[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEFmSk08LIE] We’re faced with a lot of choices every day. Sometimes, the most difficult choice can be what foods you should eat to have a healthy, balanced meal. Many of us grew up with the colorful food pyramid, which educated us on the different food groups. The USDA-created graphic helped us navigate the aisles of the grocery store and encouraged us to stock our refrigerators with healthy snacks and meal options. In 2011, the USDA created MyPlate to use as the guideline for our daily eating habits. Meal planning tools, such as MyPlate, can be extremely helpful for managing diabetes and keeping your health numbers in check. The plate graphic, which shows recommended portions of fruits, veggies, proteins, grains, and dairy, is designed to get Americans to start being healthier by combining healthy foods and physical activity. Here are some tips to help make MyPlate part of your My Diabetes Home health plan:
  • Use a 9 inch plate. The larger the plate, the more calories you will consume.
  • Go to the USDA website and search MyPlate to get access to multiple tools, such as daily food plans, sample menus, and dietary guidelines.
  • Print off a MyPlate placemat to serve as a daily reminder to eat healthy.
  • Make simple reductions of unhealthy drink and snack choices (such as sugary drinks or snacks that have a high sodium or sugar content) to water and fruits and vegetables.
How do you make sure you’re eating healthy? Give us your tips in the comments. photo credit: USDAgov via photopin cc
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