Monday, March 30, 2009

Healthy Food Choices " Where it All Begins

By Thong M. Dao

I know it's hard to prepare healthy food meals for your families, when you do not know where to start. But it's easier than you think. Start out by choosing the most healthy foods, then create a healthy eating menu and healthy meal plans.

Here's a list of healthy food choices.

1. Grains. 6 ounces of grains are recommended daily. The most healthy grain foods are whole grain cereal, rice, breads and even pasta.

2. Vegetables. Remember that vegetables are a must-have. Consume approximately 2 cups and a half daily. Spinach, broccoli and collar greens are highly ranking. Just remember the darker, the better. Beans, like baby Lima or even peas, are on this list.

3. Fruits. Fruits are very important. We should aim to eat 2 cups of them each day. Focus on a wide range of fresh fruits. We can drink fruit juices as well, though we should keep it in moderation.

4. Milk. Hmm.... We all know that milk does good to the body as it is high in calcium. Adults should aim at 3 cups and young children 2 cups a day. Lactose-free products are also available for those who dislike or are allergic to dairy products.

5. Meat. 5 ounces per day do not seem like a lot. Don't forget to select lean protein meats. Stay away from fried foods. Grilling, baking or even broiling is ideal. Fish, beans and nuts are also excellent protein sources.

To get the most healthy food menu without adding cholesterol, you have to remove from your grocery list some items like butter, margarine, shortening and lard.

The nutrition label on the back of each product will give you information about saturated fat, trans fat and sodium content. Keep your intake of these as low as possible.

By picking the most healthy foods for our healthy meal plans, we'll control our lifestyle. Exercise is great as well, as it goes along perfectly with healthy food choices. No matter what our age may be, eating healthy will help us keep the active lifestyle and good health for years to come. - 16887

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