Healthy Eating Plan Sci 241

Healthy Eating Plan

A personal healthy eating plan is essential for each individual. Because there are so many choices and variables in each diet, the importance of healthy decisions is increased. Analyzing current eating habits, making a plan and committing to acting on that plan will help my body to function properly.

My current eating habits are made up of a majority of healthy choices. I always eat breakfast which is an important part of maintaining a healthy weight. My breakfast consists of a nutrient rich cereal accompanied by low fat milk and a fruit. This carbohydrate and protein rich intake allows me to begin my day with energy that is sustained through the morning hours. Lunch is the area in which my eating habits can use improvements. I have two children, a four year old and two month old, which makes preparing meals challenging. Due to the amount of care necessary for the baby, my lunch is often over looked. The result is unhealthy habit of snacking through lunch with packaged cereal bars, granola bars, poptarts and other various ready-to-eat snacks. This choice impacts the rest of my diet by providing empty calories and by only satisfying my hunger for an hour or two. Throughout the afternoon I generally eat fruit and yogurt. Dinner is most frequently a well rounded home cooked meal. Meat, starch, and vegetable are the regular components for our dinner. The habit of eating at home allows control over the salt added and amount of preservatives in our food. While not all of my eating habits are healthy, I do have variety and moderation in my diet.

Building a healthy eating plan is important to maintaining my health. According to the recommendations from MyPyramid, it is necessary for me to increase my calorie intake and also my vegetable servings. An increase of vegetables will ensure that I have enough nutrients and vitamins. Nutrients provide stable energy and help to regulate body processes (TEXT). Monitoring my dietary intake for the past week...