Food Guide Pyramid

Check out the MyPyramid handout and explain what an ideal diet looks like for the participant.

What is a "Healthy Diet?"

• Emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fat–free or low–fat milk and milk products
• Includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts
• Is low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars.
• Does not exceed 2,000 calories per day.

Check out the Daily Food Record handout and help participant identify her personal eating habits (as discussed in the beginning of the section) and encourage her to fill out the form for the next 24 hours to help visualize improvements and areas where she’s struggling.

Don’t Forget to Stay Hydrated!

• A normal, healthy adult should drink eight 8–ounce glasses of water a day.
• Replacing juice and soda with water will help keep you properly hydrated and cut back on your intake of empty calories
• The color of your urine is a good way to tell if you’re drinking enough water; light to clear urine signifies healthy water intake.

Good to Know

• When you are pregnant, you only need 300 more calories per day to support the baby’s growth and development.
• Grocery stores are designed so that healthy foods are placed near the outer walls. Avoiding center aisles can help you make nutritous choices.

Instructor Tips:
Identify the participant’s current diet and exercise habits in order to establish healthy diet and exercise goals.