AAASM.ORG
IMPROVING THE LIVES OF BLACK PEOPLE THROUGH
AWARENESS, KNOWLEDGE AND EDUCATION
IMPROVING THE LIVES OF BLACK PEOPLE THROUGH
AWARENESS, KNOWLEDGE AND EDUCATION
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| EXECUTIVE VOLUNTEER STAFF Executive Director Stacey F. Johnson Assistant to the Director Jyssica P. Tomlin Secretary Open Treasurer Open |
| Healthy Eating |
All the information on this page was taken from Mayoclinic.com
A healthy-eating plan can be illustrated in many
ways, but it's often found in the shape of a pyramid.
Food pyramids outline various food groups and
food choices that, if eaten in the right quantities,
form the foundation of a healthy diet.
The food pyramid plan
Guidelines for choosing foods are widely
represented in various food pyramids. The
triangular shape of the pyramid shows you where
to focus when selecting foods. Foods to eat the
most of create the base of the pyramid, and foods
to eat in smaller amounts or less frequently are
shown farther up the pyramid.
Basic principles of all food pyramids
With the variety of food pyramids available, you may
wonder which one to follow. It may help to know
that the basic principles of food pyramids are
largely the same and generally emphasize the
following:
Eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
Reduce intake of saturated fat, trans fat and
cholesterol.
Limit sweets and salt.
Drink alcoholic beverages in moderation, if at
all.
Control portion sizes and the total number
of calories you consume.
Include physical activity in your daily routine.
Food pyramids place foods in categories — such as
dairy products or meat and beans — to help guide
your food choices.
No single food provides all of the nutrients that
your body needs, so eating a variety of foods within
each group ensures that you get the necessary
nutrients and other substances that promote
good health.
Here are a few simple practices to help get or
keep you on track:
Choose a variety of foods from each major
food group. This ensures that you get all of the
calories, protein, vitamins, minerals and fiber you
need. Choosing a wide range of foods also helps
make your meals and snacks more interesting.
Adapt the plan to your specific tastes and
preferences. For example, a serving of grains
doesn't only mean a slice of wheat bread. It can be
wild rice, whole-wheat pasta, grits, bulgur,
cornmeal muffins or even popcorn.
Combine foods from each major group
however you like. For example, you might make a
meal of tortillas (grain group) and beans (meat
and beans group). Or you could top your fish with
fruit salsa or serve steamed vegetables over pasta.
The possibilities are endless.
Select your meals and snacks wisely. Make the
most of what you eat by choosing nutrient-rich
foods within each group. And if you need to avoid
foods from one or more food groups — for
example, if you don't consume dairy products
because of lactose intolerance — choose other
foods that are good sources of the nutrients
found in those foods.
Remember to be open and creative, and go for good
taste! Eating well and eating healthy are very
compatible.
A healthy-eating plan can be illustrated in many
ways, but it's often found in the shape of a pyramid.
Food pyramids outline various food groups and
food choices that, if eaten in the right quantities,
form the foundation of a healthy diet.
The food pyramid plan
Guidelines for choosing foods are widely
represented in various food pyramids. The
triangular shape of the pyramid shows you where
to focus when selecting foods. Foods to eat the
most of create the base of the pyramid, and foods
to eat in smaller amounts or less frequently are
shown farther up the pyramid.
Basic principles of all food pyramids
With the variety of food pyramids available, you may
wonder which one to follow. It may help to know
that the basic principles of food pyramids are
largely the same and generally emphasize the
following:
Eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
Reduce intake of saturated fat, trans fat and
cholesterol.
Limit sweets and salt.
Drink alcoholic beverages in moderation, if at
all.
Control portion sizes and the total number
of calories you consume.
Include physical activity in your daily routine.
Food pyramids place foods in categories — such as
dairy products or meat and beans — to help guide
your food choices.
No single food provides all of the nutrients that
your body needs, so eating a variety of foods within
each group ensures that you get the necessary
nutrients and other substances that promote
good health.
Here are a few simple practices to help get or
keep you on track:
Choose a variety of foods from each major
food group. This ensures that you get all of the
calories, protein, vitamins, minerals and fiber you
need. Choosing a wide range of foods also helps
make your meals and snacks more interesting.
Adapt the plan to your specific tastes and
preferences. For example, a serving of grains
doesn't only mean a slice of wheat bread. It can be
wild rice, whole-wheat pasta, grits, bulgur,
cornmeal muffins or even popcorn.
Combine foods from each major group
however you like. For example, you might make a
meal of tortillas (grain group) and beans (meat
and beans group). Or you could top your fish with
fruit salsa or serve steamed vegetables over pasta.
The possibilities are endless.
Select your meals and snacks wisely. Make the
most of what you eat by choosing nutrient-rich
foods within each group. And if you need to avoid
foods from one or more food groups — for
example, if you don't consume dairy products
because of lactose intolerance — choose other
foods that are good sources of the nutrients
found in those foods.
Remember to be open and creative, and go for good
taste! Eating well and eating healthy are very
compatible.
| Do you know a Family in Need? Sign Up for The AAASM Community Food Locker |
Food Pyramid For Kids
Taken From http://www.mypyramid.gov/kids/. Click on this link
to receive educational materials for your child.
The following MyPyramid materials were designed
specifically for children aged 6 to 11.
MyPyramid Blast Off Game
An interactive computer game where kids can reach
Planet Power by fueling their rocket with food and
physical activity. “Fuel” tanks for each food group help
students keep track of how their choices fit into
MyPyramid.
MyPyramid for Kids Poster
A 2-sided poster of MyPyramid for Kids. One side of
the poster, for younger children, highlights a simplified
MyPyramid for Kids graphic. The other side, for
advanced elementary students, features both the
MyPyramid for Kids graphic and healthy eating and
physical activity messages.
Tips for Families
A 2-sided MyPyramid for Kids mini-poster with the
MyPyramid for Kids graphic on one side and eating
and physical activity tips on the other side. A step-by-
step explanation of the key concepts of the MyPyramid
for Kids symbol.
MyPyramid for Kids Coloring Page
Black and white line art of the MyPyramid for Kids
symbol for kids to color.
MyPyramid for Kids Worksheet
Worksheet to help kids track how their food choices
match up to the recommendations of
Taken From http://www.mypyramid.gov/kids/. Click on this link
to receive educational materials for your child.
The following MyPyramid materials were designed
specifically for children aged 6 to 11.
MyPyramid Blast Off Game
An interactive computer game where kids can reach
Planet Power by fueling their rocket with food and
physical activity. “Fuel” tanks for each food group help
students keep track of how their choices fit into
MyPyramid.
MyPyramid for Kids Poster
A 2-sided poster of MyPyramid for Kids. One side of
the poster, for younger children, highlights a simplified
MyPyramid for Kids graphic. The other side, for
advanced elementary students, features both the
MyPyramid for Kids graphic and healthy eating and
physical activity messages.
Tips for Families
A 2-sided MyPyramid for Kids mini-poster with the
MyPyramid for Kids graphic on one side and eating
and physical activity tips on the other side. A step-by-
step explanation of the key concepts of the MyPyramid
for Kids symbol.
MyPyramid for Kids Coloring Page
Black and white line art of the MyPyramid for Kids
symbol for kids to color.
MyPyramid for Kids Worksheet
Worksheet to help kids track how their food choices
match up to the recommendations of
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