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Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein.

Healthy Eating

Overview

What is healthy eating?

Healthy eating is about balance, variety, and moderation. It means that you eat enough, but not too much, and that you eat a variety of foods that give you the nutrients you need to stay healthy. All foods, if you eat them in moderation, can be a part of healthy eating.

Why pay attention to what you eat?

Healthy eating will help you get the right balance of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. These nutrients keep your heart beating, your brain active, and your muscles working.

Healthy eating will help you feel your best and have plenty of energy. And it is one of the best things you can do to prevent and control many health problems, such as:

  • Heart disease.
  • High blood pressure.
  • Type 2 diabetes.
  • Some types of cancer.

How do you make healthy eating a habit?

A good first step in changing a habit is knowing why you want to change. Your reason for healthy eating is really important. If you do it because you want to, you are more likely to have success.

What makes you want to change how you eat? Do you:

  • Want to feel better and have more energy?
  • Want to improve your health?
  • Want to prevent or treat health problems, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes?
  • Have another reason for wanting to do this?

Whatever your reason, you may already know what areas you want to work on. Maybe you want to cut back on high-fat snacks or eat more high-fiber foods.

If you like, you can write down your reason for wanting to eat more healthy foods. You may have more than one.

How can you start eating in a healthier way?

If you're trying to eat in healthier ways, you may need to change some of your daily habits. But you don't need to make huge changes. Over time, small changes can make a big difference. So change your eating habits a little bit at a time.

For example:

  • Try switching from white rice to brown rice or white bread to whole-grain bread. Or drink water instead of high-sugar drinks.
  • Focus on adding healthy food to your diet, rather than just taking unhealthy foods away. For example, add vegetables to sandwiches or add fruit to yogurt and cereal.
  • Help yourself make healthy choices. Keep more healthy foods, like fruits and vegetables, at home. Put your snacks on a plate instead of eating from the package.

Where can you get support?

Your family and friends can help you change how you eat, but you also can get help from others. Maybe you could see if any neighbors or coworkers want to change how they eat. You could join a healthy-eating class or support group. Or you could look for online forums and chat rooms.

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Current as of: October 7, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

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