There is a huge amount of information about healthy eating today. It’s difficult to know what to eat … or what to believe. Many experts tell us to use the food guide pyramid as a guide. Yet there’s even so confusion about that. 

The following is some basic guidelines to get you on your way to Eating Smart!

Let’s start with the Food Guide Pyramid. The USDA pyramid recommends eating lots of grains, fruits and vegetables. Eat moderate servings of protein foods and go easy on the fats and sweets. Those who disagree with the USDA pyramid don’t disagree on these points. However they feel that some foods in each group are healthier than others. So choose carefully. 

Choose whole grains, such as whole wheat and multi-grain breads, pastas or brown rice. 

Limit fats and oils in your diet to no more than 30% of your calories. As much as possible choose plant-based oils. Try canola, olive and safflower oils. Avoid hydrogenated or partially-hydrogenated oils! These oils are found in some margarines and many packaged foods. While these fats keep packaged foods from spoiling as quickly they are very bad for your heart and arteries!

Get your protein from a variety of foods, not just meat and dairy products. Beans and nuts provide lots of important nutrients. When you do choose meat, opt for more fish and chicken.

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For more information on healthy eating try these links:

American Dietetic Association
www.eatright.org

Mayo Clinic Nutrition Center
www.mayohealth.org

Sports, Cardiovascular and Wellness Nutritionists (SCAN)
www.scandpg.org/

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion
www.usda.gov/cnpp

5 A Day
www.5aday.com

CDC Nutrition Page

www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/nutrition.htm

North Carolina’s Eat Smart, Move More website 

www.eatsmartmovemorenc.com/