Eat well to live well

It’s been said that you are what you eat. So, to stay healthy, it’s important to be mindful of what you put on your plate.

If you’re trying to lose weight, it can be tempting to try out a fad diet, but these are often too strict to be realistic for most people — and may even deprive you of certain nutrients.

What does a healthy eating plan look like?

A healthy diet is well-balanced and doesn’t restrict you from ever enjoying your favorite foods. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)* notes that a healthy diet:

• Emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products

• Includes lean meat, poultry, fish, beans, eggs and nuts

• Is low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars

• Stays within your calorie needs

You can learn more about healthy eating at www.MyPlate.gov. Remember, it’s always a good idea to talk with your doctor or other health care provider before making any drastic adjustments to your diet.

Take advantage of resources available to you

Your insurance plan may include health and wellness programs that can support you in improving your eating habits. To see what’s available through your specific plan, log into My Health Toolkit^® and look under the Wellness tab. Or use the mobile app, available through the App Store or Google Play.