How To Eat Healthy

With so much information about nutrition and dieting everywhere you look, it can be tough to figure out what is fact, and what is fad. Here are tips and resources the Washington State Department of Health recommends for healthy eating.

Note: all links on this page are to external sites/PDF files.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans You may be eating plenty of food, but not eating the right foods that give your body the nutrients you need to be healthy. This website is a starting point for finding your way to a healthier you.

        Eat more

• colorful fruits and vegetables – choose dark green romaine or spinach, instead of iceberg lettuce
• whole grains
• lean proteins – lean meats, beans, other legumes
• fat-free or low-fat dairy products
   

        Eat fewer

• refined grains (such as white flour)
• total fat, saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol
• added sugars (PDF - 546 KB) – Tips to avoid added sugars: 1. make sure that they are not one of the first two or three ingredients listed. 2. Names for added sugars include: corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, fruit juice concentrate, maltose, dextrose, sucrose, honey, and maple syrup.
• salt (sodium)
• calories
• Drink alcohol in moderation (no more than 1-2 drinks per day

Create your personal eating plan with My Pyramid

Make half your plate veggies, check out  Rate Your Plate

Compare today's portions with those of the past at Portion Distortion