Get Nutrient Rich Quick
Here in the United States, we are at a crossroads in how we think about healthy eating. For decades, nutrition advice has focused most on what nutrients people should limit. But this hasn’t been effective; most Americans today not only are overweight, but also undernourished.
It’s time to nourish our bodies and restore balance to our diets with the Nutrient Rich Foods approach. To eat the nutrient-rich way, consider all of the nutrients and minerals in a food or beverage: Look at how many beneficial nutrients it contains, such as vitamins, minerals, protein and fiber, as well as the amount of nutrients to avoid, such as fat, sugar and salt.
“Nutrient-rich” is a term used to describe a food or beverage with a high amount of nutrients per calorie. Nutrient-rich foods provide a significant amount of beneficial nutrients and relatively few calories.
For example, a snack of an apple and lowfat milk is a more nutrient-rich choice than a diet soda and pretzels. Although the apple and milk may have slightly more fat and calories, they also offer more nutrients than the soda and pretzels.
Nutrient-rich foods include foods from all five food groups: milk, fruits, vegetables, grains and meat and beans.
The Nutrient Rich Foods approach is a positive, realistic way to think about eating: It shifts the focus from foods to avoid to foods you can enjoy. Since nutrient-rich foods are familiar and easy to find, healthy eating isn’t difficult or stressful.
The Web site NutrientRichFoods.org includes tips and tools for helping people build and enjoy a nutrient-rich lifestyle.