guide
Healthy Living
NUTRITION BASICS
NUTRITION TOPIC ONE Do you ever feel like you can't keep up with the changes in technology? Sometimes it seems that way with dietary advice, as if things are always changing. While it's true that the fields of diet and nutrition are areas of evolving research, there are some basic concepts you can keep in mind. By knowing these basics, you will be better equipped to sort through nutrition research and dietary advice.
Food Groups Are you interested in healthy eating and having a balanced diet? If so, you'll want to learn more about food groups. You may have grown up with the "Basic 4": dairy group, meat group, grain group, and the fruits and vegetables group. As nutrition science has changed, so have these food groups.
What are the basic food groups? Foods are grouped together when they share similar nutritional properties. The groups below are based on the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan. Depending on the plan you choose, you might find the food groups arranged with some slight differences. For example, MyPyramid has a meat and beans group instead of a meat, poultry, and fish group. Food Groups
Examples
Grains
Whole wheat bread and rolls, whole wheat pasta, English muffin, pita bread, bagel, cereals, grits, oatmeal, brown rice, unsalted pretzels and popcorn
Fruits
Apples, apricots, bananas, dates, grapes, oranges, grapefruit, grapefruit juice, mangoes, melons, peaches, pineapples, raisins, strawberries, tangerines, and 100% fruit juice
Vegetables
Broccoli, carrots, collards, green beans, green peas, kale, lima beans, potatoes, spinach, squash, sweet potatoes, tomatoes
Fat-free or lowfat milk and milk products
Fat-free (skim) or low-fat (1%) milk or buttermilk, fat-free, low-fat, or reduced-fat cheese, fat-free or low-fat regular or frozen yogurt
Lean meats, poultry, and fish
Beef, poultry, pork, game meats, fish, shellfish Select only lean; trim away visible fats; broil, roast, or poach; remove skin from poultry
Nuts, seeds, and legumes
Almonds, hazelnuts, mixed nuts, peanuts, walnuts, sunflower seeds, peanut butter, kidney beans, lentils, split peas
How much of each food group should I eat? To learn this, you'll want to refer to a healthy eating plan. A healthy eating plan will show you how much you need from each food group to stay within your calorie needs and promote good health. A healthy eating plan can also help you learn— •
How many calories you need each day.
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How much of each food equals a portion.
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How to make healthy choices in each food group.
What are some examples of healthy eating plans? Two examples of healthy eating plans are identified by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005:
MyPyramid.gov (based on The USDA Food Guide)
The DASH Eating Plan
Which eating plan should I choose? Either can work for you. Both are healthy eating plans that— •
Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat or fat-free milk and milk products.
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Include lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts.
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Are low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars.
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Can provide your daily calorie needs (when you choose the recommended amounts).
Choose the meal plan that works best for you. Here's some more information to help you choose: MyPyramid.gov
DASH Eating Plan
Where did it come from?
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Guide is the basis for the eating plans offered through MyPyramid.gov. MyPyramid.gov was developed to help individuals create meal plans specific to their needs and takes into account the following: ·Sex ·Age ·Height ·Weight ·Physical activity level
DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. Developed by researchers funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to learn if certain nutrients in foods would help reduce blood pressure. Studies showed that the eating plan, particularly when combined with eating less sodium, lowered blood pressure. Although the plan was developed to help lower blood pressure, it offers a healthy approach to eating that can benefit all adults.
What is available to help me?
Tools to develop individualized eating plans, tips for following them, and tools for tracking progress.
Information about food groups, serving sizes, sample menus, and recipes.
Where can I go See MyPyramid.gov. for more information?
See The DASH Eating Plan.
How do foods with extra fats or sugars fit? Some foods contain added fats or sugars. Both food plans have categories to help you include these foods in your diet occasionally. The DASH plan has a fats and oils category and a sweets and added sugars category. MyPyramid.gov has an oils category and a discretionary calories category.
Water: Meeting Your Daily Fluid Needs Ever notice how lifeless a house plant looks when you forget to water it? Just a little water and it seems to perk back up. Water is just as essential for our bodies because it is in every cell, tissue, and organ in your body. That's why getting enough water every day is important for your health. Healthy people meet their fluid needs by drinking when thirsty and drinking fluids with meals. But, if you're outside in hot weather for most of the day or doing vigorous physical activity, you'll need to make an effort to drink more fluids.
Where do I get the water I need? Most of your water needs are met through the water and beverages you drink. You can get some fluid through the foods you eat. For example, broth soups and other foods that are 85% to 95% water such as celery, tomatoes, oranges, and melons.
What does water do in my body? Water helps your body with the following: •
Keeps its temperature normal.
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Lubricates and cushions your joints.
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Protects your spinal cord and other sensitive tissues.
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Gets rid of wastes through urination, perspiration, and bowel movements.
Why do I need to drink enough water each day? You need water to replace what your body loses through normal everyday functions. Of course, you lose water when you go to the bathroom or sweat, but you even lose small amounts of water when you exhale. You need to replace this lost water to prevent dehydration.
Your body also needs more water when you are— •
In hot climates.
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More physically active.
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Running a fever.
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Having diarrhea or vomiting.
To help you stay hydrated during prolonged physical activity or when it is hot outside, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005 recommend these two steps: 1. Drink fluid while doing the activity. 2. Drink several glasses of water or other fluid after the physical activity is completed.1 Also, when you are participating in vigorous physical activity, it's important to drink before you even feel thirsty. Thirst is a signal that your body is on the way to dehydration. Some people may have fluid restrictions because of a health problem, such as kidney disease. If your healthcare provider has told you to restrict your fluid intake, be sure to follow that advice.
Tips for Increasing Your Fluid Intake by Drinking More Water Under normal conditions, most people can drink enough fluids to meet their water needs. If you are outside in hot weather for most of the day or doing vigorous activity, you may need to increase your fluid intake. If you think you're not getting enough water each day, the following tips may help: •
Carry a water bottle for easy access when you are at work or running errands.
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Freeze some freezer-safe water bottles. Take one with you for ice-cold water all day long.
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Choose water instead of sugar-sweetened beverages. This tip can also help with weight management. Substituting water for one 20-ounce sugar-sweetened soda will save you about 240 calories.
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Choose water instead of other beverages when eating out. Generally, you will save money and reduce calories.
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Give your water a little pizzazz by adding a wedge of lime or lemon. This may improve the taste, and you just might drink more water than you usually do.
Do sugar-sweetened beverages count? Although beverages that are sweetened with sugars do provide water, they usually have more calories than unsweetened beverages. To help with weight control, you should consume beverages and foods that don't have added sugars. Examples of beverages with added sugars: •
Fruit drinks.
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Some sports drinks.
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Soft drinks and sodas (non-diet).
NUTRITION TOPIC TWO Dietary Fat What counts as fat? Are some fats better than other fats? While fats are essential for normal body function, some fats are better for you than others. Trans fats, saturated fats and cholesterol are less healthy than polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats.
How much t o t a l dietary fat do I need? The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005 recommend that Americans keep their total fat intake within certain limits. This limit is defined as a percentage of your total calorie needs. Age Group
Total Fat Limits
Children ages 2 to 3
30% to 35% of total calories
Children and adolescents ages 4 to 18 25% to 35% of total calories Adults, ages 19 and older
20% to 35% of total calories
You can meet this recommendation by following a healthy meal plan that meets your calorie needs and is designed to provide 20% to 35% of calories from total fat. The USDA Food Guide (My Pyramid.gov) and DASH eating plan are examples of healthy meal plans that can meet your calorie needs and provide the right amounts of fat. •
MyPyramid.gov lets you enter your age, sex, height, weight, and activity level to get a meal plan specific to your calorie needs.
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DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) Eating Plan provides a healthy eating plan with menu examples and recipes to get you started.
If you have children, you may be concerned about whether they should watch their fat intake. For proper growth, children and teens need healthy diets that provide the recommended fat intakes. Children less than 2 years of age need more calories due to rapid growth and development. For this reason, nonfat and low-fat milks are not recommended for children two years and under.
Quick Q& A If some fats are healthier than others, can I eat as much of these fats as I want? No, it's best to keep your total fat intake between 20 and 35% of your total calories each day. A healthy eating plan such as MyPyramid or the DASH eating plan contain between 20 and 35% of calories as fat. Check out these plans to get the right amounts of fat you need each day.
More Information on Fats •
Trans Fat
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Saturated Fat
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Cholesterol
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Polyunsaturated Fats and Monounsaturated Fats
Trans Fat You may have heard about trans fats recently in the news. These fats made headlines when food manufacturers were required to list them on the Nutrition Facts Label by 2006. So what's the story with trans fats? These fats are created during food processing when liquid oils are converted into semi-solid fats — a process called hydrogenation. This creates partially-hydrogenated oils that tend to keep food fresh longer while on grocery shelves. The problem is that these partially-hydrogenated oils contain trans fats which can also increase low-density lipoprotein LDL-cholesterol and decrease high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol — risk factors for heart disease. The Recommendation The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005 recommend keeping the amount of trans fat you consume as low as possible. Though some fried foods and commercially baked goods may contain trans fats, the good news is that some manufacturers have changed how they process foods to reduce the amounts of trans fats in their products. Be on the look out for foods that contain trans fats, such as commercially-baked cookies, crackers, and pies. Some commercial restaurants may also use partially-hydrogenated oils when frying their entrees and side items or preparing baking goods and spreads.
How do I control my t r a n s fat intake? Here are some ideas on how to reduce the trans fat in your diet: •
Look for the Trans fat listing on the Nutrition Facts label. Compare brands and choose the one lowest in trans fat, preferably with no trans fat.
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Replace margarine containing trans fat with unsaturated vegetable oil.
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If you use margarine, choose a soft margarine spread instead of stick margarine. Check your labels to be sure the soft margarine does contain less trans fat. If possible, find one that says zero grams of trans fat.
Saturated Fat You may have heard that saturated fats are the "solid" fats in your diet. For the most part, this is true. For example, if you open a container of meat stew, you will probably find some fat floating on top. This fat is saturated fat. The Recommendation Diets high in saturated fat have been linked to chronic disease, specifically, coronary heart disease. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005 recommend consuming less than 10% of daily calories as saturated fat. But other saturated fats can be more difficult to see in your diet. In general, saturated fat can be found in the following foods: •
High-fat cheeses
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High-fat cuts of meat
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Whole-fat milk and cream
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Butter
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Ice cream and ice cream products
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Palm and coconut oils
It's important to note that lower-fat versions of these foods usually will contain saturated fats, but typically in smaller quantities than the regular versions. As you look at this list above, notice two things. First, animal fats are a primary source of saturated fat. Secondly, certain plant oils are another source of saturated fats: palm oils, coconut oils, and cocoa butter. You may think you don't use palm or coconut oils, but they are often added to commercially-prepared foods, such as cookies, cakes, doughnuts, and pies. Solid vegetable shortening often contains palm oils and some whipped dessert toppings contain coconut oil.
How do I control my saturated fat intake? In general, saturated fat can be found in the following foods: •
High-fat cheeses
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High-fat cuts of meat
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Whole-fat milk and cream
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Butter
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Ice cream and ice cream products
So how can you cut back on your intake of saturated fats? Try these tips:
In a leaner cut of meat, such as the sirloin shown here, there is less marbling. Most of the fat is on the edges of the meat where you can easily trim it off.
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Choose leaner cuts of meat that do not have a marbled appearance (where the fat appears embedded in the meat). Leaner cuts include round cuts and sirloin cuts. Trim all visible fat off meats before eating.
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Remove the skin from chicken, turkey, and other poultry before cooking.
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When re-heating soups or stews, skim the solid fats from the top before heating.
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Drink low-fat (1%) or fat-free (skim) milk rather than whole or 2% milk.
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Buy low-fat or non-fat versions of your favorite cheeses and other milk or dairy products.
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When you want a sweet treat, reach for a low-fat or fat-free version of your favorite ice cream or frozen dessert. These versions usually contain less saturated fat.
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Use low-fat spreads instead of butter. Most margarine spreads contain less saturated fat than butter. Look for a spread that is low in saturated fat and doesn't contain trans fats.
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Choose baked goods, breads, and desserts that are low in saturated fat. You can find this information on the Nutrition Facts label.
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Pay attention at snack time. Some convenience snacks such as sandwich crackers contain saturated fat. Choose instead to have non-fat or low-fat yogurt and a piece of fruit.
Quick Q& A What should I choose— butter or margarine? Should I choose a stick, tub, or liquid? With such a variety of products available, it can be a difficult decision. Here are some general rules of thumb to help you compare products: Look at the Nutrition Facts label to compare both the trans fat and the saturated fat content. Choose the one that has the fewest grams of trans fat and the fewest grams of saturated fat and dietary cholesterol. If possible, find one that says zero grams of trans fat. When looking at the Daily Value for saturated fat and cholesterol remember that 5 percent is low and 20 percent is high. If you are also trying to reduce calories, you may want to look for a version that says "light." These products contain fewer calories and can help you stay within your calorie goals. If you find two products that seem comparable, try them both and choose the one that tastes better!
NUTRITION TOPIC THREE Dietary Cholesterol Cholesterol is a fatty substance that's found in animal-based foods such as meats, poultry, egg yolks, and whole milks. Do you remember the other type of fat that is found in animalbased products? That's right — saturated fat. The Recommendation The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005 recommend that individuals consume less than 300 milligrams (mg) of cholesterol each day. So, when you follow the tips to reduce your saturated fat intake, in most cases, you will be reducing your dietary cholesterol intake at the same time. For example, if you switch to low-fat and fat-free dairy products, you will reduce your intake of both saturated fat and cholesterol. Quick Q& A I've heard that some people have high blood cholesterol because of the foods they eat but that other people have high cholesterol because of genetics. What's the difference? Not only do you get cholesterol from the foods you eat (your diet) your body also makes cholesterol to use in normal body functions. The cholesterol made by your body is partly influenced by your genes and these genes are shared by your family members. Even though genetics play a role, families often also share the same eating and lifestyle habits. Some health problems that seem to run in families may be worsened by these unhealthful habits. If you have a genetic tendency to produce more cholesterol, you may still obtain additional benefits from reducing the cholesterol in your diet.
Cholesterol in Your Blood You may be reading this section about cholesterol because you have been diagnosed with high blood cholesterol, or you may have been told that your "good" cholesterol is too low, or that your "bad" cholesterol is too high. What does all this mean? Here are some quick definitions that may help you. You may also want to check out the links below for more detailed information.
Total Cholesterol. This is the total measured cholesterol in your blood. This number includes all other types of cholesterol such as HDL and LDL, as defined below. High blood cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease. It is important to know your numbers. You can't tell if the cholesterol in your blood is high by how you feel. You'll need a blood test from your healthcare provider to know. If you don't know what your blood cholesterol level is, talk to your health care provider. HDL. HDL stands for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The HDL cholesterol is often called "good" cholesterol because it helps carry cholesterol away from your body's organs and to your liver where it can be removed. To help you remember, that HDL is the "good" cholesterol, recall that the "H" stands for high and higher HDL cholesterol is good. LDL. LDL stands low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The LDL cholesterol is sometimes called "bad" cholesterol because it's the type of cholesterol that is linked with a higher chance of heart disease. Remember that L stands for "low" and you want to keep LDL lower in your blood.
What Is High Blood Cholesterol?
Too much cholesterol in the blood, or high blood cholesterol, can be serious. People with high blood cholesterol have a greater chance of getting heart disease. Cholesterol can build up on the walls of your arteries (blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to other parts of the body). This buildup of cholesterol is called plaque. Over time, plaque can cause narrowing of the arteries.
Polyunsaturated Fats and Monounsaturated Fats Most of the fat that you eat should come from unsaturated sources: polyunsaturated fats and monounsaturated fats. In general, nuts, vegetable oils, and fish are sources of unsaturated fats. The table below provides examples of specific types of unsaturated fats. Monounsaturated Fat Sources
Omega-6 Polyunsaturated Fat Sources
Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fat Sources
Nuts Vegetable oils Canola oil Olive oil High oleic safflower oil Sunflower oil Avocado
Soybean oil Corn oil Safflower oil
Soybean oil Canola oil Walnuts Flaxseed Fish: trout, herring, and salmon
Polyunsaturated fats can also be broken down into two types: •
Omega-6 polyunsaturated fats — these fats provide an essential fatty acid that our bodies need, but can't make.
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Omega-3 polyunsaturated fats — these fats also provide an essential fatty acid that our bodies need. In addition, omega-3 fatty acids, particularly from fish sources, may have potential health benefits.
How do I control my polyunsaturated fat and monounsaturated fat intake? In general, nuts, vegetable oils, and fish are sources of unsaturated fats. The table below provides examples of specific types of unsaturated fats. Monounsaturated Fat Sources Nuts Vegetable oils Canola oil Olive oil High oleic safflower oil Sunflower oil Avocado
Omega-6 Polyunsaturated Fat Sources
Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fat Sources
Soybean oil Corn oil Safflower oil
Soybean oil Canola oil Walnuts Flaxseed Fish: trout, herring, and salmon
Below are tips for including appropriate amounts of unsaturated fats in your diet: •
Replace solid fats used in cooking with liquid oils. Visit MyPyramid.gov "What's My Allowance?" to learn more about your daily recommendations.
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Remember any type of fat is high in calories. To avoid additional calories, substitute polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats for saturated fats and trans fats rather than adding these fats to your diet.
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Have an ounce of dry-roasted nuts as a snack. Nuts and seeds count as part of your meat and beans allowance on the MyPyramid plan.
Carbohydrates Not sure what to think about carbohydrates these days? You've come to the right section. Here are the facts to separate the hype from the truth about carbohydrates.
What are carbohydrates? Your body uses carbohydrates (carbs) to make glucose which is the fuel that gives you energy and helps keep everything going. Your body can use glucose immediately or store it in your liver and muscles for when it is needed. You can find carbohydrates in the following: •
Fruits
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Vegetables
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Breads, cereals, and other grains
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Milk and milk products
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Foods containing added sugars (e.g., cakes, cookies, and sugar-sweetened beverages).
Healthier foods higher in carbohydrates include ones that provide dietary fiber and whole grains as well as those without added sugars. What about foods higher in carbohydrates such as sodas and candies that also contain added sugars? Those are the ones that add extra calories but not many nutrients to your diet. Quick Q& A I've heard there are "good" carbs and "bad" carbs? Can you provide me more information?
Some diet books use "bad" carbs to talk about foods with refined carbohydrates (i.e., meaning they're made from white flour and added sugars). Examples include white bread, cakes, and cookies. "Good" carbs is used to describe foods that have more fiber and complex carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates are carbohydrates that take longer to break down into glucose. These terms aren't used in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005. Instead, the guidelines recommend choosing fiber-rich carbohydrate choices from the vegetable, fruit, and grain groups and avoid added sugars. It is also recommended that at least half of your daily grain choices are whole grains.
To learn more about a meal plan that includes fiber-rich carbohydrates, visit MyPyramid.gov With this plan, you can also choose to have small amounts of added sugars and count them as discretionary calories.
What are the types of carbohydrates? There are two main types of carbohydrates: •
Complex carbohydrates
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Simple carbohydrates
Complex Carbohydrates Starch and dietary fiber are the two types of complex carbohydrates. Starch must be broken down through digestion before your body can use it as a glucose source. Quite a few foods contain starch and dietary fiber such as breads, cereals, and vegetables: •
Starch is in certain vegetables (i.e., potatoes, dry beans, peas, and corn).
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Starch is also found in breads, cereals, and grains.
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Dietary fiber is in vegetables, fruits, and whole grain foods.
NUTRITION TOPIC FOUR Dietary Fiber You may have seen dietary fiber on the label listed as soluble fiber or insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber is found in the following: •
Oatmeal
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Oat bran
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Nuts and seeds
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Most fruits (e.g., strawberries, blueberries, pears, and apples)
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Dry beans and peas
Insoluble fiber found in the following: •
Whole wheat bread
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Barley
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Brown rice
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Couscous
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Bulgur or whole grain cereals
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Wheat bran
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Seeds
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Most vegetables
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Fruits
Which type is best? Both! Each has important health benefits so eat a variety of these foods to get enough of both. You're also more likely to get other nutrients that you might miss if you just chose 1 or 2 high-fiber foods. How much dietary fiber do I need each day? It's recommended that you get 14 grams of dietary fiber for every 1,000 calories that you consume each day. If you need 2,000 calories each day, you should try to include 28 grams of dietary fiber. To find out how many calories you need each day, visit MyPyramid.gov and enter your age,
sex, height, weight, and activity level in the My Pyramid Plan tool. Then refer to the Easy Fiber Estimator to find how many grams you need. Easy Dietary Fiber Estimator Daily calorie needs
Daily dietary fiber needs
1000
14 grams
1200
17 grams
1400
20 grams
1600
22 grams
1800
25 grams
2000
28 grams
2200
31 grams
2400
34 grams
2600
36 grams
2800
39 grams
3000
42 grams
At first, you may find it challenging to eat all of your daily fiber grams. Just take it slowly and try to choose higher-fiber foods more often. Over time, you'll gradually be eating more fiber! Try these tips to jumpstart your intake of dietary fiber:
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Choose whole fruits more often than fruit juice. Fresh, frozen, or canned—it doesn't matter— they all count!
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Try to eat two vegetables with your evening meal.
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Keep a bowl of veggies already washed and prepared your refrigerator—try carrots, cucumbers, or celery for a quick snack.
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Make a meal around dried beans or peas (also called legumes) instead of meat. Check www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov for some new ideas.
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Choose whole grain foods more often. Take a look at the "whole grains buzz words list" below to help you decide. A good guide is to make at least ½ of your grain choices be whole grains.
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Start your day with a whole grain breakfast cereal low in added sugar. Top your cereal with fruit for even more fiber. While bananas may come to your mind first, you can add even more variety by also trying sliced peaches or berries. You can often find these fruits year-round in the frozen foods section of your grocery store.
Whole Grains Whole grains are a good source of fiber and nutrients. Whole grains refer to grains that have all of the parts of the grain seed (sometimes called the kernel). These parts of the kernel are called the bran, the germ, and the endosperm. If the whole grain has been cracked, crushed, or flaked (as in cracked whole grain bread or flake cereal), then the whole grain must still have about the same proportions of bran, germ, and endosperm to be called a whole grain.1 When whole grains are processed, some of the dietary fiber and other important nutrients are removed. A processed grain is called a "refined" grain. Some refined grain products have key nutrients, such as folic acid and iron, which were removed during the initial processing and added back. These are called enriched grains. White rice and white bread are enriched grain products. Some enriched grain foods have extra nutrients added. These are called fortified grains.2
Whole Grain "Buzz Words"
The Dietary Guidelines for Am ericans recommend that you try to make at least half of your daily grain choices as whole grains.
You can find out if the food you are eating is made of whole grains by looking at the ingredients list of the food label. The whole grain should be the first ingredient listed. The following are some examples of how whole grains could be listed: •
brown rice
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buckwheat
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bulgur (cracked wheat)
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millet
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wild rice
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popcorn*
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quinoa
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triticale
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whole-grain barley
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whole-grain corn
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whole oats/oatmeal
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whole rye
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whole wheat
*Popcorn is a whole grain that can have added fat and salt. Try air-popping your popcorn to avoid these extras. If you're buying microwave popcorn, look for a lower-fat variety. You may also want to try the snack size bag to help with portion control.
Grains Galore! Here are some explanations of less-familiar grains:3 Bulgur. A staple of Middle Eastern dishes. Bulgur wheat consists of kernels that have been steamed, dried, and crushed. It has a tender and chewy texture. Millet. A staple grain in parts of Africa and Asia. Millet comes in several varieties and has a bland flavor that is a background to other seasonings. Quinoa. A grain that has been traditionally used in South American cuisine. Its texture has been compared to that of couscous. Triticale. A grain that is a hybrid of wheat and rye. It comes in several varieties including whole berry, flakes, and flour.
NUTRITION TOPIC FIVE Simple Carbohydrates Simple carbohydrates include sugars found naturally in foods such as fruits, vegetables milk, and milk products. Simple carbohydrates also include sugars added during food processing and refining.4 What's the difference? In general, foods with added sugars have fewer nutrients than foods with naturally-occurring sugars. How can I avoid added sugars? One way to avoid these sugars is to read the ingredient lists on food labels. Look for these ingredients as added sugars:5 •
Brown sugar
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Invert sugar
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Corn sweetener
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Lactose
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Corn syrup
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Maltose
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Dextrose
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Malt Syrup
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Fructose
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Molasses
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Fruit juice concentrates
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Raw sugar
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Glucose
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Sucrose
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High-fructose corn syrup
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Sugar
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Honey
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Syrup
If you see any of these in the ingredient list, you know the food has added sugars. The closer to the top of the list, the more of that sugar is in the food. You can learn more about sugars on the food label by visiting How to Understand and Use the Nutrition Facts Label. Other tips for avoiding added sugars include— •
Choose water instead of sugar-sweetened sodas.
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Choose 4 fluid ounces (1/2 cup) of 100% fruit juice rather than a fruit drink.
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Have a piece of fruit for dessert and skip desserts with added sugar.
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Choose breakfast cereals that contain no or less added sugars.
If you want to learn more about avoiding added sugar in what you drink, check out Rethink your Drink. You probably already know sugars and starches can play a role in causing cavities. But it's worth mentioning again, particularly as far as kids are concerned. Be sure to also brush, floss, and drink fluoridated water to help prevent cavities.
How much carbohydrate do I need? Your best approach is to follow a meal plan that gives you 45% to 65% of the calories as carbohydrates. How do you do this? Check out these two meal plans: MyPyramid.gov or DASH eating plan. Both of these can give you the calories you need and the right amounts of carbohydrate.
Protein What do you think about when you hear the word protein? Maybe it's an ad for some protein shake that promises massive muscles? Or is it the last high-protein diet craze you read about? With all this talk about protein, you might think Americans were at risk for not eating enough. In fact, most of us eat more protein than we need. Protein is in many foods that we eat on a regular basis. This section will help you learn more about protein. You'll find information about what foods have protein and what happens when we eat more protein than we need.
What is Protein? Proteins are part of every cell, tissue, and organ in our bodies. These body proteins are constantly being broken down and replaced. The protein in the foods we eat is digested into amino acids that are later used to replace these proteins in our bodies. Protein is found in the following foods: •
meats, poultry, and fish
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legumes (dry beans and peas)
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tofu
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eggs
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nuts and seeds
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milk and milk products
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grains, some vegetables, and some fruits (provide only small amounts of protein relative to other sources)
As we mentioned, most adults in the United States get more than enough protein to meet their needs. It's rare for someone who is healthy and eating a varied diet to not get enough protein.
What are the types of protein? Proteins are made up of amino acids. Think of amino acids as the building blocks. There are 20 different amino acids that join together to make all types of protein. Some of these amino acids can't be made by our bodies, so these are known as essential amino acids. It's essential that our diet provide these. In the diet, protein sources are labeled according to how many of the essential amino acids they provide: •
A complete protein source is one that provides all of the essential amino acids. You may also hear these sources called high quality proteins. Animal-based foods; for example, meat, poultry, fish, milk, eggs, and cheese are considered complete protein sources.
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An incomplete protein source is one that is low in one or more of the essential amino acids. Complementary proteins are two or more incomplete protein sources that together provide adequate amounts of all the essential amino acids.
For example, rice contains low amounts of certain essential amino acids; however, these same essential amino acids are found in greater amounts in dry beans. Similarly, dry beans contain lower amounts of other essential amino acids that can be found in larger amounts in rice. Together, these two foods can provide adequate amounts of all the essential amino acids the body needs. Quick Q& A Is it true that complementary proteins must be eaten together to count as a complete protein source? In the past, it was thought that these complementary proteins needed to be eaten at the same meal for your body to use them together. Now studies show that your body can combine complementary proteins that are eaten within the same day.1
How much protein do I need? Maybe you've wondered how much protein you need each day. In general, it's recommended that 10–35% of your daily calories come from protein. Below are the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for different age groups.
Recommended Dietary Allowance for Protein Grams of protein needed each day Children ages 1 – 3
13
Children ages 4 – 8
19
Children ages 9 – 13
34
Girls ages 14 – 18
46
Boys ages 14 – 18
52
Women ages 19 – 70+
46
Men ages 19 – 70+
56
Here are examples of amounts of protein in food: •
1 cup of milk has 8 grams of protein
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A 3-ounce piece of meat has about 21 grams of protein
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1 cup of dry beans has about 16 grams of protein
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An 8-ounce container of yogurt has about 11 grams of protein
Added together, just these four sources would meet the protein needs of an adult male (56 grams). This doesn't count all the other foods that add smaller amounts of protein to his diet. Rather than just focusing on your protein needs, choose an overall healthy eating plan that provides the protein you need as well as other nutrients. MyPyramid.gov is a Web site that lets you enter your age, sex, height, weight, and activity level to determine your calorie needs and get a customized meal plan right for you. This plan will also tell you the amounts you need from the meat and beans group and the milk group, which are foods to help meet your protein needs.
DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) Eating Plan provides a healthy eating plan with menu examples and recipes to get you started.
Is there any harm in getting more protein than I need? Most people eat more protein than they need without harmful effects However, protein contributes to calorie intake, so if you eat more protein than you need, your overall calorie intake could be greater than your calorie needs and contribute to weight gain. Besides that, animal sources of protein can be sources of saturated fat which has been linked to elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, a risk factor for heart disease. In addition, for people with certain kidney diseases, a lower-protein diet may be recommended to help prevent an impairment in kidney function. To help you get the amounts of protein you need: •
Compare the amount of meat, poultry, fish, eggs, legumes, nuts, and seeds you are eating per day to what is recommended. As an example, if you refer to MyPyramid.gov, a 48-year-old female who is active less than 30 minutes a day only needs about 5 ounces each day from the meat and beans group. Some pre-cut slices of meat and poultry, such as a pork chop or chicken breast, can be four to five ounces each. You can see how it would be easy to eat too much.
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Save your money and don't buy the protein supplements. If you're healthy, you probably get all the protein you need from your diet.
To help you make lower-fat protein choices — •
Choose meats that are leaner cuts and trim away any fat you can see. For chicken and turkey, remove the skin to reduce fat.
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Substitute pinto or black beans for meat in chili and tacos.
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Choose low-fat or fat-free milk and yogurt.
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Choose low-fat or fat-free cheese.
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Choose egg whites or pasteurized egg white products.
What if I am a vegetarian? Because some vegetarians avoid eating all (or most) animal foods, they must rely on plantbased sources of protein to meet their protein needs. With some planning, a vegetarian diet can easily meet the recommended protein needs of adults and children.
Vitamins and Minerals Vitamins are organic substances (made by plants or animals), minerals are inorganic elements that come from the earth; soil and water and are absorbed by plants. Animals and humans absorb minerals from the plants they eat. Vitamins and minerals are nutrients that your body needs to grow and develop normally. Vitamins and minerals, have a unique role to play in maintaining your health. For example Vitamin D helps your body absorb the amount of calcium (a mineral) it needs to form strong bones. A deficiency in vitamin D can result in a disease called rickets (softening of the bones caused by the bodies inability to absorb the mineral calcium.) The body cannot produce calcium; therefore, it must be absorbed through our food. Other minerals like chromium, copper, iodine, iron, selenium, and zinc are called trace minerals because you only need very small amounts of them each day. The best way to get enough vitamins is to eat a balanced diet with a variety of foods. You can usually get all your vitamins from the foods you eat.
Fruits and Vegetables "Eat your fruits and vegetables." You've likely heard this statement since childhood. Research shows why it is good advice:
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Healthy diets rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases.
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Fruits and vegetables also provide essential vitamins and minerals, fiber, and other substances that are important for good health.
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Most fruits and vegetables are naturally low in fat and calories and are filling.
NUTRITION TOPIC SIX
Food Label Helps Consumers Make Healthier Choices Consumers often compare prices of food items in the grocery store to choose the best value for their money. But comparing items using the food label can help them choose the best value for their health. The food label identifies a variety of information about a product, such as the ingredients, net weight, and nutrition facts. “The food label is one of the most valuable tools consumers have,” says Barbara Schneeman, Ph.D., Director of the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) Office of Nutrition, Labeling and Dietary Supplements. “The food label gives consumers the power to compare foods quickly and easily so they can judge for themselves which products best fit their dietary needs.” For example, someone with high blood pressure who needs to watch salt (sodium) intake may be faced with five different types of tomato soup on the shelf, says Schneeman. You can quickly and easily compare the sodium content of each product by looking at the part of the label that lists nutrition information (Nutrition Facts Label) to choose the one with the lowest sodium content. FDA regulations require nutrition information to appear on most foods, and any claims on food products must be truthful and not misleading. In addition, “low sodium,” “reduced fat,” and “high fiber” must meet strict government definitions. FDA has defined other terms used to describe the content of a nutrient, such as “low,” “reduced,” “high,” “free,” “lean,” “extra lean,” “good source,” “less,” “light,” and “more.” So a consumer who wants to reduce sodium intake can be assured that the manufacturer of a product claiming to be “low sodium” or “reduced in sodium” has met these definitions. But you don’t have to memorize the definitions. Just look at the Nutrition Facts Label to compare the claims of different products with similar serving sizes. Nutrient Highs and Lows Most nutrients must be declared on the Nutrition Facts Label as “percent Daily Value” (%DV), which tells the percent of the recommended daily intake in a serving of that product and helps the consumer create a balanced diet. The %DV allows you to see at a glance if a product has a high or low amount of a nutrient. The rule of thumb is 20% DV or more is high and 5% DV or less is low. Health experts recommend keeping your intake of saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol as low as possible because these nutrients may increase your risk for heart disease. This is where the %DV on the Nutrition Facts Label can be helpful, says
Schneeman. There is no %DV for trans fat, but you can use the label to find out whether the saturated fat and cholesterol are high or low, she says. When comparing products, look at the total amount of saturated fat plus trans fat to find the one lowest in both of these types of fat. For beneficial nutrients, like fiber or calcium, you can use the %DV to choose products that contain higher amounts. Research has shown that eating a diet rich in fiber may lower your chances of getting heart disease and some types of cancer. And eating foods containing calcium may help lower your risk of getting the bone-weakening disease, osteoporosis. Confusing Claims The terms “natural,” “healthy,” and “organic” often cause confusion. “Consumers seem to think that ‘natural’ and ‘organic’ imply ‘healthy,’” says Schneeman. “But these terms have different meanings from a regulatory point of view.” According to FDA policy, “natural” means the product does not contain synthetic or artificial ingredients. “Healthy,” which is defined by regulation, means the product must meet certain criteria that limit the amounts of fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium, and require specific minimum amounts of vitamins, minerals, or other beneficial nutrients. Food labeled “organic” must meet the standards set by the Department of Agriculture (USDA). Organic food differs from conventionally produced food in the way it is grown or produced. But USDA makes no claims that organically produced food is safer or more nutritious than conventionally produced food. For example, says Schneeman, “A premium ice cream could be ‘natural’ or ‘organic’ and still be high in fat or saturated fat, so would not meet the criteria for ‘healthy.’” Ask and You May Receive Most packaged foods are required by law to carry nutrition labeling. This labeling is voluntary for many raw foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and fish. FDA encourages stores that sell raw foods to display or distribute, near these foods, nutrition information to shoppers. To make it easy for retailers, FDA has created colorful posters that can be downloaded and printed from its Web site. The posters show nutrition information for the 20 most frequently consumed raw fruits, vegetables, and fish in the United States. “If the nutrition information is not displayed for these raw foods, we want consumers to ask, ‘where’s the nutrition information on your fresh products?’” says Camille Brewer, Deputy Director of FDA’s Office of Nutrition, Labeling and Dietary Supplements. Industry responds to consumer demand, says Brewer. “Industry tells us all the time, ‘if consumers ask, we’ll give it to them.’”
FDA also encourages consumers to request nutrition information in full-service or fastfood restaurants. This information would help consumers make healthier choices outside the home, where Americans now spend nearly half of their total food budget, according to the National Restaurant Association and USDA’s Economic Research Service. Providing nutrition information for restaurant food is voluntary unless a nutrient content claim or a health claim is made for a menu item or meal. A nutrient content claim might be “low in fat,” and a health claim might be “heart healthy.” If such claims are made, the restaurant is required to give customers the appropriate nutrition information for these items when requested. This information does not have to be on the menu or on a menu board that’s clearly visible to the consumer. The restaurant has the option of offering this information in various ways, such as in a brochure. Many food service establishments have nutrition information for their offerings and will provide the information on the Internet or to customers who request it. Controlling your weight calls for more than just choosing a healthy variety of foods. It also calls for looking at how much and how often you eat. A “portion” is how much food you choose to eat at one time, whether in a restaurant, from a package, or in your own kitchen. A “serving” size is the amount of food listed on a product’s Nutrition Facts. Sometimes, the portion size and serving size match; sometimes they do not. Keep in mind that the serving size on the Nutrition Facts is not a recommended amount of food to eat. It is a quick way of letting you know the calories and nutrients in a certain amount of food. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Nutrition Facts information is printed on most packaged foods. It tells you how many calories and how much fat, carbohydrate, sodium, and other nutrients are available in one serving of food. Most packaged foods contain more than a single serving. The serving sizes that appear on food labels are based on FDA-established lists of foods. The portion size that you are used to eating may be equal to two or three standard servings. Take a look at the Nutrition Facts for macaroni and cheese. The serving size is 1 cup, but the package actually has 2 cups of this food product. If you eat the entire package, you are eating two servings of macaroni and cheese—and double the calories, fat, and other nutrients in a standard serving. Nutrition Facts To see how many servings a package has, check the “servings per container” listed on its Nutrition Facts. You may be surprised to find that small containers often have more than one serving inside. Learning to recognize standard serving sizes can help you judge how much you are eating.
When cooking at home, look at the serving sizes listed on the Nutrition Facts for the packaged food products you eat. Use measuring cups and spoons to put the suggested serving size on your plate before you start eating. This will help you see what one standard serving of that food looks like compared to how much you normally eat. It may also help to compare serving sizes to every day objects. For example, Âź cup of raisins is about the size of a large egg. Three ounces of meat or poultry is about the size of a deck of cards. See other serving size comparisons below. (Keep in mind that these size comparisons are approximations.)
ServingSizes
EverydayObjects
1 cup of cereal = a fist
½ cup of cooked rice, pasta, or potato = ½ baseball
1 baked potato = a fist
1 ½ ounces of low-fat or fat-free cheese = 4 stacked dice
2 table spoons of peanut butter = a ping-pong ball
½ cup of ice cream = ½ baseball
Another way to keep track of your portions is to use a food diary. Keeping track of when, what, how much, where, and why you eat can help you be aware of the amount of food you are eating and the times you tend to eat too much. A food diary can be kept in a notebook, on your cell phone, or online. If you tend to eat when you are not hungry, try doing something else, like taking a break to walk around the block or calling a friend, instead of eating. You could also try doing something with your hands, such as knitting, drawing, or playing cards. If the craving hits you while you are at work, try drinking water or herbal tea without sugar. Through your diary, you can become aware of the times and reasons you eat too much, which can help as you try to make different choices in the future.
How Can I Control Portions at Home? You do not need to measure and count everything you eat for the rest of your life—just do this long enough to recognize typical serving sizes. Try the ideas listed below to help you control portions at home. •Take the amount of food that is equal to one serving, according to the Nutrition Facts, and eat it off a plate instead of eating straight out of a large box or bag. •Avoid eating in front of the TV or while busy with other activities. Pay attention to what you are eating, chew your food well, and fully enjoy the smell and taste of your foods. •Eat slowly so your brain can get the message that your stomach is full. •Try using smaller dishes, bowls, and glasses. This way, when you fill up your plate or glass, you will be eating and drinking less. •To control your intake of the higher-fat, higher-calorie parts of a meal, take seconds of vegetables and salads (watch the toppings) instead of desserts and dishes with heavy sauces. •When cooking in large batches, freeze food that you will not serve right away. This way, you will not be tempted to finish eating the whole batch before the food goes bad. And you will have ready-made food for another day. Freeze leftovers in amounts that you can use for a single serving or for a family meal another day. •Try to eat meals at regular intervals. Skipping meals or leaving large gaps of time between meals may lead you to eat larger amounts of food the next time that you eat.
•When buying snacks, go for single-serving prepackaged items and foods that are lower-calorie options. If you buy larger bags or boxes of snacks, divide the items into single-serve packages. •Make snacks count. Eating many high-calorie snacks throughout the day may lead to weight gain. Replace snacks like chips and soda with snacks such as low-fat or fatfree yogurt, smoothies, fruit, or whole-grain crackers. •When you do have a treat like chips or ice cream, measure out ½ cup of ice cream or 1 ounce of chips, as indicated by the Nutrition Facts, eat it slowly, and enjoy it!