10 Foods to Help You with Balanced Eating
Eating balanced meals is not always easy, but as a partner of the Together Counts™ program, Healthy Dining Finder is here to give you advice for how to reach your goals. Here are 10 foods that are signing on to help you reap nutritious benefits from food including lower blood cholesterol, lower blood pressure, lower risk of diabetes, more energy to do what you love:
Avocado –This guy adds healthy fats and a creamy texture to your menu choices and can dress up anything from salads to sandwiches while satisfying hunger and cravings.
Almond – The darling of nutrition experts everywhere, thanks to almonds’ ability to satisfy hunger in a small and oh-so-flavorful package. Add to oatmeal and salads or keep almonds on hand for a great snack to-go.
Apple – You definitely want this queen of fiber in your corner when it comes to portable foods that pack a nutritious punch.
Mushroom – This veggie does double duty in your diet. In addition to being low in calories, it has B vitamins that are great for a healthy metabolism.
Rye – Sure, lots of grains can help keep you feeling full, but this flavor-packed grain has especially been shown to help with weight management, thanks to fiber and a lower glycemic index.
Leafy Greens – Vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytochemicals and fiber make these a must for any meal and you have plenty of options from spinach or lettuce to kale!
Egg – Protein can be a key to helping you manage weight, and boy, do eggs have it! Mix your eggs with veggies like Leafy Greens and Mushroom and serve with Rye toast for a satisfying wholesome meal.
Yogurt – Yogurt is a tasty way to add protein to snacks and meals for lower fat choices that keep you feeling full longer.
Edamame – Not only is Edamame easy to have on hand for a quick protein-rich snack, but it’s also low in sodium, saturated fat and is cholesterol free.
Dark Chocolate – Weight management would be even harder if we didn’t leave room for some sweet indulgences, like Dark Chocolate. A nibble of dark chocolate can help keep you from feeling deprived while also treating you to some feel good endorphins.
Healthy Dining provides Americans with the digital tools and resources necessary to find the best restaurant choices for their dietary goals and healthy lifestyles. President and founder Anita Jones-Mueller, MPH, launched Healthy Dining in San Diego, CA, in 1991 by combining the brainpower and creativity of chefs, restaurateurs, health experts, registered dietitians and communication strategists. Now, in collaboration with the National Restaurant Association and scores of partner organizations, the Healthy Dining Program has grown to become the most powerful restaurant industry nutrition initiative in the nation. Healthy Dining’s signature website, HealthyDiningFinder.com, enables millions of nutrition-conscious restaurant diners, as well as those dealing with diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and other nutrition-related conditions, to easily find dietitian-recommended Healthy Dining and Kids LiveWell choices served at more than 60,000 restaurant locations. For more information please visit www.HealthyDiningFinder.com.
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