EAT HEALTHY
Achieve and maintain a healthy weight, boost energy and immunity and add years to your life by making smart food choices.
Eating healthy isn’t about rapid weight loss or fad diets. It’s about giving your body the nutrition it needs. By eating healthy, you can lower your risk for disease, because the right foods, in the right amounts, can improve your cholesterol, control and prevent diabetes, and make it possible for you to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
Begin by making sure you’re eating five servings of colorful fruits and vegetables each day. Switch over to whole grain cereal, pasta and breads. Eat smaller portions. Reduce your intake of trans-fats and saturated fats by avoiding fried foods, butter and high-fat meats.
For more help, make an appointment with a registered dietitian.
These sites offer more information:
Food Pyramid
A quick guide to good nutrition.
http://www.mypyramid.gov/pyramid/index.html
Foods to Eat for Good Health
Find out what foods you should eat and why.
http://www.healthy.net/scr/article.asp?ID=1376
How to Read a Food Label
What are you really eating? The nutrition facts label provides vital information about portion size, calories, fats, sodium, carbohydrates and nutrients.
http://www.fda.gov/Food/LabelingNutrition/ConsumerInformation/ucm078889.htm
Calorie Counter
Find out how many calories you are eating at each meal.
http://www.thecaloriecounter.com/
Portion Sizes
Find out how serving your foods in the correct portions can help you lose weight.
http://www.apha.org/NR/rdonlyres/A70BE717-D86E-42E1-85AB-A5FD060E8AC9/0/HealthyYouOct06.pdf
Local Sources for Home Grown Food
Locally grown food can be a great source of good nutrition.
Guide to Michigan Farmers Markets
http://www.farmersmarkets.msu.edu/
Guide to Michigan Farm Stands and Pick-Your-Own Opportunities
http://www.michiganfarmfun.com
Michigan State Cooperative Extension
Extensive information about vegetable gardening and growing fruit.
http://www.migarden.msu.edu/index.htm
Sources for Healthy Recipes
There are many sources for healthy recipes, and with the right techniques and substitutions, you can transform your family’s favorite recipes into healthy versions that are just as delicious. These two sites offer excellent ideas for your next meal:
American Heart Association
This highly respected organization provides hundreds of heart-healthy recipes.
http://www.americanheart.org/deliciousdecisions
American Diabetes Association
Menu plans, weight loss advice and recipes for people with diabetes and those who want healthy food alternatives.
http://www.diabetes.org/food-nutrition-lifestyle/nutrition.jsp