Nutrition and you
To be your best, there are a lot of things to think about. Two important things are what and how much to eat. All foods supply nutrients (substances your body needs to grow, have energy and stay healthy), so all foods can be part of a healthful pattern of eating. There are no good or bad foods, but there are good or bad eating patterns. It's the total amount and types of foods you can eat over several days that make the difference. Choose a variety of foods for their different combination of nutrients. For instance, yogurt and milk are great sources of calcium for your bones, while a chicken leg or baked beans deliver iron for your blood. Even foods within a food group have somewhat different nutrients. A mango for example, has different nutrients than a banana. So be smart, and enjoy all kinds of food.
Variety
Eating a variety of foods boosts your chances of getting the many nutrients your body needs to grow strong and healthy.
Moderation
You don't need to measure everything you eat. However, watching how much you eat helps you see if you're getting enough variety and not overdoing it on any one specific food or food group.
Balance
Balancing food choices over several days helps you get enough of the nutrients you need. Try to eat enough servings from the Pyramid each day. The most important thing is to have fun, enjoy your meals and be smart about your food choices!
Nura P. Gonzalez M.S., R.D., L.D. |
