Health Department recommends 'Get your plate in shape' in March

DUPAGE COUNTY--The DuPage County Health Department encourages everyone to observe National Nutrition Month in March and "Get Your Plate in Shape."

The health department offers the following recommendations:

Make half of your plate fruits and vegetables:

• Eat a variety of vegetables, especially dark-green, red and orange varieties, as well as beans and peas.

• When buying canned vegetables, choose "reduced sodium" or "no salt added" whenever possible. Rinsing whole varieties like beans, corn and peas can also reduce sodium levels.

• Make sure every meal and snack has at least one fruit or vegetable or both.

Make sure at least half of your grains are whole grains:

• Choose brown rice, barley and oats and other whole grains for your sides and ingredients.

• Switch to 100-percent whole-grain breads, cereals and crackers.

• Check the ingredients list on food packages to find foods that are made with whole grains.

Vary your protein choices:

• Eat a variety of foods each week from the protein food group like seafood, nuts and beans, as well as lean meat, poultry and eggs.

• At least twice a week, make fish and seafood the protein on your plate.

• Keep meat and poultry portions lean and limited to three ounces per meal.

For more information on the DuPage County Health Department, follow us on Twitter @DuPageHD or become a fan on Facebook.

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