New Year for a Healthier You!

I don’t know about you, but every year I seem to set the same New Year’s Resolution, to lose weight and get healthier.  I’m sure, this year probably won’t be any different!

We have 365 new opportunities in 2019 for a healthier me and you!  Getting back on track does not have to be difficult, especially when using MyPlate.

Once upon a time, starting back in the 1970’s, we had the Food Pyramid.  This Food pyramid was a nutrition food guide broken up into different sections to look like a pyramid.  Today we have MyPlate.  MyPlate looks like a place setting with a plate and glass.  It is the USDA’s updated guidelines for healthy nutrition to help make smarter choices with every food group.

MyPlate focuses on the 5 food groups: Fruits, Vegetables, Protein, Dairy and Grains.  When can use MyPlate to help us improve our healthy eating styles and sustain us for life!  Here are 10 tips to help us along the way.

  1. Choose from a variety of foods to get the nutrition and calories your body needs to be healthy.
  2. Make half your plate fruits and vegetables. Try fresh, frozen or canned fruits and veggies!
  3. Focus on whole fruits. Enjoy them as a snack or dessert and strive for 2 cups every day!
  4. Enjoy a variety vegetables. Enjoy them raw, steamed or roasted and strive for 2 ½ cups every day!
  5. Make half your grains whole grains. Look for the whole grain logo on your foods and look for foods that list 100% whole grain as the first or second ingredient.  Try for 6 ounces of grains a day.
  6. Switch to low-fat or fat-free milk and yogurt. Replace sour cream and cheese with low-fat yogurt, milk and cheese. Try for 3 cups of dairy!
  7. Vary your protein. Enjoy eggs, beans, nuts, seafood, lean meats and poultry.  Try for 5 ½ ounces a day.
  8. Drink and eat beverages and food with less sodium, saturated fat, and added sugars.
  9. Drink water instead of sugary drinks. Try adding strawberries, lemons, cucumbers, mint or lime to your water for a tasty beverage.
  10. Everything we eat and drink matters. Remember with the right mix of healthy foods we can help build a healthier me and you for now and the future.  Small changes really do add up!

So, with 2019 here, let’s make it a great year, by being healthier versions of ourselves!  Together we can do this!

For more information on this topic, check out the website www.choosemyplate.gov

 

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