The food you eat can affect your health and your risk for certain
diseases. To eat healthier food, you may need to change some of your daily
habits. You also may need to change some things in your environment. Your
environment includes everything around you, like your home or the place you
You don't need to make huge changes to eat healthier. And
you don't have to change your habits all at the same time. It's best to set
small goals and change your habits a little bit at a time. Over time, small
changes can make a big difference in your health.
will help you make useful changes for healthy eating.
you make choices about what you eat and how much you eat. Think about how your
daily routine and your environment affect these choices. Do you tend to skip
meals when you get busy? Do you eat out a lot?
Habits like these
can trigger unhealthy eating. But there are things you can do to avoid
Whole grains, lean meats, low-fat dairy, vegetables,
and fruits are healthy foods to include in your meals.
Whole grains, lean meats, low-fat dairy,
vegetables, and fruits should be part of your regular meal plan. Keep plenty of
these foods at home, and add them to your shopping list. This way, you can make
healthy eating a habit.
Continue to Why?
Eating healthy foods is good for your overall health. With a healthy
diet, your body can get the nutrients it needs to stay strong and work well.
And you lower your risk for high cholesterol, heart disease, high blood
pressure, type 2 diabetes, stroke, cancer, and other health problems.
A healthy diet is important no matter what size
you are. You can improve your health by eating foods that are good for you no
matter what you weigh.
The main benefit to healthy eating is looking
Improving your diet is good for your overall
health. You can lower your risk for heart disease, high blood pressure,
diabetes, stroke, and other health problems. A healthy diet is important for
your health no matter what size you are.
Continue to How?
To eat a
healthy diet, you may need to make some changes. Remember that you can change
your eating habits a little bit at a time. Small changes are easier to make and
can lead to better health.
Here are some ways to make healthy
changes in your eating habits:
Skipping or delaying a meal can lead to eating too
Skipping or delaying a meal can make you very
hungry. You will be more likely to eat too much or choose an unhealthy snack
later. Schedule your meals and snacks so that you don't get too hungry.
Continue to Where?
Now that you have read this
information, you are ready to make changes for healthy eating.
For more information, see the topic
Return to topic:
February 4, 2011
Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine & Rhonda O'Brien, MS, RD, CDE - Certified Diabetes Educator
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