Best Fork Forward: Eat and Drink the Right Amount for You

Eat and drink the right amount for you!

How much you should eat and drink? Do you know?

Probably not – right?

The answer? It depends. I know – what kind of answer is that! But it really truly is dependent on many things – age, gender, activity level, health conditions, culture, traditions… Oh I could go on and on but I think you get the point.

Well, how do you figure this out? You can track your food and activities and see how that stacks up with what your body needs. There’s nothing wrong with this method – if it works for you. This can take a lot of effort and be time-consuming. You know what that means? You may not stick with it. And we’re trying to create a healthy lifestyle right?

So – keep it simple. Think about adding a variety of healthful foods. Include more fruits and vegetables in your diet. And guess what? People who eat more fruits and vegetables tend to be healthier and live longer. (Huh – how about that?!) Watch your portions. An easy way to do this is to make half your plate fruits and vegetables and half your plate protein and grains. Have you heard of MyPlate? No? Then check it out. And finally, listen to your body. Be mindful about your eating. Slow down and take time to taste your food, enjoy your meals and the pleasures of eating good food. Think about how you feel during and after your meal. By doing this you’ll reduce the likelihood of overeating. (Really it can!)

Don’t forget what you drink matters too! Try to move away from sugary drinks like soda, juice, and energy drinks (to name a few). These drinks can add a lot of unwanted calories without providing any nutritional benefit. Drink water instead. It’s calorie free and readily available. Not keen on water? Try sparkling mineral water. Especially if you’re a soda drinker – the carbonation can be satisfying. Add some pizzazz to water. Slice up some citrus fruit or add some berries or you can even add sliced up veggies like cucumber.

Remember this year’s nutrition month theme is about you. So eat and drink the right amount for you. You hold the tool to make healthier choices to fit best into your life.

What fits into your lifestyle?