Want to Eat Healthier? Your Guide to Portions and Nutrition
As you pull up to the drive-through, your conscience tells you it might be a good idea to eat healthy today. So, you decide to show restraint by ordering a double cheeseburger instead of the usual triple with extra bacon. Unfortunately, this doesn’t exactly constitute healthy eating, though limiting the portion size is a small step in the right direction. Instead, eating healthy is about balance, portion control, and eating a variety of grains, fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, and even the occasional sweet. Here are some tips for eating healthier, all-natural food.
- Grains (6-11 Servings)
Bread, pasta, cereal, and rice are common grains that will ideally make up the biggest portion of your diet. You should aim for between six to 11 servings of grains each day. Whole grains are best because they contain complex carbohydrates, which keep you full and energized for longer.
- Fruits and Vegetables (5-9 Servings)
You should eat between two to four servings of fresh fruit on a daily basis. Ideally, a large percentage of that fruit will be whole fruits, which are high in fiber. Be careful only to count 100-percent fruit juice toward your daily servings, not fruit juices that are mostly water and sugar. When it comes to vegetables, aim for between three and five servings daily. Vegetables are great sources of nutrients. Include dark leafy vegetables, broccoli, and mustard greens into your diet for calcium, magnesium, and vitamins.
- Meat and Dairy (4-6 Servings)
Two or three servings a day of lean meat, skinless poultry, and fish can do wonders for a diet. It’s important to prepare meats by removing skin and trimming fat. Two to three servings of milk, cheese, and yogurt each day are also recommended. Skim milk, nonfat yogurt, and low-fat cheeses are the best options.
- Fats, Oils, and Sweets (Enjoy Sparingly)
Butter, margarine, gravy, salad dressing, sugar, soft drinks, and anything else high in fat and sugar should be consumed sparingly. Whenever possible, choose heart-healthy fats.
Country Pride Food Service offers top-quality, chemically purer foods that can help you reach a balanced, healthy diet. Call us today at (410) 549-2110 to learn more about our home delivery service.
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