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Tips for Healthy Eating Habits

Why Eat Better?
 
What you eat and drink has a direct impact on your health.  Your food, beverage choices and eating habits lead to your personal body weight.  If you have high blood pressure, heart disease or diabetes, excess weight will make these conditions harder to control.  Excess weight also puts you at risk for developing these conditions.  
 
Eating Healthy: Getting Started 
 
You do not need special foods to improve your health.  Healthy foods are universally good for everyone.  Good health depends on eating a variety of nutritious foods.  

A healthy meal plan:
  • Includes foods from the major nutrient groups (carbohydrate, protein and fat)
  • Is high in vitamins and minerals
  • Excludes or has very little added salt or other high sodium additives
  • Is low in solid fats
  • Excludes or has very little added sugar or refined starches
  • Chooses high fiber sources
  • Includes water
 
Healthy eating should include all foods and beverages consumed at home or away from home.  Maintaining a healthy body weight is the result of the amount of calories consumed compared to the calories used for activity.  Eating more calories than your body uses will result in a weight gain. 
 
Tips For Healthy Eating Habits
  • Increase your overall intake of fruits and vegetables.
  • Make half your recommended total grain intake whole grains. 
  • Increase your intake of foods naturally high in fiber. 
  • Use fat free or low-fat 1% milk and milk products.
  • Eat a moderate amount of protein and choose a variety of protein foods including lean meat and poultry, eggs, beans, peas, soy, nuts and seeds.
  • Increase your intake of seafood in place of meat and poultry. 
  • Use oils to replace solid fats where possible.
  • Trim off all the fat as possible from meats and poultry.  
  • Reduce salt and total sodium intake, and added sugars. 
You can reduce your risk for health problems by achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight.  Even a modest weight loss (about 5 to 10 percent) can improve your health.  Dietitians are available to help you design a meal plan that is right for you. 
 
Scheduling a Dietitian Appointment
Appointments require a referral from your doctor.  Call Central Scheduling at (220) 564-4722 to make your appointment, once you have obtained your referral.  Allow 90 minutes for the appointment.  If you have diabetes, please bring your blood sugar records with you to this appointment.
 

| Posted On : 5/21/2015 9:09:02 AM Filed under: