It’s easier than you think to start eating healthy! Take small steps each week to improve your nutrition and move toward a healthier you.

Eight Healthy Eating Goals
Small changes can make a big difference to your health. Try incorporating at least six of the eight goals below into your diet. Commit to incorporating one new healthy eating goal each week over the next six weeks. You can track your progress through PALA+.

Make half your plate fruits and vegetables: Choose red, orange, and dark-green vegetables like tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and broccoli, along with other vegetables for your meals. Add fruit to meals as part of main or side dishes or as dessert. The more colorful you make your plate, the more likely you are to get the vitamins, minerals, and fiber your body needs to be healthy.

Make half the grains you eat whole grains: An easy way to eat more whole grains is to switch from a refined-grain food to a whole-grain food. For example, eat whole-wheat bread instead of white bread. Read the ingredients list and choose products that list a whole-grain ingredients first. Look for things like: “whole wheat,” “brown rice,” “bulgur,” “buckwheat,” “oatmeal,” “rolled oats,” quinoa,” or “wild rice.”

Try This!

Emphasis on Fruits & Veggies

• Mix vegetables into your go-to dishes. Try spinach with pasta or peppers in tacos.
• Use fresh, frozen, and canned fruits and vegetables. They all offer the same great nutrients. Just be sure to watch the sodium on canned vegetables and look for fruits packed in water or 100% juice (not syrup).
• Pack your child’s lunch bag with fruits and veggies: sliced apples, a banana, or carrot sticks are all healthy options.

Healthy Snacks

• For a handy snack, keep cut-up fruits and vegetables like carrots, peppers, or orange slices in the refrigerator.
• Teach children the difference between everyday snacks, such as fruits and veggies, and occasional snacks, such as cookies or other sweets.
• Make water a staple of snack time. Try adding a slice of lemon, lime, or a splash of 100% juice to your water for a little flavor.
• Swap out your cookie jar for a basket filled with fresh fruit.

Ways to Reduce Fat, Salt, and Sugar

• Choose baked or grilled food instead of fried when you’re eating out and implement this at home, too.
• Make water and fat-free or low-fat milk your go-to drinks instead of soda or sweetened beverages.
• Serve fruits as everyday desserts-like baked apples and pears or a fruit salad.
• Read labels on packaged ingredients to find foods lower in sodium.
• Skip adding salt when cooking; instead use herbs and spices to add flavor.

Controlling Portion Size

• Use smaller plates to control portion sizes.
• Don’t clean your plate or bowl if you’re full, instead save leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch.
• Portion sizes depend on the age, gender, and activity level of the individual.