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.

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. This section helps explains food groups and provides some healthy eating plans. Water is is involved in every function of the body. It’s in every cell, tissue and organ of the body. In this section you’ll learn why getting enough water everyday is important for your health. Whether you’re looking for information about monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, saturated fat, trans fat, or cholesterol, you’ll find what you need here. You may be wondering what all the hype is about carbohydrates or “carbs” as they are often called. Find out the facts. Then there’s protein. How much do you really need? Can you get too much? You’ll find answers to these questions and more by visiting this section. Vitamins and minerals are nutrients your body needs to grow and develop normally. The NIH Vitamin and Mineral Supplement Fact Sheets provide information about the role of vitamins and minerals in health and disease.

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. 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.

The grains are composed of whole wheat bread and rolls, whole wheat pasta, English muffin, pita bread, bagel, cereals, grits, oatmeal, brown rice, unsalted pretzels and popcorn,

Now the fruits are composed of apples, apricots, bananas, dates, grapes, oranges, grapefruit, grapefruit juice, mangoes, melons, peaches, pineapples, raisins, strawberries, tangerines, and 100% fruit juice.

The Vegetable group are composed of broccoli, carrots, collards, green beans, green peas, kale, lima beans, potatoes, spinach, squash, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes.

Fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products consist of 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, group includes 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 group includes almonds, hazelnuts, mixed nuts, peanuts, walnuts, sunflower seeds, peanut butter, kidney beans, lentils, and split peas.

So now that you have the official food groups, you are now equipped with the tools to improve your health. Keep the list somewhere close and use it.

Tags : Health Care, Nutrition