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It's a New Day in Public Health.

The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.

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Healthy Recipes

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  •  850-316-2752
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    Mailing Address

    Fairfield Service Center, 1295 West Fairfield Drive, Pensacola, Florida 32501 

     

     

Let’s Talk About Eating Well

Eating a balance of healthy foods is one of the biggest factors in maintaining a healthy weight and having better health overall. Use MyPlate to create a healthy eating routine to benefit your health now and in the future. Small swaps like switching out refined grains like white rice for whole grains like brown rice can make a big impact. Reducing portion sizes and adding in more fresh fruits and vegetables lets you enjoy your favorite foods while limiting unhealthy amounts of salt, sugar and fat. 

Believe it or not, there are plenty of ways to eat healthier and still enjoy your favorites! Here are some helpful tips to try:

  • Make a list of fruits and veggies you enjoy eating. Next time you’re at the grocery store, add some of those to your cart instead of snacks high in salt or sugar like chips or pastries.
  • Choose less processed foods and ingredients. Try including more whole foods (fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and legumes) instead of processed foods. For example, swap the sweet potato casserole with marshmallow topping for sweet potatoes roasted with fall spices like cinnamon and cloves.
  • More protein, lower carbohydrates. Your body digests protein slower than carbohydrates, making you feel fuller for longer and having less impact on your blood sugar levels. Try loading up on turkey for more protein, and when you are going to eat carbohydrates, you can make low-carb swaps like mashed cauliflower instead of mashed potatoes or a walnut-based stuffing instead of a bread-based stuffing.
  • Eat smaller portions. Instead of skipping your favorite foods, try eating smaller portions. You can prepare food in batches of individual portions or pack up leftover food soon after you’re done eating so you’re not tempted to go back for more. Using a smaller plate can also help you manage portion sizes. If you have diabetes check out CDC’s Diabetes Meal Planning for more tips on planning your portions.

Incorporating these healthy options as small swaps throughout the year can help you create a healthy lifestyle without having to completely give up eating the things you love.