FOOD GROUPS ~ GO ORGANIC

Grains

A minimum of three ounces of grains should be eaten on a daily basis. Examples are oats, barley, rice and wheat. Whole grains have more fiber than refined grains. Although refined grains are often enriched with vitamins and iron, whole grains should be eaten more frequently because they contain more fiber. Most adults should eat between 6- and 8-ounce equivalents of grains per day. For example, one slice of bread counts as one ounce.

Vegetables

 

                              



All vegetables, especially dark green and orange varieties, are vital to a healthy diet. Vegetables may be eaten raw, canned, frozen, cooked or dried. Dark green vegetables include spinach, some types of lettuce and broccoli. Orange vegetables include carrots, squash and sweet potatoes. Other good choices include peas, black beans, tofu and cucumbers. Most adults should consume 2.5 to 3 cups of vegetables per day.

Fruit

 

Any fruit or 100 percent fruit juice should be consumed on a daily basis. Fruits may be canned, dried, fresh or frozen. Popular fruits include apples, oranges and bananas. Fruit juice is a good choice, provided it contains no additional flavoring or additives. Most adults should eat between 1.5 and 2 cups of fruit per day.

  

Calcium

 

Milk and cheese are excellent sources of calcium, and there are other ways of consuming it if one is lactose intolerant. Dairy products should be chosen that are low or non-fat. Soy beverages or dairy substitutes contain calcium but are lacking in other important nutrients, which need to be made up elsewhere in your diet. Adults should consume 3 cups of dairy products or substitutes each day

Meat and Beans

Meat, fish, poultry, eggs, dry beans and nuts are important sources of protein. Meat and poultry chosen should be low in fat. Other sources of protein and healthy oils, such as nuts and fish, should be consumed more often for their health benefits. Processed meats should be avoided, as they are high in sodium. Adults should eat between 5 and 6.5 ounce equivalents of the protein group each day

Oils

OLIVE OILS, HEMP OIL, FLAX OIL.

Oils from sources such as fish, vegetable oil and nuts are an essential to a diet. Oils from butter, shortening and margarine should be eaten in moderation. A good way to determine the type of oil your are consuming is that "good" oils are liquid at room temperature, while "bad" oils are solid at room temperature. No more than 6 or 7 teaspoons of oil should be eaten per day