Why is healthy eating important?
When combined with exercise, a healthy diet can help you lose weight, lower your cholesterol level and improve the way your body functions on a daily basis.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Pyramid divides food into 5 basic food groups: grains, fruits and vegetables, dairy, meats and fats. The USDA recommends that you have the following number of servings from each of the main food groups every day:

1.Grains (6-11 servings)
2.Fruits and Vegetables (5-7 servings)
3.Dairy (2-3 servings for men and 3-4 servings for women)
4.Meats (2-3 servings)
5.Fats, Oils and Sweets (use sparingly)

What is serving size?
Serving size is the amount of food that makes up one Food Pyramid serving. When trying to eat a healthy diet, it’s important to know how much you’re eating. Measuring and weighing your food can seem tedious and time-consuming at first, but you’ll soon learn what a single serving looks like without measuring or weighing it. See the box below for examples of serving size from each of the food groups.
Tips to help you judge serving size:
◆Grains
1 tortilla
1/2 English muffin or hamburger bun
1/2 cup cooked cereal, rice or pasta
6 to 8 crackers
1/2 starchy vegetable, such as potato
1/2 cup tofu
◆Fruits and Vegetables
1 medium-size piece of fresh fruit
1/2 cup canned fruit or vegetable
1/2 cup dried fruit
1/2 cup cooked vegetable
1 cup leafy or raw vegetable
3/4 cup fruit or vegetable juice
◆Meat, Poultry, Fish and Meat Alternatives
3 ounces of meat, poultry or fish (about the size of a pack of cards)
1 egg
2 tablespoons peanut butter
1/2 cup cooked dry beans
◆Dairy
1 cup milk
1 cup yogurt
1 ounce or 1/2 cup cheese
1/2 cup cottage cheese
◆Fats, Oils and Sweets
1 tbsp margarine
1 tbsp vegetable or canola oil
1 tbsp butter
What are some easy healthy changes I can make in my diet?