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Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Total diet approach to healthy eating


How do you measure up? Would you say you fall into any of those percentages? I have to say I'm in there with the 82%. There's food that I just won't give up. Examples? OK!
1. Cereal
2. Hamburgers made with real beef
3. French Fries! FOR THE LOVE OF FOOD I could never give up french fries
4. Pizza
5. Cheese-I love cheese!
And I could go on and on. However, let me throw in my disclosure: I eat it all in moderation, combined with regular physical activity and I DO eat my vegetables!

Perhaps you are wondering about The Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The DGA are established every five years. You see, all of these smart people set around a table reviewing research and arguing about what is the healthiest diet Americans should be consuming. Well, at least this is what I picture in my head.

Formally speaking: "The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 are the current Federal policy. They provide evidence-based nutrition information and advice for people age 2 and older. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans serve as the basis for Federal food and nutrition education programs."

It you are curious about the meetings check out this video! Let me know what you think.

Moving on....

To break down the dietary guidelines the USDA came up with selected messages for Americans.

1. Balancing Calories
.....Enjoy your food, but eat less.
.....Avoid over sized portions.

2. Foods to Increase
.....Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.
.....Make at least half your grains whole grains.
.....Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk.

3. Foods to Reduce
.....Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals and choose the foods with lower numbers.
.....Drink water instead of sugary drinks.

Doesn't seem too complicated. What changes can you make to get you and your family healthier?
The Huggins household has compromised over the past few years.


  • Whole Milk to Low-Fat Milk
  • White Bread to Wheat Bread
  • White Pasta to Whole Grain Pasta
  • Coke to Coke Zero
  • Buying packaged and canned foods with reduced sodium
  • Avoiding Trans Fat (partially hydrogenated oils)
  • Red meat to Lean meat like turkey and chicken
  • Adding non-starchy vegetables to our plates instead of overloading with starches
  • Keep fresh produce available for snacking and cooking
We still have some things to work on, but hey we are working!

Continue reading as I continue my mission: Healthy Huggins!




2 comments:

  1. I wont be giving up cheeseburgers, fries, cheese or beer anytime soon! You have to enjoy life still I say! We have been doing the same things as you, switching to low sodium, lean or healthier options. It is all about balance. Sometimes it is harder than others!

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