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Eat better to live better.

The right food choices can make a big difference in your health. Eating more fruits and vegetables and less saturated fats will help you maintain a healthy weight and avoid chronic diseases.

Man eating a salad - Eat better to live better

Eating

Make better food choices.

  • Eat more whole grains (wheat instead of white bread) and brown rice.
  • Eat at least five servings of vegetables and fruits every day.
  • Avoid eating high-fat dairy products and look for lower-fat options.
  • Eat more fish.
  • Drink alcohol in moderation.
  • Avoid solid-fat foods like butter, cream, and shortening.
  • Limit your consumption of grilled meats.
  • Limit your consumption of processed deli meats.

Lose weight

Eating healthy can help you lose weight.

There are many foods you can have when you make a plan to manage your weight. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers these tips:

Know how many calories you should eat.

Dietary guidelines recommend how many calories you should consume per day based on your age, gender, and physical activity level.

  • Eat the rainbow — add a variety of foods like dark leafy greens, oranges, and tomatoes to your diet. Or add a red sauce instead of extra salt.
  • Use fresh, frozen, or canned fruits — just stay away from the ones with extra sugar.
  • Use fresh, frozen, or canned vegetables for a quick side dish — try something new each week.
  • Eat calcium-rich foods — try low-fat milk and fat-free flavored yogurts.
  • Try a new twist on an old favorite — instead of frying fish, try grilling it. Maybe even try a recipe that uses dry beans in place of high-fat meats.
  • Eat comfort foods less often — when you do, replace high-calorie ingredients with lower-calorie ones.