Tips For Maintaining a Balanced Diet

Maintaining a well-balanced diet is not always easy but it doesn’t always have to be boring either. There are many ways to incorporate your favorite foods into a healthier diet. Remember, dieting isn’t about restricting yourself. It’s all about moderation!

Remember to eat at least 3 meals a day and include snacks.

Try to eat home-cooked meals as much as possible. Eating food at home usually costs less and is healthier.

Drink plenty of water throughout the day.

Try to avoid sugary drinks. Sodas and juices contain very high levels of sugar so it is best not to drink them on a daily basis.

Remember to include fruits into your everyday diet. Fruits can be an easy and refreshing snack.

Try to eat balanced meals. By looking at the MyPlate icon, balanced meals should include a grain, a vegetable, a fruit, a protein and some kind of dairy. Below are some ideas to include in your meals.

GRAINS:

Anything made from barley, oats, wheat, rice, cornmeal, or other cereal grain.

Whole wheat, brown rice, oatmeal.

VEGETABLES:

Remember to include a variety of veggies in your diet!

Dark green, red, or orange vegetables

Legumes (beans and peas)

Starchy vegetables

FRUITS:

Juices that contain 100% fruit juice or any fruit count as part of this food group.

Can be fresh, canned, dried, or frozen

PROTEIN:

Choose lean meats or poultry items. Proteins should vary in your diet.

Meat

Poultry

Fish

Nuts, seeds

Legumes

DAIRY:

Milk products or any dairy product made from milk. Choose fat-free or low-fat options. Be sure they are high in calcium, as well.

Be sure to include plenty of physical activity into your everyday routine. Put aside some time each day to dedicate to exercise.

Find healthier alternatives to your favorite sweets!

For example, if you love peanut butter, try out an all-natural type of peanut butter that just contains peanuts. Brands like “Jif” or “Skippy” include many unnecessary and unhealthy ingredients into their peanut butters that take away from the nutritional value that peanuts can provide. Finding an all-natural alternative to your favorite items will help you feel like you are not restricting yourself completely.

DO NOT BE SO HARD ON YOURSELF!

It’s easy to either become obsessed with dieting or finding it extremely hard to stay on track. Remember, there is always tomorrow to try again. Educating yourself is the first step and you have already done that. So be proud!