How to Eat Nutritionally Well

Consuming enough of the right foods can provide your body with the vitamins and other nutrients needed to resist conditions like diabetes and heart disease. In June of 2011, the United States Department of Agriculture scrapped the Food Pyramid nutritional guide and introduced My Plate. The My Plate program gives valuable advice on how to eat a nutritionally balanced diet.

Instructions

• 1

  Eat more fruits and vegetables. The USDA advises that half of each meal be composed of fresh plant foods. Fresh fruits and vegetables are preferable, but even canned and frozen foods are beneficial.

• 2

  Make one-quarter of each meal grains. Whole grains are especially desirable because they may assist with reducing constipation and heart disease. Examples of grain foods are bread, grits, oatmeal and tortillas.

• 3

  Prepare proteins for one-quarter of each meal. The USDA recommends beans, peas, eggs, nuts, meat, seafood, seeds and processed soy products. Proteins help your body build bone, cartilage, muscle, and blood.

• 4

  Convert your dairy intake to products that are low in fat or fat-free. Dairy products are instrumental in bone health and in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, blood pressure and diabetes.

• 5

  Replace your intake of sugary beverages with water.