BLANCED FOOD

The Dietary Guidelines of 2000 attracted criticism from several dietitians, nutritionists and expert groups (eg. Harvard School of Public Health, who built their own Healthy Eating Pyramid).

Basic Advice About Balanced Diet

• Consume a variety of nutrient-dense foods and drinks among the basic food groups. Choose foods that restrict your intake of saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, added sugars, salt, and alcohol.
• Follow a balanced eating pattern, such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Guide or the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Eating Plan.

Recommendations For a Balanced Diet

• Consume an adequate amount of fruit and vegetables but stay within the correct calorie level for a healthy weight.
• On a 2000-calorie diet, eat 2 cups of fruit and 2 and a half cups of vegetables per day. Eat more or less according to your calorie needs.
• Eat a variety of fruit and vegetables each day. Choose from all five vegetable sub-groups (dark green, orange, legumes, starchy vegetables, and other vegetables) several times a week.

  

Vegetables

Of course, you need your vegetables, especially those dark green and orange on

es. But how

much is enough? Vegetable servings are measured in cups.

Fruits

Sweet, juicy fruit is definitely part of a healthy diet

Meats, Beans, Fish, and Nuts

These foods contain iron and lots of other important nutrients. Like grains, these foods are measured in ounce equivalents.