Eat Right, Stay Healthy
Eating the right food can help you stay healthy.
- Healthy food choices can:
- Help your heart
- Help your body move better
- Help your blood sugar (diabetes)
Try to eat from each food group every day.
- The five food groups are:
- Grains
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Dairy (milk)
- Proteins (meat and beans)
Why is it important to eat from the food groups?
- These foods supply your body with:
- Vitamins
- Minerals
- Nutrients
- Your body needs each of these to stay healthy.
Grains are foods like breads, cereals, rice, and pasta.
- Healthy choices are:
- Whole wheat bread
- Brown rice
- Whole wheat pasta
- Stay away from:
- White bread and pasta
- Cereals with sugar
- Donuts
Fruits give you vitamins and nutrients.
- Eat fruits that are fresh, frozen, canned, or dried.
- If you drink fruit juice, look at the container label.
- Does it say “100% Juice”?
- Does it say “No Added Sugar”?
- If the answer is yes, it’s good to drink!
Vegetables are the healthiest foods to eat.
- Vegetables are low in fat.
- They have many nutrients.
- You should try to eat a lot of vegetables!
Some of the healthiest vegetables to eat are:
- Dark green vegetables, such as broccoli, lettuce, and spinach
- Orange vegetables, such as carrots and squash
Eat meat and beans, too.
- Meat, beans, and eggs give your body protein.
- Protein:
- Gives your body energy
- Helps your body work
Eat healthy meats like:
- Meat with less fat
- Chicken without skin
- Meat that has been baked, broiled, or grilled
Make healthy dairy choices.
- Dairy makes your bones stronger.
- Healthy dairy foods are:
- Low or non-fat milk
- Low or non-fat yogurt
Eat less of some foods.
- Use less fat and oil.
- Vegetable oil and olive oil are healthier choices.
- Try not to use butter and margarine.
- Try to eat fewer sweets like cookies, cake, and candy.