Healthier Foods = Feeling Better
Eating a well balanced, nutritious diet is a vital component of achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, but eating healthy is not always easy to do. There is not always time to fix a full meal, healthy snacks are not always within arms reach, and eating out several times a week is normal for most Americans. On top of the perceived inconvenience of eating healthfully, there is a lot of mixed information and misleading marketing to throw any person off track. However, healthy eating is not as daunting as it may seem. It just takes a little planning and some reliable resources to take small steps toward healthier choices.
What Is Healthy Eating?
According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010, a healthy eating plan:
Each person will have different calorie needs based on if they are male or female, their fitness level, and some other factors. Many of the diet and fitness trackers on the Assessing Your Weight page, will tell you how many calories you need to lose, maintain, or gain your desired weight.
According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010, a healthy eating plan:
- Emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products
- Includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans,
eggs, and nuts - Is low in saturated fats, trans fats,
cholesterol, salt (sodium), - and added sugar stays within
your daily calorie needs (3)
Each person will have different calorie needs based on if they are male or female, their fitness level, and some other factors. Many of the diet and fitness trackers on the Assessing Your Weight page, will tell you how many calories you need to lose, maintain, or gain your desired weight.
Planning Ahead
The key to making healthy food choices is planning ahead. Knowing how many calories you should consume in a day and then trying to match those calories with wholesome, nutritious foods does not come naturally in our culture. The Daily Food Plan Button can help you recognize how much of each food group you need a day. Some other strategies for planning ahead include..
Click on the Quick and Easy Recipe Button to help you start planning more nutritious meals today. |
Eating Out
Eating at home is not always an option. Eating out is convenient, saving you time and energy, and it is also a social gathering place. However, eating out does not mean you automatically have to eat unhealthy. The Eating Out Tips Button gives some great suggestions on how to make good choices when eating out. It also helps to be prepared with the knowledge of healthy options for specific restaurants. The Restaurant Guide Button will take you to a site with huge list of common restaurants and their nutritional facts. |