Healthy Eating and Diet Health Center

The basic food groups of a healthy diet are:

Protein (Meat and Beans)

• Good sources of protein include turkey and chicken.
• Eat lean cuts of beef or pork and trim away any visible fat.
• Fish and shellfish are good, healthy options for protein.
• Beans are good sources of protein.
• Nuts and seets are part of a balanced diet.
• Eggs are good source of protein, but watch out for them because they have high cholesterol.

Grains, Cereals, and Fiber

• Grain products are made from oats, wheat, rice, cornmeal, barley, or another cereal grain.
• Try to only eat whole-grains not refined grains.
• When grains are refined, they lose some of their nutritional value.
• Products with added bran are a good source of fiber, just make sure they are whole-grain.

Dairy (Milk and Milk Products)

• Always choose fat-free or low-fat dairy products.
• Cheese can be a healthy choice, but only in moderation.
• Cream cheese, cream, and butter are not healthy dairy products.

Oils and Fats

• Oils are fats that are liquid at room temperature and most are high in monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats.
• Many healthy oils come from plants, nuts, olives, or fish.
• Any fats that are solid at room temperature contain saturated fats, which are less healthy for you.
• You can reduce saturated fats in your diet by only eating a small amount of egg yolks, hard cheeses, whole milk, and cream.

Fruits and Vegetables

• Fruits and vegetables are lower in calories and are packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
• Eating many fruits and vegetables can help control and even lower your weight.
• Fruits and vegetables are high in fiber and water which can help fill you up.
• Fruits and vegetables can make a great snack during the middle of the day.