Healthy Eating

Simply put, healthy eating is consistently eating the right foods, in the right amount and variety, so that our bodies are well nourished.  While eating healthy is important for everyone, it’s essential for our children who are still growing.  Healthy eating keeps our kids strong while teaching them valuable lessons about good food choices.

The basics of healthy eating include plenty of fruit and vegetables, protein, fiber and starchy food while consuming minimum amounts of sugar, salt, saturated fats and alcohol.  It’s important to drink plenty of fluids so that our bodies stay hydrated.

Starchy Foods

Starchy foods give us energy in the form of carbohydrates.  Always include plenty of pasta, rice, breads, cereals and potatoes in your diet.  Using wholegrain varieties of pasta, breads, etc. provides our bodies with fiber; another important part of healthy eating.

Fruit & Vegetables

Fruit and vegetables provide us with important vitamins and minerals.  You might want to try to “eat the rainbow” or eat at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables everyday.

Protein

Healthy eating means eating enough protein everyday.  Protein comes from meat, fish, eggs, beans, legumes, seeds and nuts.  All of these provide our bodies with vitamins, zinc and essential minerals in addition to protein.

Dairy Products

Dairy products strengthen and nourish our bodies with calcium and protein.  Cottage cheese, milk, yogurt and cheese are all great sources of these nutrients.  If you’re concerned about the saturated fat content of some dairy products, try the skim or low fat versions.

Fats & Sugars

Fats and sugars can provide our bodies with quick energy, but the health risks far outweigh any benefit.  Consuming too much fat and sugar leads to obesity and the serious health risks associated with being overweight.

The benefits of healthy eating are clear:

• You’ll reduce your weight.
• You’ll decrease your risk of developing high blood pressure.
• You’ll decrease your risk of developing certain cancers.
• You’ll decrease your risk of developing chronic diseases like diabetes.