Good Nutrition: How Simple Can It Get

Smart eating is simple.  It doesn’t take a lot of effort if we keep just a few simple tips in mind.  Here’s a helpful list!

First 5 San Diego suggests the following food and nutrition tips for your family’s lifestyle:

• Make Half Your Plate Fruits and Vegetables
  Fruits and veggies add color, flavor and texture plus vitamins, minerals and fiber to your plate. Make two cups of fruit and two and a half cups of vegetables your daily goal. The more color, the better.

• Make at least half your grains whole.
  Choose 100% whole-grain breads, cereals, crackers, pasta and brown rice.  Check the ingredients list on food packages to find whole-grain foods.

• Watch Portion Sizes
  Use smaller plates, bowls and glasses to help you keep portions under control.  Use half your plate for fruits and vegetables and the other half for grains and lean meat, poultry, seafood or beans.  To complete the meal, add a glass of fat-free or low-fat milk or a serving of fat-free yogurt for dessert.  To help you keep your meal balanced with the right portion sizes, visit www.choosemyplate.gov

• Drink more water 
  Drink more water over sweetened beverages like fruit juice or soda.  Water helps to regulate body temperature, transport nutrients and oxygen to cells, carry away waste products and more.

• For more nutrition tips, visit www.eatright.org