Nutrition Challenge

Why does it matter what we eat? 

• The food you put into your bodies and what you drink makes a difference in your health for today and for all of your years to come.

USDA My Plate has these 5 eating keys:

1. Make half of your plate fruits and vegetables: Whole fruits and vary your veggies
2. Make half your grains whole grains
3. Fat free or low-fat milk or yogurt
4. Vary your protein
5. Drink and eat less sodium, saturated fat and added sugar

USDA My Plate lists these Food Groups:

1. Fruits
2. Vegetables
3. Dairy
4. Grains
5. Protein Foods

Fruits:
Any fruit or 100% fruit juice is considered to be in the fruit group.
Vegetables:
Any vegetable or 100% vegetable juice is considered to be in the vegetable group.

Grains:
Grains are any food made from: wheat, rice, oats, cornmeal, barley, or other cereal products. There are 2 types of grains, whole grain and refined grains. Whole grains should make up at least half of your grains.
Protein:
Foods that are made from fish, meat, poultry, beans, peas, eggs, nuts, seeds and processed soy products. Try to select meat that is lean and low fat.
Dairy:

The dairy group consists of all fluid milk products and foods made from milk that has calcium. Examples: cheese, yogurt and calcium fortified soy milk. 

Nutrition Challenge:

• We challenge you to improve your eating habits each week. You can use the challenge below or create your own for the next 6 weeks! 

Week 1: Try a new fruit or vegetable.
Week 2: Drink water instead of sugary drinks
Week 3: Make half your grains whole grains
Week 4: Drink beverages and eat food with less sodium and added sugar
Week 5:  Make half of my plate fruits and veggies
Week 6: Combine all goals from the previous weeks