Harvard University’s School of Public Health has created a “Healthy Eating Plate” program to help us visualize what a nutritious meal should look like…
Fill half of your plate with fruits and vegetables. The more colorful they are, the better. Sorry, fries and potatoes don’t count.
Your plate should include 1/4 whole grains. Whole wheat grains are best, brown rice and whole wheat pasta are healthy choices as well. Whole grains are less processed than white bread and rice, and have a gentler effect on insulin and blood sugar.
Include 1/4 part protein on your plate. Fish, chicken, beans or nuts are preferred. Avoid processed meats like bacon and hotdogs, and limit your consumption of red meat.
Hopefully the gatherings you may attend over the holiday weekend will allow you enough choices to make a “Healthy Eating Plate!”
To see the diagram, and learn more about Harvard’s suggestions go to www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource