 Food
Dietary Guidelines
Posted: 4/29/2011
 Most adults should eat at least every five hours and include plenty of produce in each meal. (NAPSI) - To make sure you are keeping fit, you may need to eat less of some foods—and more of others.
To promote healthy eating and physical activity in current and future generations, the USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans offers advice on weight management, building healthy eating patterns, and specific food components, some of which should be reduced and others increased.
Enjoy your food, but “eat less” is one of the major messages from the Guidelines, reinforcing healthy choices and reaching out to the 72 percent of men and 64 percent of women who are either overweight or obese. As a Registered Dietitian and Director of Nutrition at California Health & Longevity Institute, I know that many of my clients struggle with how to implement these recommendations into their daily lives. Small, premeasured portions can help. For example, DOLE Real Fruit Bites offer a tasty, portion-controlled snack at 80 calories per pouch. Awareness of your caloric intake is a great way to be sure you’re meeting your healthy-living goals and following the dietary guidelines.
Building healthy eating patterns may sound daunting but really, it’s about structuring your meals and snacks to provide food options that are in line with your goals. Eat enough to stay in control; long periods of limited food often result in overeating. Most adults should eat at least every five hours; three meals and one to two snacks are usually adequate. Make sure to include fresh fruits and vegetables and portion-controlled snacks. This is a great way to make sure you have easy options ready when you need them.
Ideally, your meals will have at least half the plate full of produce, which, according to the new Guidelines, most people should eat more. Americans were also called on to reduce sodium (maximum of 2,300 mg per day), trans fats (zero if possible) and cholesterol (less than 300 mg per day). All produce is naturally low in sodium and cholesterol-free and DOLE Real Fruit Bites provide a low-sodium, trans fat−free and cholesterol-free real fruit snack.
Following the Dietary Guidelines can help you set your course toward a long and healthy life. Now is the time to make a choice for your wellness.
• Paulette Lambert, R.D., CDE, is Director of Nutrition at California Health & Longevity Institute. With an extensive clinical education and more than 27 years of experience in private practice, she has wide-ranging experience in clinical nutrition and the development of individualized dietary plans. |
