• Learn Your Plate

When we were young, we all learned about the food pyramid in school. Over the years, it has changed and evolved into the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s “Choose My Plate.” Choosemyplate.gov not only has a robust website with tons of valuable resources, but they also have an app. The app helps you pick simple daily food goals, see real-time progress, track your servings of different food groups, and earn badges along the way.

• Plan Ahead Each Week

Pre-planning your meals can make a huge impact on your health. It’s easier to stick to healthy eating if you are prepared. This includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. We are all working adults, and when we are tired after work, the last thing we want to try and figure out is what to plan for dinner. If you have a set plan, that’s less stress on you…and less likely you’ll order takeout. Crock pots, Instant Pots, and air fryers are just some of the tools in the market to help you put together healthy meals in no time. There are thousands of healthy recipe websites as well. 

• Learn How to Read Food Labels

You may have noticed some differences in the way the Nutrition Facts panel looks over the last couple of years. The improved Nutrition Facts label helps you make better decisions about the foods and beverages you eat and drink. Become a smart shopper by reading food labels and start making healthier choices.

• Find out which foods are good sources of dietary fiber, vitamin D, calcium, iron, and potassium.
• Compare similar foods to find out which one is lower in calories.
• Look for foods that are lower in saturated fat, trans fat, sodium, and added sugars.
• Limit added sugars to less than 10% of your total calories per day.
• Serving sizes on the label reflects the portions most people are eating, not what they should be.