Around the first of the year there was a study done by a national magazine that ranked the most popular diets in our culture. There were several categories, but the diet that seemed to come out on top for all around health and well being was the Dash Diet. Have you heard of it? This is the second year in a row that the Dash Diet has received top honors.
So what makes me so excited about this "diet"? This diet is just the healthy eating that we have already been doing! The healthy information we have been learning from Food $ense about eating well.
We have been following My Plate and the My Plate Guidelines. We have been adding more veggies to our meals and snacks, we have been striving to make half our grains whole grains, and we have already switched to low-fat and no fat dairy products. We are cutting down on unhealthy fats and eating less sodium. We are being more active. We are doing so many amazing things!
Do you want to know more about this Dash Diet? Here is a really indepth plan and here is a shorter version.
What are some changes we can make to ease ourselves into a healthy eating change?
Add a serving of vegetables at lunch one day and dinner the next, and add fruit at one meal or as a snack.
Increase your use of fat-free and low-fat milk products to three servings a day.
Limit lean meats to 6 ounces a day—3 ounces a meal, which is about the size of a deck of cards.
If you usually eat large portions of meats, cut them back over a couple of days—by half or a third at each meal.
Include two or more vegetarian-style, or meatless, meals each week.
All of these tips can not only help you eat healthier but can be easier on your budget. Eating well and being healthy doesn't have to cost a fortune. We can do it on the budgets and sometimes for less than what we are spending now.
Doesn't it feel good when you know something and then someone smart comes a long and confirms that you are RIGHT! all along?
