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Nutrition

Why is Healthy Eating Important?

Good nutrition – eating healthy and eating smart – will help you feel better today and stay healthy for tomorrow. Eating healthy will help to reduce your risk of many chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and certain cancers. Eating healthy will increase your chances for a longer life. The sooner you start to eat healthy, the better it will be for you, your family, and your future.

Make smart food choices to nourish your body, it's about quality, not quantity.  While you might eat plenty of food, you may not eat enough of the right foods to give your body the basic building blocks that you need to be healthy.

MAKE SMART CHOICES – EVERY DAY AND ALL DAY

Eating healthy is not just about what you eat at home.  It's important to eat smart wherever you are.  The easiest way to start is by making smart choices wherever you might be – at the grocery store, at your favorite restaurant, at work, while running around town, and when snacking.  

When you go to the store, try to plan ahead by putting nutrient-rich foods on your shopping list. Think about meals and snacks when you're buying your food.  

When you're thinking of lunch, try to make small changes that are smart – choose whole-grain bread for your sandwiches, opt for low-fat or fat-free milk in your coffee and drinks, choose water instead of sodas, and be careful about your sugar intake.  

If you're in a restaurant, try to stay away from fried or sauteed foods and meats – look for steamed, grilled, or broiled dishes instead.  

When you know you're going to be running around for part of the day – whether running errands or making long commutes – try to plan ahead and pack some fresh fruit, cut-up veggies, string-cheese, or just plain unsalted nuts.  All of these tasty snacks fill your body with good energy and they help you avoid those impulsive and less healthy snack choices.

Discuss your nutrition with your physician to help determine what is best for you.

TIPS

Eat More Whole Grains

For most people, whole grains are a healthier choice. Talk to your physician if you have any concerns about them being a good choice for you.

  • Make the switch by substituting whole grain bread for white bread in your diet.
  • Whole grains like popcorn can make a healthy snack.
  • Substitute whole-wheat flour for half of the white flour in pancakes, waffles or muffin recipes.
  • Make food choices that list a whole grain such as brown rice, bulger, whole wheat or whole rye first on the label.
  • Try whole wheat versions of food, like whole wheat pasta or brown rice instead of white rice.

START SIMPLE, START SMART

Starting smart is the way to go. Think of your body as if it were an engine – an engine that needs the best fuel possible to make sure it is running well.  The best way to give your body the balanced and healthy fuel it needs is by eating a variety of nutrient-packed foods every day.

A healthy eating plan to fuel your body – for today and tomorrow – is one that includes fruits, whole grains, lean meats, poultry, beans, eggs, nuts, fish, and low-fat or fat-free milk and milk products. Simple steps include reducing your intake of cholesterol, salt, saturated fats, transfats, and added sugars.

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