Tips for Adding Good Nutrition to Your Lifestyle

Good nutrition is crucial for sustaining a healthy lifestyle. From childhood to adulthood, it plays a significant role in extending life expectancy and reducing the likelihood of various health issues, including cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, obesity and more. Good nutrition means regularly choosing healthy foods and beverages.

 A healthy eating plan should include food groups that help you have a balanced diet for your daily life. Nutrients include proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals and water. For you to make lasting positive changes in your nutrition, what you buy and eat should also reflect personal tastes, cultural practices and financial considerations. 

Following a healthy eating plan doesn't mean limiting yourself. It's not about eliminating favorite dishes, but it's about enjoying a wide range of foods, including those less beneficial to health, but in moderation. Balancing these with nutritious food choices and regular exercise is essential.

Keys to a Healthy Eating Plan

According to MedlinePlus, these are the keys to a healthy eating plan:

• Eating a variety of foods, including vegetables, fruits, and whole-grain products
• Eating lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, and low-fat dairy products
• Getting enough fiber
• Drinking lots of water
• Limiting salt, added sugars, alcohol, and saturated fat

To learn more about healthy eating plans, you visit  MedlinePlus | Nutrition .

Healthy Snacks

The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center has gathered a list of healthy snacks and here are a few examples:

Each snack has a carb and a protein

• 3 (2.5 inch) graham crackers (carb) with 1 tablespoon natural peanut butter (protein)
• 1/2 whole wheat pita (carb) filled with 1/2 cup tuna salad made with light mayonnaise (protein)
• 1 small apple (carb) with a hard-boiled egg (protein)
• 1/2 cup cooked oatmeal (carb) with 1/4 cup chopped nuts (protein)
• 5 to 6 whole wheat crackers (carb) with 1 ounce cheese (protein)

For additional resources, click  Lifestyle and Nutrition Recommendations  to download the patient education PDF.

For more resources, please email your questions to an LHI librarian at health-info@osu.edu, or call us at (614) 293-3707. All information is free and confidential.

The Library for Health Information is here for you. To find out more, visit the LHI webpage.