What's on Your Plate?

• By Beth Meirav
• My Blog

Did you know March is National Nutrition Month.  A half century ago (just about) this month-long ode to nutrition got started. It's definitely gained momentum over the years. Dare I say it's even cool to eat healthy these days? Making healthy food choices has transformative powers! Seriously.

A good diet can improve all aspects of your life from brain function (do you forget why you walked into a room?) to physical performance (even in the bedroom!).

What should your plate look like? First of all let's start with plate size. If you use a smaller plate you will eat less. It works! Try it!

Now I want you to take a look at what's on your plate. Is it balanced? Did you know you should be eating 2 to 3 cups of fruits and vegetables per day? I know you can handle this. You may even love it!

You want to make sure you are getting the fruits and veggies I mentioned above, a small helping of fat (finger size- avocado, olive oil, nuts for example), a fist- sized amount of protein (seafood or beans are always good options), 3 oz per day of whole grains (I love quinoa and farro). Adding in some whole milk Greek yogurt gives you the fat your body needs along with the live cultures essential to your gut (not to mention all that calcium!).

By the way, if you have kids you should start them in the practice of making good food choices NOW! Let them emulate you. Show them how much you love to eat healthy, whole foods. Whole foods are packed with nutrients rather than empty calories. Their attitude towards food starts at a very young age. Teach them to feel empowered in their selections.