Eight Good Health Guidelines

Eight Good Health Guidelines

1. Eat at least five servings of vegetables and fruits each day.
2. Choose whole-grain foods, such as brown rice and oats, whenever possible.
3. Include two servings of milk products – low fat (1%) or fat-free – each day.
4. Have some healthy oil (olive oil, canola, sunflower, safflower or flaxseed) each day.
5. Ensure that you are getting enough protein by choosing at least a serving or two of meat, poultry, fish, eggs, or dried beans each day. Many dairy products are also good sources of protein.
6. Limit added sugar and alcohol.
7. Drink at least 6 8-ounce glasses of water a day.
8. Take a multiple vitamin-mineral supplement each day.
What's a serving size?

1. Fruits, vegetables and leafy greens: Serving sizes are 1 cup for leafy greens and 1/2 cup for all other vegetables and fruits. The lettuce alone in a large salad may well count for 2 or more vegetable servings. The default portion for most fruits and vegetables is 1 cup.

2. Packaged whole grains: Use the nutrition label to determine the serving size of packaged whole grain foods.

3. Milk and dairy: If you are more than 50 years old or are a teenager or a nursing mom, increase milk servings to three each day. Examples of one milk serving include 1 cup of milk or yogurt or 1 1/2 ounces of many cheeses.

4. Healthy oils: Having 2 teaspoons of healthy oil each day ensures that you get the vitamin E and essential fatty acids that your body needs. Use the oil on salads, in cooking or as an ingredient in a mixed dish. 2 teaspoons of oil is not even 1 tablespoon, so be careful to measure, since each additional teaspoon counts as another POINTS® value of 1.

5. Lean meat and fish: A serving of lean meat or fish is generally 3 to 4 ounces, about the size of a deck of cards.

6. Water: Six 8-ounce glasses of water is just 3 standard 16-ounce bottles.