Eating a Well-Balanced Diet
By Kara Schwinke
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Eating a healthy, and balanced diet is important to have good health and help you to feel your best. Here are some ways to eat a balanced diet:
- Keep each food group in your diet
- Include variety of food from the 5 main groups off of the MyPlate diagram
- Eat higher fiber foods like potatoes, bread, rice, or pasta
- Drink plenty of fluids, at least 6-8 glasses a day
- For protein, you can eat beans, fish, eggs, meat, etc.
- Dairy should be included in your diet, even if it’s an alternative dairy product
- Eat less foods and drinks that are high in fat, salt, and sugar
- Give bad foods the cold shoulder
- Avoid any foods that are acidic, salty, and spicy
- Try chicken, rice, non-acidic fruits and vegetables, pudding, and hydrating liquids instead of pizza and burgers
- Eat quick and easy snacks that are available right away
- Be food-safe
It is important to be aware of how to handle the food before you include it in your diet.
- Wash hands before handling food
- Rinse fruits and vegetables before eating
- Disinfect cutting boards after each use
- Avoid raw or undercooked foods or unpasteurized milks and cheeses
- Use a clean thermometer when preparing meat
- Pack in nutrients
- Eat foods that are loaded with nutritious calories and energy-boosting protein
- Aim for 2 ½ cups of fruits and vegetables a day
- Snack between meals if easier than having three big meals
- Try a milkshake or nutritional beverage for a calorie and protein boost
- Talk to a pro
- Talk to a registered dietitian for tips to develop a healthy plan
Source: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/ November 2019 Health magazine