Food connects us to each other, it’s part of celebrations, and a cornerstone of culture. Food is also how we fuel our bodies, and an important part of fueling your body is choosing foods that provide good nutrition. Unfortunately, most people are not eating enough of the essential nutrients and food groups their body needs. For many, it can feel hard to fit in nutrient-dense foods, especially when you’re short on time and still want great taste. Our Nutrition & Health Sciences team shares tips for making good nutrition a little easier—and even more delicious.
Potassium is an essential part of a healthy eating pattern and can be found in many fruits and vegetables. The daily value for potassium is 4,700mg per day, but on average, people only eat about half of that. Choosing foods with potassium can help you get closer to the recommended amount. Here are some of our team’s favorite ways to fit in more throughout the day.
We all know that eating fruits and vegetables is good for us, but it can be hard to do. About 90% of Americans don’t eat enough veggies each day, and even more don’t eat enough red and orange varieties like carrots, sweet potatoes, winter squash, and (our favorite) tomatoes. Eating a variety of vegetables helps people eat a wider range of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, we should eat about 5.5 cups of red/orange vegetables per week. Here’s how you can eat more:
Nutrient-dense whole grains and other high fiber foods are an important part of a healthy diet. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 98% of people do not eat the recommended 48g of whole grains a day. Similarly, the daily value for fiber is 28g per day, but on average people eat only about 17g. Here are some simple ways to get more fiber and nutrients from eating whole grains, nuts and seeds, fruits, beans, and other veggies.
Good nutrition should be convenient and delicious. We hope these tips inspire you to fit in more foods and drinks that nourish you. Check out our Healthy Diet Meal Planner and this article on easy ways to eat more fruits and veggies for more nutrition tips.