Diet trends and conflicting messages on proteins, carbohydrates and fats makes healthy eating seem complicated and confusing. The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion recently shared the How to Build a Healthy Eating Pattern resource to promote four tips for making healthy food choices an everyday routine.
Managing food intake on a daily basis has many benefits, including reaching or maintaining a healthy weight, providing proper nutrients to the body and lowering the risk of serious and chronic health conditions. While the amount of calories consumed will vary based on age, height and amount of activity; the core elements of healthy eating are the same for everyone.
- Get a variety of nutritious food and beverages
- Try to eat and drink the right amounts for you
- Limit foods and beverages higher in saturated fats, added sugars and sodium
- Stick with it
Various tools are available from Choose My Plate including the MyPlate Daily Checklist and the Super Tracker, for those seeking a more customized food plan. Starting with small food choice changes can lead to long-term benefits. Individuals currently managing cardiac disease, diabetes or other chronic health conditions can also benefit from a referral to community-based self-management education programs, such as the Stanford Model or the Diabetes Empowerment Education Program.
Even when the benefits are evident, change is more manageable with help. Great Plains Quality Innovation Network has Master Trainers and content experts available to provide help for developing a referral system, training leaders and facilitating self-management education workshops. Find a local contact for more information.