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Benefits of Eating Healthy

When it comes to foods and drinks, choosing healthy options can make you feel better and help you live a longer, healthier life. Combined with physical activity, eating better can help you reach and maintain a healthy weight — and even reduce your risk of chronic diseases like stroke, diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

How do you eat better? Choose foods that are high in vitamins, minerals, fiber and other healthful ingredients — and low in saturated fat, sodium and added sugars.

With a few simple changes, you can eat healthier. Just remember to fill half your plate with fruits and veggies at every meal, choose whole grains and low fat dairy and, vary your protein intake.

 

THE 5 FOOD GROUPS

Fruits. Vegetables. Grains. Protein. Dairy. The right mix of these foods can improve your health now and in the future. Learn all about them.

 

NUTRITION QUIZ

How much do you know about nutrition? Take this quiz to learn more about the benefits of eating better for you and your family.

 

NUTRITION GLOSSARY

What are vitamins and minerals? What is cholesterol and why is too much of it bad? Learn all about nutrition here.

 

WHAT ABOUT CALORIES?

Another part of understanding food? Understanding calories. Calories measure how much energy foods and drinks provide. Our bodies store and “burn” calories as fuel, which we use to work, play and even sleep. In general, for a healthy lifestyle it’s important to balance the number of calories you consume with the number of calories you burn off.

Not all calories are good calories. Some foods and drinks — like potato chips, cookies and soda — contain “empty” calories. That means they provide calories, but have little or no other nutritional value. Fruits and vegetables, on the other hand, contain calories as well as vitamins, minerals and other nutrients necessary for our bodies. So when choosing what to eat and drink, it’s important to get enough nutrients without too many calories.

 

HOW TO READ NUTRITION LABELS

Nutrition labels tell you the healthy and unhealthy ingredients found in certain foods. Use our guide to better understand how to read them.

 

THE INCREDIBLE BENEFITS OF WATER

Next time you’re searching for a thirst-quencher, rethink your drink and choose water. Whether it’s bottled, from the tap, at a restaurant — anywhere — H2O is the way to go.

UNDERSTANDING OBESITY

When you consume extra calories and are not physically active, it creates an unevenness in your body that can lead to obesity. Learn more.

 

NUTRITION AND INFANTS

Making nutritious choices starts early. Learn the importance of infant nutrition and the healthiest way to feed your baby here.

FOOD SAFETY

With some simple methods for selecting, washing, preparing and storing food, you can avoid foodborne illnesses and keep your family safe. Check them out.

 

HEALTHY RECIPES

Ready to start eating better? Check out our hub of quick, healthy, tasty, budget-friendly recipes!