Eat Well
Recipes
Plan with MyPyramid for Nutritional BalanceBy James M. Rippe, M.D.
Balance in nutrition means getting the right combination of nutrients your body needs for energy, growth, and health. Too many people think that good nutrition means eating bland, boring food. Not true! When you follow your personalized Balanced Life Plan, balancing your nutrition can be a delicious endeavor.
The meal recommendations in your Nutrition Planner are based on the USDA MyPyramid guidelines. MyPyramid provides practical information to help you achieve balanced nutrition in keeping with the science-based Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
By following these simple tips, you can achieve nutritional balance and discover some great new tastes along the way.
Choose Variety
All foods can fit in a healthy eating plan when enjoyed in moderation. The key is variety: Eat a wide selection of foods and try some different cooking methods on occasion. Just be sure to choose foods and cooking techniques that are lower in fat. Also, remember to enjoy higher-fat foods and cooking techniques in moderation.
Emphasize Fruits, Vegetables, and Whole Grains
Including fruit and vegetables in most meals can boost balance, as these foods are typically nutrient-dense rather than calorie-heavy. Choose whole-grain options when possible––at breakfast, on a sandwich, or as a starchy side.
Experiment with New Tastes
Broaden your palate by trying at least one new food or making a different recipe each week. For lots of tasty recipes that fit with your MyPyramid goals, look through our latest recipes.
Choose Nutrient-Dense Snacks
Typical American snack patterns include foods that provide more energy (calories) than nutrients. But you can choose snacks that also pack a nutritional punch. For example, popcorn is a whole grain, nuts and seeds are rich in vitamins and healthy oils, and fruits are rich sources of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants.
Save Sweets for Treats
Sweet foods can certainly be part of a balanced approach to eating. We only get into trouble when we eat them several times a day or in large quantities. So only enjoy sweets as an occasional treat.
Get Active
Getting plenty of physical activity is actually one of the MyPyramid recommendations. Activity helps keep your muscles and metabolism fit. Staying fit not only helps you get the most out of what you eat, it also helps you maintain a healthful weight.
To learn more, watch my podcast on Using MyPyramid to Achieve Balanced Nutrition.
|
|
email
print
©ConAgra Foods, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Start Making Choices does not provide medical advice.
Information is intended for educational purposes only. See additional information.
Smarter Savings
At ReadySetEat.com, tell us where you shop, and we'll tell you which of our recipe ingredients are on sale.
Learn More
