Healthy Eating … Just for You!

Today’s consumers are more health conscious than ever. We’re looking for practical, convenient ways to eat better and lead healthier lives. The new USDA Food Guide Pyramid offers an interactive food guidance system designed to help individuals make healthier food choices. Log on to MyPyramid.gov and enter your age, gender and physical activity level to get a personalized nutrition and exercise program made just for you.

With MyPyramid, you’ll learn how to:

• Make smart choices from every food group.
• Find a balance between food and physical activity.
• Get the most nutrition out of your calories.

In addition to personalized eating recommendations, MyPyramid.gov gives three practical health principals for all of us to keep in mind.

Moderation.

MyPyramid reminds us to keep an eye on portion sizes. Many Americans eat two or three times what is considered an appropriate serving size. Visit MyPyramid.gov to learn about correct portion sizes.

Balance.

Extreme avoidance of one or more food groups can lead to an imbalanced intake of nutrients. A good variety of foods, including foods of different colors, helps ensure you’re getting a full spectrum of the key nutrients your body needs to stay healthy.

Exercise.

MyPyramid emphasizes the role of physical activity in maintaining good health. Regular exercise helps the cardiovascular and digestive systems work better, and assists with maintaining or loosing weight. Physical activity also helps guard against the negative health effects of a stressful lifestyle.