We are frequently asked, “How do I know if I am eating the right foods?” With all sorts of food and nutrition information at our fingertips, the answer to this question can get lost in sometimes conflicting and confusing messages. The recently released 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans provide a practical guideline to help you make healthy food choices and improve your health.
The Dietary Guidelines encourage us all to eat more:
Whole Grains: Make at least half your grain servings whole grain. Adults should have three – 1 oz. servings (48 grams) of whole grains daily. Choose whole grain breads and cereals, brown rice and whole wheat pasta, to name a few.
Fruits: Eat 2 cups of fresh, frozen, or canned fruit per day. Again, let color be your guide. Fruit makes a great snack.
Lean Meats and Seafood: Eat 6 ounces of lean meat (poultry, beef, pork) or fish per day. Fish (salmon, tune, mackerel, herring) twice a week gives you the omega-3 fats you need.
If you include the recommended serving of these food groups then you will know that you are “Eating Right”!
* The servings listed above are recommendations for adults. For more information for all ages, visit www.mypyramid.gov