Simple tricks to eating well.
Most of us don’t really pay attention to what’s on our plate. We just know we like it or we don’t. But we eat food not just because we’re hungry or because it's delicious. We also eat to get nutrients that our brains and bodies need to stay strong and avoid illness. Figuring out what to eat and finding the right balance is often confusing, but it doesn’t have to be. The first step is to understand the different types of foods and how they help your body. There are five food groups…
Vegetables This should be the biggest portion on your plate. Veggies are full of vitamins and minerals, and high in fiber, which helps to keep you full.
Fruits Fruit is full of vitamins and minerals. Eat as many colours and kinds as you can. But don’t think drinking fruit juice is going to do the job of fruit, it could actually be full of sugar, but without the good nutrients.
Grains Grains should be a quarter of your meal. Maize, rice, bread, and potatoes are delicious, packed with fiber and will fill you up. Try to eat brown grains if you can. Food made with brown or whole grains has more fiber and nutrients than white or processed ones. Try to stay away from grains cooked with lots of sugar, salt and fat, like cakes or chips.
Protein Think beef, chicken, beans, lentils, nuts and eggs. If you ever hear someone talking about brain food, they’re talking about protein.
Dairy Dairy is full of calcium, which is like food for your bones and teeth. And it’s found in milk, yogurt and cheese.
A healthy meal should have all the foods from the different food groups.
