Nutrition

By eating a healthy diet, you can reduce your risk of chronic disease. Foods low in fat and high in fiber can help keep you healthy.

Tomatoes

Is your family in balance?

Studies have shown that those who consume more fruits and vegetables while decreasing their consumption of fat and added sugar manage weight better, are less hungry and have better intake of other nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. For more information on how fruits, vegetables and exercise can help you manage your weight, download the "Is Your Family in Balance?" tip card.

Build a healthy plate.

Before you eat, think about what goes on your plate or in your bowl. Foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy products and lean protein foods contain the nutrients you need without too many calories. Over the day, include foods from all the food groups. Use MyPlate as a tool to keep your meals balanced.

Be sure to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Adults should eat at least 4½ cups of fruits and vegetables a day, especially those rich in vitamins A and C. Variety is important when it comes to fruits and vegetables. Think of eating fruits and vegetables like eating the rainbow. Be sure to sample all the colors as often as you can.

  • Orange and Deep Yellow: Try sweet potatoes, carrots, winter squash, oranges, peaches, yellow tomatoes, mango, papaya, pineapple and cantaloupe.
  • Red: Try tomatoes, pink grapefruit and watermelon.
  • Green: Try spinach, collards, turnip greens, kiwi, green bell pepper, zucchini and sugar snap peas.
  • Purple, Dark Red and Blue: Try beets, blueberries, red and purple grapes, cherries and eggplant.
  • White: Try cauliflower, parsnips and turnips.

Check out these resources for increasing your vegetables and fruits:

What Does ‘Organic’ Mean on a Food Label? —The term organic has specific guidelines defined by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Organic Program.

Increase the fiber in your usual diet.

Besides fruits and vegetables, whole grain breads and cereals are good sources of fiber. Check out “10 Tips to Help You Eat Whole Grains” for tips on making half your grains whole.

Lower the fat, especially trans fat.

Try to reduce the fat you eat by choosing lean meat, fish, skinned poultry, low-fat dairy products and vegetable oils. Avoid fried foods and those cooked with butter and oil. When dining out, look for low-fat menu options, or ask whether food can be baked or broiled instead of fried. For more information, download the following:

Too Much Sodium (Salt) Is Not Good For Your Heart.

People over age 2 should have less than 2, 300 mg of sodium a day (about a teaspoon of salt). If you are over 50, or African American, or have high blood pressure, diabetes or chronic kidney disease, you should have only 1,500 mg a day – about 2/3 teaspoon of salt. Too much sodium increases a person’s risk for high blood pressure which often leads to heart disease and stroke. Most of the sodium we eat comes from processed foods and foods prepared at restaurants. It is important to select lower sodium foods when possible and cook more food yourself so you can better control how much sodium you eat.

Eating Healthy When Eating Out by MyPlate.gov.

  • Choose restaurants that offer fruits and vegetables on the menu.
  • At sit down restaurants, order salad and cooked vegetables as part of your meal. Ask if vegetables or salad can be substituted for French fries. Order fresh fruit for dessert.
  • At fast food restaurants, order a small 100% orange juice, milk or water instead of soft drinks. Substitute a baked potato for fries. Add lettuce and tomato to sandwiches. Use the salad bar and go easy on the dressing. Order the chili. Try the fruit parfait in place of the apple pie.

Get more for your money.

Careful meal planning and smart shopping can help you make the most out of your family’s budget. Check out the “Getting More For Your Money” tip card for tips on getting the most for your money when buying fruits and vegetables.

For additional tips on spending smart and eating smart, download the information below for each food group. 
Information provided by the Iowa State University Extension.

Additional Information

Visit these websites for more information about keeping your family healthy.