The decision to become healthier is not an easy one but is a commitment to your self that can be life changing. Redefining lifestyle habits is a process and needs to be undertaken at your own pace. This is not a crash diet; this is a new way of eating and living. In the process you can discover things about yourself and enjoy foods you never thought you would. During this journey you will most likely lose weight though this is not the main focus. A good place to start our journey is by using Mypyramid --www.mypyramid.gov
Hopefully, many of you have heard of Mypyramid, the USDA’s guide to healthy eating. This pyramid is the recommended way to eat. It is a set of 6 colored bands. Each band corresponds to one food group --the orange band for Grains, the green band for Vegetables, the red band for Fruits, the yellow band for Oils (fats), the blue band for Milk (dairy products), and the purple band for Meat and Beans. These bands form the pyramid shape. It is recommended that our diet consist for mostly of Grains, Fruits and Vegetables. Milk, Meat and Beans are recommended in lesser amounts. Oils (fats) should be consumed in small amounts.
Serving sizes vary depending on your individual profile. Visit http://www.mypyramid.gov/mypyramid/index.aspx to get your own personalized plan.
The last component of Mypyramid is physical activity, represented by the individual walking up the stairs on the side of the pyramid. It is recommended that we do some form of moderate physical activity for 30 minutes a day. These sessions can be broken up into 3 (10 minute) sessions. If this seems daunting or you have never exercised before, start out by walking more during your regular day. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, or park further from the entrance of the stores you normally visit. As this becomes easier, incorporate the official 30 minutes of physical activity into your day.
In future posts, I will expand on each band and give you ideas for incorporating these foods into your eating plan.
Healthy Action Step: Go to http://www.mypyramid.gov/mypyramid/index.aspx and get your personalized plan. Print it out and put on your refrigerator.
Hopefully, many of you have heard of Mypyramid, the USDA’s guide to healthy eating. This pyramid is the recommended way to eat. It is a set of 6 colored bands. Each band corresponds to one food group --the orange band for Grains, the green band for Vegetables, the red band for Fruits, the yellow band for Oils (fats), the blue band for Milk (dairy products), and the purple band for Meat and Beans. These bands form the pyramid shape. It is recommended that our diet consist for mostly of Grains, Fruits and Vegetables. Milk, Meat and Beans are recommended in lesser amounts. Oils (fats) should be consumed in small amounts.
Serving sizes vary depending on your individual profile. Visit http://www.mypyramid.gov/mypyramid/index.aspx to get your own personalized plan.
The last component of Mypyramid is physical activity, represented by the individual walking up the stairs on the side of the pyramid. It is recommended that we do some form of moderate physical activity for 30 minutes a day. These sessions can be broken up into 3 (10 minute) sessions. If this seems daunting or you have never exercised before, start out by walking more during your regular day. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, or park further from the entrance of the stores you normally visit. As this becomes easier, incorporate the official 30 minutes of physical activity into your day.
In future posts, I will expand on each band and give you ideas for incorporating these foods into your eating plan.
Healthy Action Step: Go to http://www.mypyramid.gov/mypyramid/index.aspx and get your personalized plan. Print it out and put on your refrigerator.
