Food gives you the energy and nutrients that you need to be healthy. It is important to make healthy decisions when picking out the food you eat. To start making healthy decisions, here are some tips that might help:

Focus on fruits - if you are craving something sweet, see what fruits are in season around you. This can save you money. Try dried fruits like cranberries, mango, apricots, cherries, or raisins.

Try vegetables! - Try adding a new vegetable to a meal every day. Start with adding baby carrots or green beans to salads. Try a low-fat dip, like hummus, with broccoli, red or yellow peppers, celery, or cauliflower. 

Include grains - Try making whole grain pasta instead of regular pasta. Try low-fat popcorn instead of popcorn with butter. Try whole grain cereal instead of sugary cereal.

Eat lean meats for your daily protein - Try to eat more chicken, fish, and beans. Pack nuts or seeds to snack on while you are on the go.

Here are some unhealthy foods you should try to avoid or limit:

Salt - sometimes called sodium, salt can be found in processed foods, like microwavable meals and bacon

Saturated fat - try grilling, broiling, or baking your food. This does not add extra fat

Sugar - Share your cakes and cookies. Try to choose water over sodas and sports drinks.

For more information about how to eat healthy, join the Health and Wellness Library via Zoom on Tuesday, January 19th at noon for a free workshop, Healthy Eating at Home presented by Hayley Billingsley, registered dietician, VCU Health.  Hayley will discuss strategies and tips for sustaining healthier nutrition habits at home. To register, visit: https://vcu.libcal.com/event/7328196

Visit the Health and Wellness Library on the ground floor of the VCU Health Gateway Building in room G-112, or follow us on Facebook to learn more about healthy eating and other health topics.