varieties. Vegetarians tend to have poor iron status, so eat fortified breakfast cereals and eggs. Also, try to eat vitamin C-rich foods at each meal to boost iron absorption.